GOOD THOUGHT: If it’s really the “thought” that counts when
giving a Christmas present, then why not try some of these ideas
proposed by the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public
Accountants:

• An investment in the future. A U.S. savings bond is a good
gift for a young child or student. In addition to being a safe
investment, a U.S. savings bond will also introduce youngsters to
the value of saving. Some U.S. government bonds which can be
purchased for as little as ,25. They not only earn interest but
increase in value while they are held.

• College contribution. Helping families with children save for
college via 529 plans is a great gift idea. The distributions are
tax free, and anyone – a grandparent, aunt, uncle or family friend
– can contribute to a 529 plan.

• Donate to a good cause. If you have trouble finding something
for the person who has everything, you may want to think about
making a donation in their name to a cause that’s important to
them. You’ll be showing you care about their interests and helping
them make the world a better place at the same time. Some
organizations make it possible to use your donation to pay toward
something specific, such as saving an area of natural habitat or
buying livestock for an impoverished village in the recipient’s
name. Investigate your options and find out the best way to give a
gift that will make a difference.

• Gift card or gift certificate. Not sure what color tie would
look best on Uncle Ed? Let him pick it out himself with a gift card
or gift certificate.

OUR IDEAS: If you have an older person on your list, a gift card
for a store or pharmacy might be right up your alley. How many of
us (even “younger” people) wouldn’t like to have some help with
those co-payments on prescriptions?

One of the best ideas we have heard in a long time is a gift
certificate from the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, allowing
the individual to use it at any of the chamber’s participating
merchants – and that’s a lot in Bradford.