Contributed By Sandra Pimentel

Where to find the best last minute gifts for everyone on your list? The Bookstore!

And I don’t mean the book section at Target. I mean head to a Barnes and Noble or your local bookstore (hopefully they haven’t all disappeared). Recently I went into my local bookstore to pick up a children’s book and ended up buying 12 gifts! Who knew you could find so many great gifts at the bookstore?  I know what you are thinking…the person on my list doesn’t like to read.  That’s fine, bookstores have much more than just books.  They have wall and desk calendars, toys, games, magazines and unique gifts put out for the holiday season.  And surprisingly, those people who call themselves “non-readers” often actually like books too, as long as they are short and sweet and are about something that interests them.

During my recent trip, I found books I never would have thought about, but as soon as I spotted them, I knew, “this would be a perfect gift for someone on my list.”  Most people have a hobby or passion- running, knitting, traveling, recycling, even mad libs. They are the easiest to shop for since there are books that cover every activity from almost every angle.

In situations where you don’t know the hobbies or passions, think about what kind of person they are.  Do they like learning new, interesting facts?  Do they have a great sense of humor? Are they into nature? There are always books that reflect someone’s personality, something you know about them or something you share with them.

 Don’t worry about the “non-readers”, either. The bookstore has plenty of options for them, too. There are great coffee table books, amazing picture books and short books that are fun and quick. You can also pick up a funny or inspirational desktop calendar and even games at the bookstore. Go in with an open mind, browse around and pretty soon you’ll find a gift for everyone on your list.

 All you have to do is head to a bookstore.

That’s my take on Holiday shopping; now check out how Forbes used MindSight to explore people’s motives driving holiday shopping.