1. For gadget and technology lovers, gift the Apple iPad or any other electronic tablet for reading, browsing, and playing around. The iPad is sure to be a big hit this holiday season, especially since you can customize with different memory sizes, wireless options, and financing plans. You should also check out the competitors on the block: Samsung Galaxy Tab, Dell Streak, and for reading only, the Amazon Kindle.

2. For fashionable family members, accessories are the way to go. Size doesn’t matter, and great wardrobe additions like scarves, mittens, earmuffs, hats, bags, wallets, and fun jewelry are often items your fashion forward recipient wouldn’t think to buy for him or herself. Hits of the season? Chunky knit scarves, anything military-inspired, and gloves—fingerless, colorful, or even lacy to go with that fabulously dramatic outfit.

3. Going back to #2, if your family member loves fashion but you have absolutely no idea where to start, a gift card to a department store or favorite boutique is a great alternative. It’s an automatic shopping spree for the giftee to enjoy, which can be a fun gift in itself!

4. Beer, Wine, and Food—oh my! If the way to your family member’s heart is through his or her stomach, food and drink-related gifts are always a treat. The possibilities are endless: a year membership to a beer or wine club, cooking classes, or a gift card to that acclaimed new restaurant that everyone's been talking about.

5. Turn a hobby into a gift. If your dad loves golf, why reinvent the wheel? Score him some new golf shirts, head covers, or even a new club. If your mom loves any movie starring George Clooney, get her an array of flicks starring the hunky heartthrob himself. The moral of the story is, start with something you know and go from there.

And men, don’t forget—when in doubt: jewelry, jewelry, jewelry.

Before you gorge on turkey, stuffing, and all of the trimmings this year, why not sign up for a local road race and run for the sake of your waistline on the biggest eating day of the year? Big cities and small towns alike all over the country host Turkey Trots on Thanksgiving Day to promote good health on a notoriously unhealthy holiday—in fact, Thanksgiving is one of the biggest race days of the year!

So if you want to feel guilt-free about Thanksgiving this year, click here to find a race near you!

There’s no place better to celebrate than Philadelphia, the birthplace of Independence Day! This year the City of Brotherly Love’s Wawa Welcome America! Festival 2010 is a mega 10-day celebration that includes Wawa Hoagie Day, a citywide picnic, live performances by the Goo Goo Dolls and The Roots, and THREE Fireworks shows. Now that’s a celebration! For more information, click here!

And if you’re planning on celebrating the holiday with close friends, family, and of course, food; make sure to concoct a few patriotic cocktails, whip up a July 4th-themed dessert, and get grilling!