| Do you suffer from the same trauma that many | | | | to do for others that they have no time for |
| people do when the time to buy a gift for someone | | | | themselves. How about gift vouchers for some time |
| comes around again? When you add up all of the | | | | at the local day spa where she can relax away from |
| occasions in the year that polite and civilized folks are | | | | it all and pamper herself? |
| encouraged or shamed into buying a gift for friends, | | | | - - A lot of Dads remember when they were |
| relatives or just acquaintances, it comes to quite a | | | | younger and had a more devil-may-care approach to |
| lot: birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Mothers Day, | | | | life. Try to devise some sort of activity that they be |
| Fathers Day, and so on - the list seems endless. And | | | | interested in but just too reluctant to move ahead |
| there is a constant pressure to think up something | | | | with - for example, a hot air balloon ride, scuba diving |
| new and original, hence the trauma of racking your | | | | lessons or a trip in a glider at the local airfield. |
| brain to make sure you at least appear to have given | | | | - - Or maybe Dad remembers when he had to trade |
| it some thought. | | | | in that sporty car or motor bike for a family sedan or |
| And even when you do, despite the 21st century | | | | a minivan. Is there a local go-kart or race track |
| abundance of consumer goods, it seems to be ever | | | | where you can buy him some time to re-live in |
| more tricky to find a gift that the recipient really | | | | safety the road thrills he used to enjoy? |
| wants and does not already have. Maybe it's because | | | | - - Wives often complain about a lack of appreciation |
| we're all so much more wealthy these days | | | | and insufficient reassurance that their husbands love |
| (notwithstanding the current high levels of | | | | them. An open heart necklace is a great way for a |
| unemployment and economic downturn). After all, | | | | husband to say "I love you" and it sends it's message |
| how many people do you know that don't have a | | | | every time she wears it. |
| color television (or more likely, televisions), a CD and | | | | - - Many Grandmas spend a lot of time reliving |
| DVD player, a mobile phone, more clothes than they | | | | nostalgic moments because they are unable to be |
| can fit in their wardrobe and a host of other | | | | with their children and grandchildren as often as they |
| possessions? So it's perhaps not too surprising that | | | | would like to be. With today's mobile society, often |
| coming up with original gift ideas is difficult - but it can | | | | they are miles apart. Can you set up a simple |
| be done! | | | | personal computer system so that she can take |
| One the key approaches is to discard the "normal" | | | | advantage of video calls using services such as |
| ideas and try to think a little more broadly. So ignore | | | | Skype to turn that welcome but slightly restricted |
| best selling books for Dad, perfume for Mom and a | | | | ordinary phone call into a video call? |
| CD for your pal - instead, try to think about what | | | | Sure, none of this is easy, but if you allocate some |
| they might like that they simply won't buy for | | | | time and identify what it is that the folks you are |
| themselves because it appears too extravagant or | | | | buying for would treasure the most, you may gain a |
| just not practical (or because they can't obtain it | | | | reputation as the creative and thoughtful one who |
| themselves). Then make it happen - for example: | | | | brings special joy at gift giving times. |
| - - Moms are typically so busy with their list of things | | | | |