Every year, usually the day after Halloween, we start to see Christmas decorations fill up the department stores. They also start advertising their "Black Friday " and "early bird" shopping deals.The cable networks like, Hallmark, Lifetime, and Freeform, begin to play holiday/Christmas movies on a regular basis. Most people tend to become annoyed when the festivities for the holidays start this early. The truth is, time never stops, so it's always better to be early, and prepared, than to be a "last minute person", and feel as though you are rushed.

The start of next week brings us to the end of November already, which also means, that the "holiday shopping season " will soon be in full swing. I don't know about you, but it bugs me when someone gives me a general gift for Christmas. General gifts, are gifts, that are interchangeable with everyone. Such as, candles, makeup sets,lotion sets, perfumes, etc.. You get the picture. In my opinion, if I receive one of those gifts listed above, it tells me, that the person rushed into the first department store they saw, on Christmas Eve, and just grabbed something off the shelf in a hurry, just for the sake of getting me a gift. To me, that means they don't really care what the gift was, or even if it's something I'd like. Personally, I'd much rather not even receive a gift at all, than to be given a gift that is just going to end up in the trash hours later.

Often times, when I give someone a gift, upon opening it, they usually are surprised and overjoyed. They say something like, "Wow, where did you get this?" or " I love it." I'm not trying to brag, but most people say, that I do great job at finding the "perfect gift" for them.This year, I've decided to let you all in on how I shop, so you can finally stop buying your grandmother the same "ole pair of slippers" that she has grown to expect from you. Maybe this year, you'll actually surprise her, and get her something different that she will not only expect, but love.

My four tips are as follows:

Shop online

I'll be honest. I do all my shopping online. It is so much easier, to just go onto a website, than to deal with the long lines at department stores. Another reason, why I like shopping online, is because you can take your time, you can sit back, and you can really think about what you would like to purchase, for each particular person. No having to rush. No having to search through aisles. No worrying about blocking people while shopping. When you shop online, the world is at your "fingertips", and you have a bigger variety of products, from all around the world, where, shopping at the department stores, you have a very limited selection. I recommend an app, called "Etsy". Etsy is a place, where crafty people, sell their unique homemade items. There is an "Etsy shop", for almost every event, hobby, or category in life. If you give someone a gift from Etsy, you can rest assured, that the item, will be an original, and you will not have to worry, whether or not, they have it already, because in most cases, it will be something, that is totally exceptional, that no one has even thought to give them before.

Social media is your friend

If you honestly have no clue, what to buy someone, turn to their social media accounts. Pay attention to what they post, share, and like. Lately, Facebook has even been creating all sorts of ads, that pop up on your newsfeed, that people share, and "like", all day long. I can't tell you, how many times, I've seen a post from someone that says something like, "Oh I really want this shirt"! Well there you go, you just found something that they want, and you didn't even have to think very hard.

Be a detective

Sometimes, in order to buy someone a good gift, you have to be a detective. Next time you see them, pay attention to their style. Notice what they wear. What they don't wear. Are they introverted, or are they an extrovert? If they are introverted, maybe a nice book from one of their favorite authors. That would be a good idea for a gift. If they are an extrovert, maybe a gift card to one of those, "wine and paint nights" would be a better fit. Music lovers, would probably enjoy a pair of concert tickets, or some sort of memorabilia from their favorite artist. The possibilities are endless. You just have to look for the hints, that lead you in the right direction.

Give a gift that will help the person make a memory

One of my favorite gifts, that I've gotten so far, was a pair of tickets, to see my favorite country artist, Jake Owen in Allentown fairgrounds. My fiancé Kristofer, bought me them, as an anniversary gift, this past August. We had so much fun that night, I will truly remember it forever. I couldn't have chosen a better gift for myself. In my opinion, the best gifts, are gifts you give, that involve, some sort, of activity, and being hands-on. It creates the opportunity, to make a memory. That is way better than a boring Yankee candle. If your not sure where to find a gift like this. I recommend, you download, the Groupon app. Groupon, is an app that has coupons, and discounts, on all sorts of salons, restaurants, clothing, and even has hotels and vacation deals. Groupon has a whole section, called, "things to do".Anything on that list would make for a great holiday present.

So now that you've seen my list of four tips which again are shop online, social media, be a detective, and a gift to make a lasting memory. I am almost certain, that if you follow this advice, everyone will love their gifts, and you will probably gain a love for Christmas shopping, just like I have. Happy shopping everyone!