(ARA) - For the nearly half of all shoppers who find gift-giving the most challenging aspect of the holidays comes some simple advice for finding thoughtful gifts.

"People are overwhelmed by the task of finding the right holiday gifts at the right prices," says Hillary Mendelsohn, noted shopping authority and Office Depot's gift-giving expert. Approximately 40 percent of holiday shoppers report that purchasing gifts will take up the majority of their time in December, according to a new survey that was commissioned by Office Depot.

Mendelsohn partnered with the retailer to help simplify gift giving and increase shoppers' enjoyment during this busy season. Together, they've developed shopping suggestions that are particularly valuable for busy professionals seeking gifts for colleagues, clients and family. These recommendations address top concerns, such as sticking to a budget - the leading worry for this holiday season according to 44 percent of survey respondents.

Mendelsohn's top advice for efficient holiday shopping includes:

* Create a list of the people you plan to buy gifts for and establish your budget. Include notes on each person's hobbies and interests to help build unique or creative gift ideas.

* Personalize gifts without breaking the bank. With a little thought, gifts can be transformed from practical objects into useful, customized tools. Here are a few examples:
- Buy a labeler and start a filing system for your disorganized friend or family member
- When gifting an MP3 player, load it with the recipient's favorite music. The same concept applies for digital photo frames: load the frame with special photos
- Personalize a calendar by adding important dates and birthdays
- If giving a digital camera for a holiday gift, ensure that it's ready for use by adding a memory card - the Ativa brand is particularly affordable.

* Combine shopping trips to minimize your store visits. Eliminate the hassle and pick up great gifts at "unexpected" locations that you're already visiting. For instance, pick up some of the hottest holiday technology like the Kodak EasyShare V705 Digital Camera or ARCHOS Portable Media Player while shopping for ink cartridges at Office Depot.

* Gift cards are the best business gift. According to the survey, nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of shoppers would prefer to receive a gift card from business colleagues versus a charitable donation (10 percent) or themed gift basket (10 percent).

Visit www.OfficeDepot.com for a complete selection of holiday gift ideas for both work and play.

Courtesy of ARA Content