If you're still a young pup and trying to buy a gift for someone over the age of 45, you usually find yourself stumped. They seem to have everything they want and what they do want you can't afford.

If your married, what type of gift goes over best? Is it the big expensive one or the cheap one? We will discuss how money doesn't really have to come into play.

Remember when you were young and your Mom said "Just make me something", she was asking for unique presents from you. That basic premise is still alive and well. Think about the type of gift you actually appreciated more? Was it the big ticket item or the goofy card from your kid with drawn out stick people and "I wub yu" written sideways in crayon?

The trick here is to show that you actually put some thought and effort into the present. Big tickets are a quick get over, but they can't pull you out of the fire year after year. If you know the gift reciepient has a hobby, passion or obsession that's where you should start.

Expensive is not necessarily the name of this game. A new set of gold plated knitting needles inscribed with the the date they started knitting could mean more than a house to the right person.

It's all about the effort and the care shown. Start thinking outside the box when it comes to gifts! It's really not that hard. You can find great unique presents suited just for that person by reflecting their hobbies in the gift given. If the older folks, you already know that many of the things they don't have are either by choice or budgetary constraints.

This means unless you own a bank you're probably not going to get the biggies they are looking for for so now it's time to start thinking about combining entertainment, fun and usefulness. Bring a tear of joy because you touched their heart or get belly laugh because you tickled their funny bone.

I've already given an example of a tear so here's an example of a belly laugh. Fact: everyone needs sunscreen protection when they are outside. Science has proven that too much exposure to the sun causes skin cancer and the older people get the more susceptible they are.

Does this mean that you should grab up a bottle of Coppertone, Banana Boat or Hawaiian Tropic and put it in a gift box? I should say not, that would (for the lack of a better word) be stupid. That'll tell them you they look a bit leathery and you prefer coconut to their lousy smelling cologne or perfume.

Not quite the message you were trying to send, was it Sparky! Too be unique presents, they need to be not only practical but they also have to be fun and funny. If they live in the south or are motorcycle riders there is just such a prime example of what I'm talking about. Give them the sun protection they need with a product called Red Neck Repellent!

When the gifts are useful funny and fun to show off you have hit the trifecta! Red Neck Repellent sounds like it might keep away "good ole'boys" but it's really a sunscreen to protect the back of the neck and of course, any other body part you put it on.

The internet, a little spy work and putting that stuff that rarely gets used between your ears to work and presto, the perfect gift. The reason I call these unique presents is we are usually in to much of a hurry to get one. The goal here is the emotional reaction the correct present can give. Make the ones you care for learn to expect unique presents by making the effort to be unique. Happy gift giving!