Holiday gift ideas for the most impossible to please

With the holiday season approaching, gift ideas such as Baxter the Bear and the Cheryl and Company Santa Hat are great purchases for the person who hates everything, owns everything or does not want anything.

Credit: Steve Schirra

There’s one in every family or every group of friends.

Perhaps it’s your father or your sister-in-law or even your best friend. Every Christmas, as you search the mall for gifts, he or she is the person you shop for last, the person who causes you to ask yourself the same question over and over as you roam from store to store: What on earth am I going to buy this person this year?

You know who I’m talking about. It’s the person who either hates everything or already owns everything or tells you not to buy them anything. And while those picky loved ones may leave us gritting our teeth in frustration, there are some fun and inexpensive Christmas gift ideas decorating the stores this year that may help in the search for that perfect present.

1. Baxter Bear (various jewelry stores, $9.99)

Here’s a gift that truly will keep on giving. In an effort to raise money for cancer research, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is pairing up with jewelry stores such as J.B. Robinson and Kay Jewelers to sell Baxter Bear plush toys. Baxter, a fluffy, white teddy bear decked out in a snowy hat, scarf and mittens, is $10 and does not have to be purchased with another item. A portion of the money from every sale (no less than $4) will be donated to St. Jude’s fight to help terminally ill children.

2. Candy-Striped Sled (Target, $9.99)

Once snow has successfully blanketed the campus, sledding enthusiasts can toss aside their old wooden sleds and ride down the hills on this 42-inch inflatable sled from Target. The sled keeps to the theme of the holidays with its circular red-and-white-striped candy design. The sled also comes in the form of Santa Claus.

3. Classic holiday movies (Wal-Mart, $15 and under)

Clark Griswold stapling lights onto the roof of his house. Flick sticking his tongue to a frozen pole. These are just some of the popular scenes that have made their way into Christmas movie history over the years. And while many of these films can be seen on television throughout the holiday season, they also may make good gifts for fans who just can’t get enough of their favorite festive flicks. Feature films include “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “A Christmas Story” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

4. Philosophy holiday-scented shampoo (Sephora, $16)

In tune with the holiday season, Philosophy has created a line of seasonally scented shampoos in fragrances such as Candy Cane, Sugar Cookie, Vanilla Cake and Old-Fashioned Eggnog. As an added treat, the shampoo, which is sold in Sephora stores and online, also is a conditioner, bubble bath and shower gel in one. Items can be ordered online at www.sephora.com.

5. Recordable memory album (Hallmark, $12.95 with purchase of three cards)

Each year, Hallmark introduces new holiday products that range from snowman carolers to collectible ornaments. This Christmas, with a purchase of three cards, shoppers can receive the recordable memory album at a discounted price. The album allows the person to write down their favorite Christmas memories of the year, as well as record special messages onto an attached electronic voice recorder.

6. The Bath and Body holiday hand lotion and candles (Bath and Body Works, $4)

Bath and Body Works has brought out new holiday scents in the form of hand lotions and candles. The anti-bacterial moisturizing hand lotion provides sweet scents such as Winter Candy Apple and Vanilla Bean Noel, while the mini-candles stick to the more traditional scents of Tree, Frosted Cranberry and Spice. Both products are $4 and the perfect size for stockings.

7. Cheryl and Company Santa Hat (Cheryl and Company, $19.95)

Known for their unique, frosted cookies and tasty gift arrangements, Cheryl and Company is offering a 12-inch, fur-trimmed Santa hat filled with 18 treats for those who possess a notorious sweet tooth. Pastries in the Santa hat include frosted, mint and peppermint cookies, mini brownies and chocolate Santas. As an added bonus, the shipping is free. Santa hats can be ordered online at www.cherlyandco.com.

8. Official Hershey’s S’mores Kit (Target, $12.99)

Speaking of sweets, chocolate lovers can get their fill of the traditional campfire treat of s’mores without straying far from their living room fireplace. This gift set from Target contains two mugs, a package of Hershey’s chocolate bars, graham crackers, marshmallows and hot cocoa mix to warm up a cold, winter evening.

Contact features reporter Michelle Poje at [email protected].