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The art of giving By Erik J. Martin CTW Features W hether you're shopping online or at a brick-and- mortar store, it's easy to get bogged down by one of the most common predic- aments consumers face during the holiday season: How to buy the ideal present for a family member, relative, friend or coworker. Here's some handy advice from the experts. For a spouse/partner "I recommend curating an experi- ence that you can do together, such as taking a cooking class or getting a couples massage," says Julie Schechter, a gifting expert and award-winning founder of Small Pack- ages in New York City. "This sends the message that you're excited not just to celebrate the holidays with them, but that you also can't wait to carve out dedicated time for the two of you." For a child Buyers often experience a special kind of anxiety when they are tasked with finding the ultimate toy for a young one. "I like to be a little sneaky and ask the child to help me pick a gift for them by saying I am hunting for a present for a different child who is a year older than they are. I find they will usually spill what's on their mind instead," Schechter says. Kristan Fazio, fair trade advocate for WorldFinds in Westmont, Illinois, says she prefers gifting items that educate as well as excite kids. For a parent When planning for a mom or dad gift, think about something they can use and enjoy at the stage of life they are in. "A great gift for a parent is something they can use for multiple occasions," says Parker Slavin, CEO/ president of Los Angeles-based StationeryXpress. That can mean personalized sta- tionery, stylish new clothing, or a gift subscription to a favorite magazine. "My parents' favorite holiday gift I gave them was a monthly delivery of hand-made ice cream. I live close to my folks, so they were able to spend time with their favorite daughter when the ice cream arrived," says Fazio. For a friend or coworker What do you buy for an office pal or longtime crony? "You can't go wrong with a con- sumable food as well as a small physical object like a coffee mug or a beauty product plus a handwritten card," Schechter suggests. "You could bypass this entirely by showing up with a thoughtfully curated care pack- age." Slavin believes that the expression "it's the thought that counts" truly applies to buddies and workmates. n Can't-miss holiday gift strategies for the people who matter most gift certificates available online millvalleymassage.com Hepa13 Air Filters in Each Room Medical Grade Medical Grade pH Neutral Disinfectant Thorough Cleaning Before Every Appointment Our Safety Protocols All Therapists are Vaccinated Buy 10 Gift Certificates Recieve 1 FREE! Buy 5 get a 6th at 50% OFF Buy 2 get a 3rd for 30% OFF Hurry this special is being offered Nov 27th - Dec 26th 2021 Not to be combined with any other offer Hepa13 Air Filters in Each Room Medical Grade Medical Grade pH Neutral Disinfectant Thorough Cleaning Before Every Appointment Our Safety Protocols All Therapists are Vaccinated W e s t E n d V i l l a g e … Make the Your "Holiday Shopping Village!" Family-friendly shops & eateries Mayflower Pub Kitchen Table Italian Bordenave's Bakery Peru Groceries Shiro Kuma Sushi Bella Cucina Catering Sugar Pie Baking Co Dee's Organic Catering Sabor a México Restaurant Johnny Doughnuts Pink Owl Coffee Tender tenders, chicken Whippersnapper Restaurant Pint-size Lounge Moonlight Deli Krumbscakes Bakery Bella Lux Caterers A Mailbox Plus Services Lily's Cleaners & Tailors & gifts Jack Hunt Automotive Cain's Tires Auto Marin Used Cars A & L Optometry Willow Salon Kim's Nails Lashart Brow Studio Anne Tran Super Beauty Polish Nail Spa Red Dragon Yoga Abbot Kinney Clothes/Salon Tempest Hair Salon Xclusive Barber Shop Proof Lab Skateboards Blue Moon Comics Gold Hill Coin Sling-it! La Crosse Seawood Photo Rebound Bookstore Red Hill Pets Trek Bike Shop Ace Hdwr gift, décor, tree lot!) Atelier Marin (Yarns) Silk Road Odyssey (Persian Rugs) Istanbul Rugs Studio 4 Art (Kid's art) Dharma Yarns/clothing Bloom clothing Sofa Creations West End Studio Theater #WESTENDSANRAFAEL (USE IT!) **3 HOURS FREE PARKING IN THE UNITED LIQUORS LOT! 16 December 12, 2021 Holiday Guide 2 A Marketing Supplement of the Marin Independent Journal | marinij.com