The shortest day of the year is closing in, and Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are right around the corner. Hopefully, you’re feeling relaxed and looking forward to a nice holiday. But if you’re stressed out because you’re still deciding what gifts to get for friends and family, we can help. Shop local Consider foregoing the big box stores and online sites and supporting your local community by spending your money there. Capital One Shopping Research revealed that $68 of every $100 spent at local shops remains in the local economy, nearly 300% more than when money is spent at chain stores. Robin Horman, who owns Lilibea’s in West Reading and helped organize the borough’s Small Business Saturday initiative, summed up the benefits of shopping local. “You’re supporting the people who support you,” Horman said. In addition to West Reading, downtowns packed with local shopping opportunities include Hamburg, Kutztown and Boyertown in Berks County; Pottstown, Skippack, Lansdale, Norristown, Royersford, Green Lane, Narberth, Conshohocken and Ardmore in Montgomery County; and West Chester and Phoenixville in Chester County. In Delaware County, head to Kennett Square, Havertown, Media or Drexel Hill, and don’t overlook Trenton if you live nearby. Be creative Many of us are fortunate enough to have the problem of too much stuff, meaning our closets are full and we’re not in need of another hat-and-mitten set or scented candle. For the person on your list who has just about everything, consider giving an experience instead of a thing, providing an opportunity for the recipient to create a lasting memory. Consider a gift card for world-class Longwood Gardens, which recently unveiled “Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience” to celebrate the completion of an ambitious revitalization project. Thousands of lights illuminate the landscape at Longwood Gardens. (Courtesy of Longwood Gardens) Jourdan Cole, public relations manager at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, said for many people a visit to Longwood is a cherished holiday tradition. “It’s a chance to take in the beauty of the season,” he said. “A gift card is a thoughtful way to allow someone to do that and share the magic of Longwood with someone special.” Gift cards, which can be used for general admission, to purchase memberships, classes, special performance tickets and purchases at the Terrace Restaurant, can be purchased online at https://longwoodgardens.org, in the Visitor Center or by calling 610-388-1000. Both physical and electronic cards are available. Create a memory with a gift card for a Colebrookdale Railroad train ride. (MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE PHOTO) Or you could create a memory with a gift card for a Colebrookdale Railroad train ride. The excursion schedule varies depending on the season, but you can find a full listing of events and rides on the company website. All trains leave from the Boyertown Station. Gift cards can be purchased online at https://www.colebrookdalerailroad.com, by visiting the station or by calling the business office at 610-367-0200. Consider specific interests Maybe you know someone who loves to garden, cook or play pickleball or golf. Matching a gift to someone’s specific interests is thoughtful and sure to be appreciated. There’s no shortage of specialty garden shops throughout the region, or of locally owned sporting goods or kitchen stores. You could give a fan of gardening with a new pair of garden clogs, a kneeler pad, a do-everything digging trowel or a great pair of garden clippers. Achin’ Back Garden Center in Limerick Township offers a variety of gifts, from decorative wreaths to unusual house plants to Mason bee starter kits. The garden center also offers classes and workshops. Kelli Yeager, manager at Achin’ Back Garden Center in Limerick Township, adds an ornament to a gift display in the shop. (Susan Shelly)   “We have gifts for everyone who loves plants and gardening,” said Kelli Yeager, manager. Houseplants, festive poinsettias and garden ornaments available at Achin’ Back Garden Center make great gifts for people who love plants and gardening. (Susan Shelly) Book lovers could benefit from an audiobook service, a reading light, book subscription box or cozy blanket to read under, while sports enthusiasts might like specialty socks, gloves or equipment. Someone who loves to travel might enjoy a new carry-on bag, a travel journal, travel guide or unique luggage tag, while a cooking enthusiast may love a new cookbook, knife set or comfortable kitchen mat. A thoughtful, personal gift that matches the interests of the recipient is always welcome. Everyone likes to eat When in doubt, a gift card to a good restaurant can be an excellent gift choice. Again, you’re giving an experience instead of an item, and buying gifts cards from locally owned eating establishments supports the local economy. Michael Leifer behind the bar at the Peanut Bar. (File photo) Michael Liefer, owner of Jimmy Kramer’s Peanut Bar in Reading, invited everyone to visit his establishment, which is wrapping up its year-long celebration of its 100th anniversary. “We’ve had families who have been coming here for generations,” Liefer said. “We’re an institution in Reading and a great place to continue the tradition or to create some new memories.” Gift cards can be purchased in person at the restaurant or over the phone by calling 610-376-8500. Cards ordered by phone are sent out the same day. Many foodies also would appreciate a food subscription service, which range in scope from complete meal boxes to a three-month delivery of cheeses. You could order a fruit-of-the-month subscription or join a coffee or tea monthly delivery club. There are wine clubs, baking kits, tapas samplers, sauce collections, spice clubs, candy subscriptions and many other options. Good Housekeeping tested and reviewed hundreds of food subscription services before posting its recommendations for the Top 17. You can find the list online at https://tinyurl.com/3rrv7pz2. Consider making some gifts yourself, such as flavored vinegars or oils, pickled vegetables, baked goods or peanut brittle. You could present a certificate for a prepared meal, a gift that’s sure to be appreciated by anyone who is very busy or has trouble preparing meals on their own. The gift of giving Something of yourself may just be the best gift you can give someone. Consider three hours of gardening or help around the house. A month of once-a-week meals delivered to someone’s door. A pretty card with a handwritten note telling the recipient how much you care. Giving of yourself is a thoughtful and meaningful gesture that recipients will remember and appreciate. An alternative to buying gifts for family and friends is to provide gifts in their names for an organization or program such as the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, the Heifer Project or Toys for Tots. Toys for Tots Collection boxes filled with toys. (File photo) Make a donation to a local organization such as Family Promise of Berks County; Variety, the Children’s Charity of Delaware Valley; or Operation Holiday, a program funded by readers of this newspaper. Whatever or however you decide to give, remember the words of Mother Theresa, who said, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” Happy holidays.