• Sometimes finding just the right gift requires looking beyond the store window.Window display. image by Victor Samoilovich from Fotolia.com
  
  Buying a gift for a difficult person? Think outside the box, literally. The traditional boxed gift is not only a tough purchase, it doesn't strike at what many people truly enjoy, according to some scientists.
  
  "People receive more enduring pleasure and satisfaction from investing in life's experiences than material possessions," says Leaf Van Bowen, a professor at the University of Colorado. Van Bowen conducted a multi-year study on how experiences and possessions affect people's happiness. He found that when he interviewed people about a recent experience they enjoyed versus a recent possession they purchased, those in the study of over 12,000 valued the experience more than the material possession. (Reference 1)
  
  So put away the scissors and ribbon, and put on your thinking cap.
  
  

Unearth hidden talents

• Help the recipient rediscover a long-forgotten interest or talent, or help him cultivate a new one. "Our culture highly values accomplishing goals and challenging oneself, " Van Boven says. Perhaps your recipient has always had an interest in learning to paint, or wants to brush up on his calculus. Buy him a series of classes at a local cultural center, or adult classes at a local university.
  
  

Stay local

• Purchase tickets to an event that the recipient enjoys. For example, a local symphony ticket for the cultural connoisseur, or a sporting event for the avid sports fan. If you are close to the recipient, perhaps buy tickets for two.
  
  

Go abroad

• If this is someone you are close to and you have a sizeable budget, send your recipient on a trip somewhere he has always wanted to go, and go with him if your budget allows. Perhaps purchase the travel tickets and give them the reins to decide the details of what you do once you are there. A recent Dutch study by Jeroen Nawijn, Miquelle A. Marchand, Ruut Veenhoven and Ad J. Vingerhoets suggests that one of the biggest boosts to happiness comes in planning a vacation, not taking it. "Vacationers reported a higher degree of pre-trip happiness, compared to non-vacationers, possibly because they are anticipating their holiday," says the study abstract.(Reference 2)
  
  

Be generous

• Buying for an altruist? Find out what charities she supports. Adults in their later years who are financially secure and share their money with charitable causes will be especially appreciative of your recognition of that interest.
  
  

Say it with love

• It may sound old-fashioned, but a hand-made item is often highly appreciated, and is the perfect item if your budget is tight. Think of your own talents and the items you enjoy making, and how you could share those with your recipient.
  
  

Take the shortcut

• If you're in a pinch, or are not well acquainted with the recipient, there's nothing easier than a gift card. Buy a card to a store that carries many items, such as a major department store, so the recipient has the option to spend on just what she wants.