Southampton - Stephanie Finkelstein, gift expert and owner of The Elegant Setting (31 Main Street, Southampton, NY, 11968, 631-283-4747, www.theelegantsetting.com), offers these top 10 tips for shopping this holiday season:

 • Holiday Shopping Tip #1: Ship it to 9021, um, um - Oh I have no idea of the address: Be sure to go shopping with an updated address book. Many stores offer discounted and free shipping options this time of year. Save money and a trip to the post office by having stores ship directly to out-of-state friends and relatives. But you have to know the correct address!

 • Holiday Shopping Tip #2: What a thoughtful gift, mixed nuts and a trip to the hospital: Make sure you are knowledgeable of allergies and preferences when buying food gifts. Cousin Billy the vegetarian certainly won't want a membership to The Sausage of the Month Club. And Families with young children may be dealing with nut allergies. If you aren't 100 percent sure you aren't causing a health risk, be safe and avoid food gifts.

 • Holiday Shopping Tip #3: Come to dinner when? Tonight?: Be on the lookout for hostess gifts that you can stock up on. This way you can always be prepared when last minute invites pop-up. Candles, stationary and picture frames are always a thoughtful "thank you" for a holiday hostess.

 • Holiday Shopping Tip #4: Christine, Kristine or is it Kristen?: As well as updated addresses, always have full names and proper spellings handy before going shopping. Monogramming is an ideal way to add that extra personal touch to gifts such as robes, totes and throws. Here at the Elegant Setting we see many customers having to make quick, stressful, last minutes calls for names and spellings. We love monogramming our speciality items and want our costumers to enjoy the experience.

 • Holiday Shopping Tip #5: Now, if only I had $100: Think about the pricing of your gifts and how the recipient will respond to it. Be sure to choose a comfortable and appropriate price range that reflects your relationship with the recipient. You don't want to put anyone in the awkward position of feeling they must recipricate with a gift of equal value, if you give an overly expensive gift.

 • Holiday Shopping Tip #6: From your heart and hands to their home: Homemade gifts always add a degree of thought and charm that can't be purchased at a store. At this time of year many people are entertaining and would appreciate one less item to prepare because you gave them a tray of cookies or a set of exotic dips. If you are a sewer or knitter don't forget to add tags that read "Homemade with love by ___" You're friends and family will never forget creativity and thoughtfulness.

 • Holiday Shopping Tip #7: I'd love this if it were just the right color and the right size: Always ask stores for gift receipts. With the varying return policies out there - then not being about to enjoy a present because it doesn't fit and then returning it is a nightmare. In the unfortunate event that someone must make a return, your friends and family will have much less hassle if they are armed with a gift reciept. It makes an even exchange much easier or a store credit will be given in its place. In the end, everyone will be satisfied with their gifts.

 • Holiday Shopping Tip #8: Bigger is not always better: Sometimes it is hard to enjoy your shopping experience because larger stores have larger lines and waits to match. Try exploring local towns and villages with smaller, specialty stores. In our shop we offer pesonalized, one-one-on shopping assistance that you just can't get in the larger chain stores. In smaller stores you may find unique things that you didn't even know you were looking for but it will make the perfect gift. And just like in the larger department stores, small stores do offer their own special sales and discounts.

 • Holiday Shopping Tip #9: I'm sorry Sir, your gift-wrapped vacuum cleaner just won't fit in the overhead compartment: If you are travelling for the holidays, don't be afraid to ship gifts ahead of time. With increased baggage limitations, flying with gifts can add an extra headache to your travel time. And even with third rows and roof racks, the family SUV can only hold so much. Travel with an added sense of ease knowing your gifts will be awaiting your arrival at out of state friends or families.

 • Holiday Shopping Tip #10: Even Santa gets some cookies at every stop: Have you found the perfect sweater for your sister and it just happens to be perfect for you too? Go ahead and treat yourself to something special. If you're fighting early birds, late owls and the endless lines, you deserve that scented bath oil and chocolate truffle tray to help relax afterwards. Keeping yourself relaxed and happy will help you to enjoy the holiday season even more!

For further information on The Elegant Setting visit www.theelegantsetting.com or call The Elegant Setting at 631-283-4747.