With only 10 shopping days left until Christmas, I get lots of requests for gift ideas.  Also, more and more people are looking for ways to save money. 

Keep in mind that it's not too late to decide against exchanging gifts with certain folks — provided that none of you has bought gifts yet.

But if you are stuck for gift ideas, here are some of my favorites:

• Consider giving an experience rather than a thing.  Experiences create memories rather than clutter so they are extra valuable. But it's important to match the gift to the person. An athletic niece may like a pass to an indoor rock-climbing center. An outdoorsy couple may like an America the Beautiful pass to the national parks. A young family may like an annual membership to a local children's museum.  Most of these things can be purchased online and a print out isready for wrapping in 5 minutes.
• Consider giving your time. Most older folks I know don't really need more stuff. In fact, many of them are trying to downsize their belongings. Instead of things, give them an evening out — to a movie or a free local concert or just to dinner at your house. If someone doesn't drive, offer an afternoon of driving to appointments or errands. Or offer your help doing chores that require many hands, such as yard clearing, putting in screens, changing furnance filters, clearing storage areas.
• Teachers don't need another #1 teacher coffee mug or plaque — REALL. It doesn't matter how cute it is. Gift cards to stores where they can buy school supplies are always good.  So are books they can use in their classrooms. And a well-written heartfelt letter expressing gratitude and cc'd to the principal is always good.