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Some people sing, "It's the most wonderful time of the year."  Others shout, "Bah humbug?" Either way, we hope you'll find some holiday cheer in the following gift ideas.

Fill a decorated basket with twelve wrapped packages. Put one item in the first package and label it "On the first day of Christmas . . . ." Put two items in the second package and label it "On the second day of Christmas . . .," and so forth. The presents can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. Each day the anticipation mounts. This is an especially fun gift for someone who lives alone or is away from family for Christmas. It is also fun to do anonymously.

For another twist on the above idea, give an advent basket with 25 separately wrapped packages. One item per package will do. Children love this idea and it gives them something to look forward to each day leading up to Christmas.

Give nice. Give twice. UNICEF offers a wonderful array of beautiful greeting cards and gifts to send to family, friends, and business associates. Proceeds from UNICEF products help children in need in developing countries. Phone: 800/553-1200. Internet: www.supportunicef.org.

Assemble a holiday activity box to occupy children while parents prepare for holiday parties, shop, or wrap presents. Be sure activities are age-appropriate and can be completed without supervision. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Christmas coloring books and crayons, sticker books, stencils, ornament kits, safety scissors, construction paper, glue sticks, glitter, buttons, string, beads, and tape.

Give a Christmas-morning breakfast basket to your holiday host or hostess. Fill with an assortment of muffin and pancake mixes, syrups and jellies, gourmet cocoa mixes, fresh fruits, and napkins with holiday motifs.

For friends that stop by during the holidays, fill a basket with Christmas crackers (small exploding cylinders filled with favors), ornaments, or small wrapped gifts. Choose generic gifts—candy, puzzles, mugs, note pads, picture frames—or wrap gifts in different papers to indicate which ones are for women (compacts, scarves, potpourri sachets), men (holiday tie tacks, sports magazines, car fresheners), or children (marbles, Silly Putty, washable markers). Let each guest choose a present as he or she leaves.

Decorate a storage box with holiday wrap and fill it with Christmas lights, ornaments, candles, wrapping paper, ribbon, greeting cards, and traditional holiday recipes for a couple's first Christmas.

Give tickets to The Messiah, A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, or other Christmas entertainment.

A present for the family pet would endear you all the more to the recipients. Fill a cute Christmas stocking with treats and toys for Phelix or Phideaux.

Present Perfect: Unforgettable Gifts for Every Occasion is filled with gift ideas for Christmas and every other gift giving occasion. In addition, you get tips on gifting etiquette, shopping, wrapping, special presentations, and much, much more. To order the book, click here.

NEW!  To start shopping for gifts right now, click here.

Have any Christmas gift ideas you'd like to share?