Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Bob Carlson researches all facets of retirement finances. Most people wait until late in the year to plan their charitable gifts ...

The challenge with experience gifts isn’t their value. It’s making them feel as exciting and tangible as traditional presents. How do you wrap a cooking class? How do you make a family vacation feel ...

For most of my life, I’ve been a gift bag person. Coming up with gift ideas I can do but gift wrapping? Not so much. Folding perfect edges or cutting the right amount of paper has never come easy.

A version of this essay first appeared in The Bite, Salon's food newsletter. Sign up for early access to articles like this, plus recipes, food-related pop culture recommendations and conversations ...