The First Annual Picky Person Gift-Giving Guide

Hopefully, you've started your Christmas shopping and taken advantage of some of the deals that were offered over the weekend. If not, I've racked my brain for the best gifts I can think of for the special (read: picky) people in your life. I have not listed any gift certificates, but I have included a few gifts you shouldn't give.

For the Lifelong Learner
An audio or DVD course from The Great Courses. Although the original prices are expensive, I've seen quite a few of the courses in the catalogs I get (almost daily) on sale for under $30. They're a great way to maximize the time someone spends commuting or doing housework. My husband's listening to one about critical decision making and I would be listening to one about writing great sentences if my car's CD player wasn't broken.

For the Pregnant Woman

Massages are actually
the perfect gifts for everyone.

Two words: pregnancy massage. Make sure that they specifically offer pregnancy massages. Some places might not have the special table. Pass on: Jumbo T-shirts that have phrases like "Bun in the Oven." Ghastly!

For the Bookworm

If you don't know what kinds of books they like, give some interesting bookends. I literally had no idea so many bookends existed. If you're handy, make them more bookshelves. (Because I assume we're not the only people with that problem.) Pass on: Gadgets for a Nook or similar reading device, unless they have expressed interest in such device. Personally, I'm a fan of paper.

For the Classy, Professional Man
You can't go wrong with a Cross pen. In fact, that's what my husband wants. (But a very specific Cross pen. You may want to ask first. We are talking about picky people here.)

For the Young Person Just Out on His/Her Own
Fill a food basket for the young guy/gal in your life. Include a cookbook, the ingredients to make a recipe from the cookbook, and a few kitchen utensils they might need.

For the Kid Who Has Everything
A magazine subscription! I enjoy Family Fun, but there's also the Cricket family of magazines for the more literary types and all kinds of other children's magazines out there. (I know because they've all rejected me recently.)

For the Person Always on the Go
This is a gift my dad gave my family two Christmases ago. He gave us each $25 with the stipulation that we had to spend it doing an activity together. My husband and I took him to lunch and then to a family fun center so we could play mini-golf, go go-kart racing, and hit some balls at the batting cages. It was a fun memory.

For the Mom Who Refuses to Spend Money on Herself
She says she'll feel guilty getting anything, but she would secretly love receiving a trendy purse or purse/diaper bag combo. Also, she'd love anything homemade from her kids or if her car's CD player was magically fixed. (hint, hint) Pass on: Actually listening to her and getting her nothing.

For Someone Who's Passed on (whom you want to honor)
Purchase something from the Samaritan's Purse or World Vision catalogs. They'll send you a card in memory of that person that you can share with people who still remember that person fondly.

Visit Works for Me Wednesday for more Christmas gift-giving ideas.

[Disclosure: I get absolutely nothing from recommending these specific products than the peace of mind that you've found the perfect gift for that picky person.]