Buying Is a Business Skill Too
They call today, Cyber Monday, the busiest shopping day on the Internet. Folks in the US, returning to work after the Thanksgiving holiday, realize that the shopping window to the holidays is limited and that the sales have officially started.
We seem to be getting the hang of this online shopping thing.
Forrester Research says this year’s sales are projected to be up 21%. Consumers report that online hot spots that are taking off include jewelry, apparel, and accessories. As a buying group, we also getting more interested in free shipping and turning down “extras” in the form of gift wrap and overnight delivery.
Matching Hot Gifts to Cool People
Beyond the sheer fun factor, the ability to match a well-chosen gift the right person is a fabulous business exercise for any person who serves other people . . . bloggers who write for readers, folks who who work with clients . . .
at the heart of great gift giving is the passion to deliver something folks really desire or need.
That, of course, means starting with the people we’re “serving.” With that in mind, I’ve organized this list by the people not the gifts.
For the “IN” Crowd
Be they 5, 50, 500 years old, these are the folks who hang with the coolest crowd. They know what’s “in” often before we’ve even heard it exists When we shop for them it’s good to keep in mind one rule: Timing is everything. What they want will be in short supply. Buy their dream gift early in the season.
Watch the popular searches, if you’re not sure. At the moment, these are the predictions for what will be hot this year.
PS3, Wii and Elmo were among the top 15 product searches on Yahoo! Shopping, according to Chris Saito, the company’s vice president of products. Elmo placed at No. 13 on the list. — CNN Money
For the Musical Kids in All of Us
Toys that work with our MP3 players. C’mon they’re not just for kids.

Singing Barbie is a diva. Yep she’s a diva with all of her hair. This Barbie will answer her cell when you put it up to her ear. I’m sure some human divas don’t do that or do that well. The doll will perform three prerecorded tunes or will “lip sync” and dance to songs on your MP3 player.
Mattel’s “I Can Play Guitar System” takes Guitar Hero to a new level. Plug the minature into the TV, match the color-coded song notes to the color-coded finger position buttons along the shorter strings. Earn points and move up through the levels. $99.99
Hasbro’s “Power Tour Electric Guitar,” is made in partnership with Gibson. This minature electric guitar has 4 play modes, 12 preloaded songs, and can plug into an MP3 player.
For That Favorite Techie
To know a techie is to love one. To love one is to know that they have precise tastes. When in doubt, let them pick what they want.
Take phones, for example, a blackberry user wouldn’t be caught with an iPhone. Jeremiah suspects the Nokia could lighten his equipment load because of it’s 5 megapixel camera. It’s often a matter of individual needs and preferences. Buying a phone these days is like buying a car. The research takes 53 times longer than the purchase.
The Flip is popular, especially among nontechies– like me — trying out video. Emily Price is an expert on camcorders. I’m not even going to pretend to know more than what I’ve already said on the subject so far. Michael Carr at About.com discusses digital cameras in every price range. Digital Photography Review can keep you up to date on which cameras are popular.
Some folks just like to know where they are . . . Check out GPS devices.

Though someone told me yesterday he wants a Macbook Pro and another said she was looking at cool laptops. Before you buy me either, I’m wondering whether I want to wait for Tablet.
Still most everyone agrees, you could do worse than this Give One Get One laptop deal.
For Folks Who Love Low-Tech Too
Low tech can be incredibly elegant.
Which of the moleskines is your favorite? I’m partial to the tiny cahier ones that fit in my back pocket without discomfort.
An elegant writing instrument can make what we say seem more important. A note written with a beautiful pen seems to have more meaning.

Anyone with too little space or a collection out of control might be turned on by elegant organizers.
That graduate in that first career job might like something elegant to carry and use in business situations.
Then, of course, there’s tickets to trips, concerts, plays, games, and special events.
For Folks Who Don’t Treat Themselves
Some folks seem to have everything they need. For these folks, why not try a twist on the usual to offer them some luxury they wouldn’t get for themselves?
Instead of a new bathrobe . . . the most expensive, luxurious bath towels. Every day will feel like a royal stay at a fine hotel.

Instead of gloves, and hat . . . a cashmere scarf. When they wear it to the grocery store, they will feel as if they are going to an oscar-award event.
Instead of a new blanket or sheets for the bed . . . a fabulous new pillow or a feather bed. What better gift than beautiful sleep?
Think smaller, but more luxurious.
Holiday gift giving is a perfect time to practice Steve Farber’s Extreme Leadership philosophy, Do what you love in service to those who love what you do. It’s a great philosophy in business and life that fits any time, anyplace, anywhere.
How will you match the perfect gift to each person on your list this year?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!
Be sure to check the Wall Street Journal for more information on perks Online Retailers will be offering this holiday season.
Liz, you got me thinking….what do you get the person who has everything? The answer came to me really quickly. The person who has everything, really needs nothing, so why not make a charitable donation in their name?
Our family Christmas’s were becoming an orgy of consumerism. Then my niece came up with this idea; this year instead of buying each other gifts, we don’t need, why not have everyone put the money they would normally spend into a kitty and donate it to charity, in the name of the family.
I’m so proud of that girl! She taught the rest of us, about the meaning of Christmas.
I feel so darn liberated, I don’t have to go through that annual banging of my head to come up with Christmas present ideas for the family.
And of course we still buy presents for the kids, wouldn’t want to take the fun out of it!
Edward
Hi Edward!
Your comment says everything. I can see why you’re smiling about it and the daughter who suggested the idea. It’s a win-win in so many ways. 🙂
we have the tradition of collectables – my son has a new santa ornament each year, at age 20 it fills a tree – pretty cool and my daughter gets a yearly angel – me I decor in themes so anything in one of those themes always works
we are terribly practical
blankets,linen,grocery gift card,phone minutes gift card, a bit of chocolate, new pair of jeans, pez for stockings and black warrior pencils
i buy in bulk one special item for friends, business gifts etc — the list is normally long – this year I had to make do with the top 12 – it was what I could afford – the item this year was a fair trade purchase and these adorable velvet hand beaded ornaments
I bought in October
in my ga ga ultimate boy if only I could have – a 2 GB Ram lap top makes the list for my scrapbooking needs— out of my range but a nice idea !!
I enjoy the gifting and the matching people to a gift
Love creating surprises when the money is there – best gift for my kate was an art quilt made just for her, once i had a me -designed stain glass transom made for my husbands office and my son was blown away one year by rec’ving a Palm.
I admit that I am nasty to buy for – picky, particular and practical – the weekend away mid march was probably my favorite – indulgant and something to look forward and at the time romantic too!!
we gift to the american forest campaign and calculate our yearly footprint and offset it by planting trees – another tradition
hey — i had never heard of cyber monday!!
Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahan
http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com
Hi Mother Earth!
I can’t imagine someone with a heart as big as yours would be hard to buy for. . . . 🙂
Your ideas and your past choices sound so wonderful. Wow a wonderful quilt just for her. That’s something special worth keeping.
Your so sweet to me Liz —
I actually wrote about the artist and she ended getting a commission project from the post:
http://bestwellnessconsultant.com/2007/11/01/art-quilts-by-karen-carter-treasured-friend-daughter-karen-hanrahan-best-of-mother-earth.aspx
I think in another life I had a career in textiles – these days I can’t sew worth a darn but boy do I appreciate those who do
Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahan
http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com
Aw Mother Earth!
You should treat yourself as well as I think about treating you!
You’re a worthy one, doncha know?
Whew! Making beautiful things from textiles, being around fabrics and colors . . . how refueling!
Now you’re around colorful people instead, that’s energizing too!