Giving Guide: How to give gifts and regift like a pro

True holiday spirit is about giving, unless you’re a cotton-headed ninny-muggins.

Follow our Giving Guide for tips on all the ways you can give (and give back) this Christmas.

Give time

Time is a valuable commodity, and it’s a worthwhile gift anytime, not just Christmas.

For the best use of your time, try pairing volunteer work with your skill set for maximum benefit.

If you’re a college student majoring in PR or communications, see whether a nonprofit needs someone to write news releases or update social media accounts. If you’re a coder, create a website for someone free of charge.

If you’re a musician, go play songs for hospital patients. If you’re a runner, volunteer to be a coach for an organization like Girls on the Run Columbia.

Can’t think of anything specific? Sites like Catchafire will match you with an organization based on your skills.

Give away your stuff

The end of the year is a great time to take inventory of your possessions and get rid of what no longer serves you.

Bonus: Declutter your life, Marie Kondo style.

So crack open your closets and start cleaning them out. For old sports equipment, Play It Again Sports in Columbia accepts donations. For all you girl bosses, consider giving old office clothes to someplace like Dress for Success Columbia, which provides professional attire for women who can’t afford it.

Give money

OK, so you don’t have to be flush with cash to make a monetary holiday contribution.

How about overtipping for that peppermint mocha the next time you hit the coffee shop? Or picking up the tab for the person behind you in the drive-thru? Or simply dropping your spare change in the next Salvation Army bucket you see?

It doesn’t have to hurt your wallet, but it will warm your heart.

Give last-minute gifts

Two words: Gift. Cards.

Anyone who eats food (so, like, everyone) would appreciate a gift certificate for a nice dinner at Terra, Oak Table, Blue Marlin or Motor Supply Co. Bistro.

For the coffee drinker in your life, cards for Drip and Starbucks are just fine.

Also, alcohol. A nice bottle of wine is pretty much a universally acceptable gift for anyone over 21. (Green’s Beverages on Assembly Street will be open on Christmas Eve until 7 p.m.)

It might even be prudent to have a few pairs of fun holiday socks on hand for, say, when a co-worker or cousin gives you a gift and you didn’t get them anything. Same goes for homemade treats.

Give back bad gifts

Odds are, you’ll receive at least one underwhelming gift this Christmas.

Some gracious souls include a gift receipt with their presents. If this is the case, you can return the unwanted item. If not, regifting might be your best bet.

First, remember where your bad gifts came from. There’s nothing worse than regifting to the person who gave you the gift in the first place (it happens).

Second, be sure to rewrap and rewrite the note for the gift.

Third, try to regift to a good home. Someone else might enjoy the furry bunny slippers that you got and hated.

If all else fails, you can always save the gift for the office Secret Santa next year.