Holiday gift ideas, whether for a birthday, an anniversary, a graduation, or a year-end holiday like Christmas, come in handy for all of us. It is one thing to set aside some time and money to give a gift, but choosing the right gift for the right person can be a monumentally challenging task. But magazines are a great gift idea that is too often neglected.

Unlike a sweater, tie, or scarf, magazines don't go out of style. They keep up with the changes and the times, and a magazine that was launched 50 years ago is still as current and fashionable as one launched this year. And while most of us can pry and inquire of our friends or family members to try to figure out what to give them, those who give magazines can find out without even asking. All you have to do is look around the house to see what your recipient has been reading, and the information is complete. Just go out and subscribe to their favorite magazines, have them delivered to the door, and you will never have to worry about them returning it to the store for another size or a refund.

And magazine subscription giving is one of the few presents that keep on giving, all year long. If you get a subscription gift, you can open it in monthly installments for 12 months, with each new issue of the magazine representing a portion of your time-released gift. And sometimes you can give a subscription that lasts two or three years, which allows you to give a gift that really endures, long after other gifts are forgotten.

One nice way to present a magazine gift is to buy a current copy of the magazine and wrap it, along with a greeting card explaining that there will be more monthly issues coming throughout the year. And if you get into the habit of giving magazines for presents, your shopping days will soon be over ? no more fighting mall crowds or worrying about what to give. Keep a list of the magazines you've given, and either update them from time to time to change around the magazines, or just wait until the publisher sends you a reminder a year later. And publishers will send you reminders, so you will never have to be concerned about forgetting a special occasion in the future. Not only do these gifts make sense for the recipient, but they are also great for the giver.