It was undoubtedly a different time when Saint Nick was selling off all of his worldly possessions and telling all about the joys of giving. However, he never had to sit in a monstrous traffic jam, drive around for hours in the car while looking for an available parking space, or grapple with the thousands of other shoppers at the mall.

Since that time, the search for the perfect Christmas gift has become much more stressful. Besides that, the average shopper does not stumble into the shopping malls and department stores until a few weeks, or even mere days before Christmas.

Finding the perfect Christmas gift is quickly becoming a science to be studied, observed, and taught. Sometimes you are given a cheat sheet of sorts, the infamous wish list. And then you have the incredibly fun “surprise me” Christmas gift requests that force you to pull out the red-striped thinking cap (complete with bells).

Finding The Gift Niche

One unique way to show your love and consideration for your family and friends is by making personalized and homemade Christmas gifts. Don't go crazy with tinsel and your glue gun, and sequins are fine if used sparingly. You can easily put together gift baskets with bath and body supplies, small decorative soaps, candles, and even a pair of slippers for the ladies. For men, treats such as flavored almonds, mixed nuts, and an assortment of chocolate and candies will usually put a smile on his face.

Another good idea for those considering giving Christmas gifts with a personal touch is a calendar. You can create a photo collage, or choose different pictures for each month. Many major office supply stores now offer this service, as well as other personalized items such as coffee mugs and mouse pads.

It you would prefer to do the project entirely hands-on, there are certain computer programs that can be purchased to create one-of-a-kind calendars. Everyone uses calendars, so this is one Christmas gift that will not be put away and forgotten.

Gift cards have been gaining in popularity as a “one size fits all” gift. You can select the store and the amount, and you are good to go. If you are not sure where that special person on your shopping list prefers to shop, many shopping malls now offer gift checks that can be redeemed at any store within their walls. You can also purchase a gift card with the Visa, Mastercard, or American Express logo. This way your Christmas gift can be used just about anywhere and for anything.