A Brand New Holiday (NAPSA)—With the holiday season rapidly approaching and the current American frame of mind focused on more serious topics, the number one question is— what is an appropriate gift this year? In these times, marked by uncertainty, the public has many questions about the tradition of gift giving—what to give, how to give in a meaningful manner, and whomto give to. Instead of wondering how to approach the holidays this year, you may use the timeas an opportunity for healing, self-reflection, togetherness with family and friends and celebration for all that you have. To help deal with the awkwardness of gifting, here are Holiday Gift-Giving Do’s Collect Memories.A gift that can serve as a memento ofthe past will outlast the holiday season and be cherished for years to come. Create a photo album,framea favorite picture or poem or developa list of your favorite funny sayingsin a special card. Memories help you to reflect on the past and moveonto the future. Christmas Garden Gifts and Accessories from Bath & Body Works. some helpful hints to aid you in making the most of the season and yourgift-giving. Holiday Gift-Giving Don’ts Don’t take precious moments for granted. Record the goodtimesonfilm or bydigital image and savor the moment when youarein it. A pictureis worth a thousand words, but a memory lasts a lifetime. Give a friend or family member the gift of time—a trip to the movies, a dinner hosted at your house or a best friend getaway weekend, Giveit special thought. A gift that takes into Don’t give impersonalgift items. People account the recipient's favorite activity or hobby is worthits weight in gold. While your greenthumbed friend would swoon over the latest in gardeningtools, your cousin wholives in a studio apartment probably wouldn’t know whatto do with them. Celebrate Life. Don’t be so serious. A gift with a little humor can bethe perfect pick-me-up. A calendarwith funny anecdotes for each day may seem small, but is sure to brighten someone's day. create "Wish Lists” for a reason. Unless you want to give the impression that you don’tinvest any thoughtinto gift selection, be sure to give friends and family items they requested orthatreflect their unique personality andtaste. Help ease tension in stressful times. Whetherit’s massages or aromatherapy, these days weall need little help relaxing. Receiving one of the many therapeutic aromatherapy products from Bath & Body Works may help anyone achieve personal peace. Don’t forget your helpful public servants. Don’t overspend. Set a budget and stick to it. Nothing puts a damperonthe holidays like overspending, andin this economy we needto keep a check on our finances. Be clever about your gift and your bargain might be someone's most cherished gift. We have seen whothe heroesarein this world; let's not forget all those who makeour lives easier every day. From teachers to mailmen to yourlocal fire department or crossing guard, a small gift goes a long way; a batch of cookies will say, “I'm grateful”and not break the bank. Go charitable. If the store you are buying your Don’t be late. During the holiday season in gifts from is making contributions to charitable particular, timing is everything. When someone causes, it makes your gift worth that much more. gets the gift can bejust as important as whatthey Do little research into donations—you’d be get. To that end, do yourself a favor and go to a surprised how manyof your favorite stores are one stop shoplike Bath & Body Works, where you offering up a portionof their profits. can pick up something for everyone on yourlist. Be patriotic. If there are stars and stripes in your heart don’t be afraid to give a gift that says so. U.S. Savings Bonds are a wayto support your countryandgive a worthy gift at the sametime. @
