Let's discuss gift giving

By Mark Sweetwood

While holiday gift giving is an American tradition, times are a little leaner than usual this year and "practical" is the operative word. Now that doesn't mean that everyone has to get socks. But it does mean that:

• You must make a practical budget. According to the National Retail Federation, the average American family will spend about $832 on gifts this holiday season with $466 earmarked for family gifts. Figure out what works best for you in your situation and stick to that budget.

• Create a practical plan. Weigh the pluses and minuses of wants vs. needs. If 8-year-old Billy wants an Xbox, that could devour a good portion of a $466 budget. What if I told you one store will provide a way to get the 10-year-old daughter a good iPod AND Billy a decent game station with a half dozen games for less than the cost of an Xbox?

• Consider a budget limited by buying practically everything in cash, check or debit card. This seems like the wrong time to add to credit debt.

• OK, socks make pretty good gifts, as do hoodies, gloves and other cool weather staples. Many stores are featuring great deals on, say, sweatshirts featuring your favorite college or pro team logos (like America's Team the Chicago Bears or whomever is playing Michigan). Practical doesn't have to mean dull.

So, just like the old food pyramid, carefully consider the basic gift groups when making your list:

• Toys
• Electronics
• Clothes and accessories
• Jewelry and watches
• Tools and housewares
• Gift cards

Match people to gifts and keep whimsy and practical in equal measure. And this year, avoid gift cards, especially those for specific stores or restaurants. When Sharper Image filed bankruptcy earlier this year, an estimated $20 million in gift cards became worthless.

All this is leading up to the obvious point: Black Friday can be a bonanza for those practical souls who are planning to spend money anyway, but maybe would like to save a couple of extra bucks. I promise you, there are great deals to be had out there and with a little organization, you can make Black Friday work for you.

So listen to those hints, read the wish lists, make some plans, be practical and have fun.

Finish those lists, go find a Thursday Vindicator and meet me back here before the Detroit-Tennesse kickoff (12:30 p.m.).


Mark M. Sweetwood is managing editor of The Vindicator.