LOCAL FLAVOR

If you're living away from home, take the opportunity to give your friends and family something representative of your new locale. For example, if you're going to school or working in San Francisco, $25 buys your loved ones a set of inexpensive tea cups and an assortment of teas from your favorite shop in Chinatown. Texas your new state? Buy a few bottles of barbeque sauce from your favorite rib joint to share with folks back home. Local museum shops are another good place to find unique gifts.

And if you're away at school, Mom and Dad are sure to appreciate any paraphernalia from your college bookstore to help them show off how proud they are of you.