The holidays are a great time to show your loves ones just how much they mean to you. But, we all know that finding unique and thoughtful gifts can be a challenge. Here are some tips for finding gifts they will love:

Everyone loves comfort. For the hard-to-buy-for friend or family member, think about their softer side. Who wouldn't want luxurious bed sheets or a soft, neutral-colored throw blanket? These kinds of gifts are even great for "manly men" because they may never think to buy something like it for themselves.

Make it personal. Engraving or other types of personalization make any gift more special. Luckily, it's easy to find inscribed versions of gifts for anyone on your list: wooden toy boxes for kids with their names carved on the lid, engraved martini shakers for single 20-somethings, personalized pill boxes for grandparents.

A TV-lover's paradise. Sometimes it can be hard to identify someone's hobby or obvious interest, but most people have a favorite TV show. There are fun gifts associated with almost every show. Great ideas include everything from the DVD's of the entire season to "behind the scenes" books to humorous t-shirts. If you're looking for a gift for the viewer of more serious shows, try a book written by a national network news anchor.

Combine a small gift with a gift certificate. Gift certificates are great because the recipient can choose what they really want. But, they sometimes feel impersonal. A nice option is to give a small, personal gift along with the gift certificate. For instance, you could give a small picture frame along with a certificate to a home accessories store.

Think green. Many households are trying to be more environmentally friendly. There are lots of great gifts with a cool "green" twist. For the ladies in your life, check out jewelry made from recycled items. For electronic enthusiasts, how about solar-powered battery chargers for their cell phones, cameras, and laptops?

From your heart. The best gifts can often cost the least amount of money. Telling someone why you appreciate them is a gift that he or she will treasure forever. Write a heartfelt letter on pretty stationary and present it in a keepsake box. If you are more technically savvy, put together an electronic picture slide show interspersed with quotes from loved ones.

The gift of giving. Most people would love to give more to the organizations that they support. A caring gift idea is to choose a charity that has a gift you can buy to support it, such as an environmental organization's teddy bear or a breast cancer awareness bracelet, and present your recipient with both the small token gift and a receipt of your donation in her name. And don't count out men for this gift -- you can even buy a silk tie with the National Hockey League "Fights Cancer" logo!

Give an experience. These days, we often have more "stuff" than we know what to do with. Why not give your loved one a fun event to always remember? And you don't have to just choose from restaurant gift certificates or concert tickets. There is a wide range of "experience gifts." For men, there are cigar-tasting events, lunches with a professional ball player, or high-end car rentals. For women, choose from an in home chef-prepared dinner, spa treatments, or hot air balloon rides.