Q&A for How to Choose a Gift

Food is a great gift for a man, a cheese platter or a sausage from a deli. If you want something extra special, get caviar. If you want something a little more memorable, a good cologne like Gucci is a dream gift.

It depends on what he likes - maybe a video game or a book, a Lego set, or a board game you guys could play together?

I don't think it's the best idea. Get them something they'd like and use, something more personal.

Think of something newly released that they probably wouldn't own yet. Candy and chocolate is also a safe bet, as it's appreciated by almost everyone.

Get a frame and put a photo of the two of you together in it. You can get a frame at pretty much any drug store or Target, Walmart, etc. Also, get a calendar and write down your important dates!

You can't buy much with $1. You could ask another family member to help you out, or try earning extra money by doing chores or other work for someone. Otherwise, you can just make something (like gift vouchers) or do something special (like doing some chores for him) for your dad.

If you don't have any money at all, you can make a gift with things you can find at home. For example, you could ask friends and family members for photos to make a collage, or use some thread and needles to sew something. It will require some creativity but it can be done!

What else do you know about him? What does he like? If you can't come up with anything else, you could get him a funny novelty piggy bank.

Think of something you would appreciate, but don't ask for something too big or expensive.

Makeup, clothes, and gift certificates are almost always good choices for teen and tween girls.

Consult Give a Great College Graduation Gift . While it's aimed toward college graduation, many of the ideas are just as practical for graduation from high school.

See if you can find out what the person likes, such as by looking at their social media accounts. You could also see if they have any wish lists online, such as on Amazon. Or, you could ask people who know the person what they like and if they have any gift suggestions.

Consider what you want or need right now. What would you be happy to receive from someone else?

This depends on their ages and interests. Think about what they might enjoy or what would be useful to them at their current life stage.

Consider what she wants/needs at this stage in her life. You could also investigate her social media accounts for clues, or see if she has a wish list on a commercial site, such as Amazon.

Ask your significant other for suggestions, if possible. You might also check out your MIL's social media history or Pinterest for clues. If all else fails, a gift card to someplace you know she likes is a great option.

Pokemon cards are cheep and almost all Pokemon fans appreciate them. See if you can get them a football or some football cards too.

For a more feminine person, a lot of teenagers are into skincare/sel-care/makeup. A good idea is to go to a place like Sephora and buy some trending skincare or makeup. For a more masculine person, you could get a sports jersey from their favorite team or sports equipment. Or if they are into computers, you could get them a new keyboard/ mouse.

Try a dog toy or a bone. If you can’t afford that, any dog would appreciate a hug.