Wish-list wisdom: Three things holiday shoppers need to know to get it right this year

Holiday shopping is full of challenges, from the crowds and traffic, to finding the right gift for everyone on the list. Thankfully, a new study on what gift seekers want is helping to make giving easier this year. According to the findings - and expert advice - here are three things all shoppers should know before they buy:

Money talks and family matters.
Those expecting gifts this holiday season have two things in mind - their futures and families. According to a pre-holiday study commissioned by grooming products company Wahl, 35 percent of people are most interested in a gift that can help them save money this year while nearly one-third would most appreciate a gift the whole family can use.

As lifestyle trend expert and TV personality Laura Dellutri explains, "The current economic challenges mean practical gifts are once again appealing this year. Gifts for the family and ones that can help you save money are always good choices."

Gifts that support this trend include energy-saving devices, entertainment gift certificates and practical family gifts such as a home haircutting kit.

Fit in.
"With more people concerned about their health these days, gifts that promote healthy and active living should do well this year," says Dellutri. Given the choice of one gift, one in five people would agree. This particularly appeals to the boomer generation and 30-somethings, according to Wahl's holiday study.

Gifts that support this trend include products that promote healthy eating, as well as exercise equipment, active wear and therapeutic massagers.

Look good, feel good.
"Given the times, most people will appreciate a gift that helps them look and feel good," Dellutri says. This particularly appeals to 20-somethings, according to Wahl's holiday study. In fact, both men and women 18 to 29 rank appearance over health as far as gifts they would most appreciate - although looking good was secondary to money and family.

Gifts that support this trend include clothing, beauty products and grooming tools such as Wahl's new Lithium Ion lineup.

Wahl is a leading manufacturer of grooming and massage therapy products.