gift ideas  (excerpted from Present Perfect)      

See also: over-the-top gifts

Give gifts high in sentiment:

• A beautifully framed picture of the two of you on vacation together

• A needlework portrait of her beloved horse

• A gift shop souvenir or gift certificate from the resort where he skis every winter

• Something from her alma mater   

• A watercolor of her first sailboat, a sculpture of his beloved childhood pet, a sketch or charcoal drawing of her lakeside cabin

Give a Lobster Clambake-To-Go from Cape Cod to anyone, anywhere in the country. Your recipients will dine on fresh lobster, steamer clams, sweet mussels, corn-on-the-cob, onions, new potatoes, and sweet Italian sausage. Even the lobster bibs, claw crackers, seafood forks, napkins, and steamer pot are included. Call Clambake Celebrations at 877/792-7771. Internet: www.clambake-to-go.com.

A hand-blown glass Galileo thermometer makes a great gift that functions as both a work of art and a scientific wonder. The Galileo Shop has the largest selection of Galileo thermometers we've seen. Phone: 702/651-9077. Internet: www.galileoshop.com.

Custom hourglasses (sand timers) make exquisite gifts. Check out some extraordinary creations on the Internet at www.hourglasses.com. Phone: 888/777-7027.

Lease a sugar maple tree, a lobster trap, or an acre of Minnesota red wheat; hire a honey hive; or rent a sheep, pecan tree, or Minneola Angelo tree. Rent Mother Nature contracts with growers that share their concern for the environment to bring you wholesome, distinctive, natural, and memorable gifts. Phone: 800/232-4048. Internet: www.rentmothernature.com.

Some kids never grow up. Just for fun, give a remote control indoor flying blimp, or another "toy" from Hammacher Schlemmer. Phone: 800/543-3366. Internet: www.hammacher.com.

For poolside fun, give a remote-control sailing yacht or radio-control cruiser. Both are available through the Splash catalog. Phone: 800/626-6488.

The Brookstone store and catalog are filled with unique items that make great gifts for those that have everything. Phone: 800/926-7000. Internet: www.brookstoneonline.com.

Still stumped? Let the folks at Neiman Marcus show you an extraordinary collection of exceptional gift ideas in their annual Christmas Book. Each year, Neiman Marcus buyers search the world for unique services and items of unsurpassed quality. Phone: 800/825-8000. Internet: www.neimanmarcus.com.

Present Perfect: Unforgettable Gifts for Every Occasion is filled with gift ideas for people that have everything and everyone else on your gift list. 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 people-that-have-everything gift ideas you'd like to share?