A Gift for Giving: Making the Most of the Present

Few things match the pleasure of bestowing a gift that is received with genuine delight. Learning to select gifts that bring joy to their recipients and presenting them with style are the twin lessons of A Gift for Giving , Donna Lang's innovative primer on giving gifts that are long remembered.

The trick, she maintains, is thinking beyond the expected. A gift certificate lacks flair. A money tree embellished with fan -- folded bills or a notepad of crisp singles in a one-of-a-kind cover, however, are witty and useful. A gift of flowers can be ho-hum, but presented in a quirky, reusable container or made into a stylish (but affordable) topiary, they are anything but!

Donna also points out that gifts should enhance their recipients' lives without weighing them down with unnecessary possessions. (Who truly needs another sweater or bottle of perfume?) The alternative? Give the gift of an experience (like tickets to a concert, a course, or a trip) cleverly packaged to accentuate your theme, or an edible present like a sumptuous Sunday brunch-in-a-basket for two, complete with Champagne. Such gifts not only reflect the recipient's interests, but they do so without bringing clutter into his or her life.

In the final chapter, Donna shows how to give gifts greater impact with customized wraps, unique add-ons and ribbons, and handmade cards. A directory of resources, with information on birthstones, zodiacs, and more, provides inspirations for devising personalized gifts for everyone on your list.

From a gift of quarters for the laundromat to a trip to Paris, Donna Lang shows how to make your thoughtful gestures count the most.