10 Unique Holiday Gifts Sure to Spread Good Will...No Mall Required!

Fighting holiday traffic and crowds can take all the joy out of the season. Added to that stress is the fear that you may be giving someone a 'duplicate gift' - one that they will also receive from someone else. Don't worry! The following gift ideas are creative and stress-free. Best of all, they do not require that your feet step into a mall.

Give the gift of healing.
Purchase a gift certificate from a local massage and acupuncture school. Because the services are provided by students, rates will be much cheaper. Students will be motivated to give excellent service; they are being supervised, so they want good grades.

Take a journey to an Indian reservation.
During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, a dose of Native American culture serves as a welcome reminder to slow down. Find out whether the reservation has a craft festival coming up. If not, find out whether you can visit their gift shop, which will feature beautiful handmade treasures.

Explore your local farmer's market.
Farmers markets feature much more than fabulous produce. In addition to fruit and veggies, many farmers' markets also sell herbs, nuts, crafts, and other goodies. By shopping here, you support the local community, as well as the welfare of the environment.

Purchase colorful books of stamps.
We all need stamps. They make a great gift - especially for someone who lives far away. Just drop them in a card - your mailing costs will be next to nothing! Most post offices have stamp machines these days, often with a variety of styles to choose from. However, if your local post office does not, simply visit during off-hours to avoid lines.

Visit a craft fair at your local church or synagogue.
Craft fairs feature many unique and creative items. They also provide a festive holiday experience, complete with homemade goodies. Look for listings in your local paper.

Decorate a flower pot.
You don't need to visit a super-store to find a flower pot. Purchase one from any corner garden shop. While you're there, buy a potted herb. Then, just use whatever you may have lying around - paint, glue, buttons, yarn - to make a mosaic work of art.