While we know that it’s better to give than receive, still it’s always nice when a gift exchange doesn’t result in awkward silence, tears, or a store return.

To avoid gift giving disasters this year, check out these easy tips from shopping experts at the bargain hunting website, RedFlagDeals.com:

Use your ears. Listen up when someone is talking about their hobby so you can avoid buying something they already have or something they won’t be able to use. Striking up a conversation with them is a great way to narrow things down.

Crowd Source. If you’re not sure about your gift, it never hurts to consult other people. Your best bet is people close to the recipient. You can also consult the community at RedFlagDeals.com, which has many savvy shoppers among its 500,000 members.

Do some research. There’s nothing worse than a great gift that just misses the mark, like a beautiful sweater in the wrong size. If you’re buying a video game, make sure you’re buying it for the right system. You don’t want to show up with the greatest, hottest game from 2008.

It’s a gift, not a lecture. Even if you mean well, giving gifts like a self-help book or dieting book may offend people. Instead, you could play it safe and give a gift card to a sporting goods store. You never want your gift to make someone feel bad.

www.newscanada.com

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Canadian Home Trends magazine gives you a personal tour of the most stunning homes and condos across Canada. You'll be inspired by a selection of accessible home décor products, trend reports, simple yet stylish DIY projects, and much more. In each issue, you are given the tools to recreate designer spaces you've always dreamt of having at home, in-depth renovation and design advice, colour palette and furniture pairings, and Canada's best places to shop.

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