If you're anything like me, you wait until the holiday season is in full swing before you descend on department stores and specialty shops desperately hoping to find the right gifts for family and friends. Too often, in your mad dash, you end up grabbing meaningless items, convincing yourself you've gotten everyone something they will love.

Enter one subconscious. "You know those one-size-fits-all scarves are the last thing your family members are hoping for," taunts the little voice in your head. "Remember previous years when you uneasily watched loved ones open your gifts and weakly respond, 'Thanks. It's just what I wanted.'"

Well, listen to that little voice. Thanks to eBay, I am going to get everyone meaningful gifts, and you can too. Here are some tips that you may find helpful as you seek out "Priceless Gifts" this holiday season. (Don't worry, this won't be as painful as finding a parking spot on December 24^th.)

1. Plan Early
   Before you do anything, really take time to think about each person on your list. Has Cousin Sue expressed a desire to start a Lionel train collection? Is your son or daughter dreaming of the latest electronic game system? Would your best friend love to start snowboarding this winter? Perhaps your mom has been lamenting the loss of a favorite jewelry item. Maybe your grandfather would be thrilled to unwrap a copy of his old high school yearbook.

   With more than 5 million items for sale daily in more than 4,000 categories, buying on eBay is a surefire way you can get from "Yeah, that'll do" to "This is PERFECT!" The offerings are as diverse as the tastes of your friends and family members.

2. Find those Priceless Gifts
   eBay's made it easy for you to find this year's holiday must-haves, traditional holiday gifts to treasure for a lifetime and extravagant and once-in-a-lifetime gifts that you can't find anywhere else.

   Don't know what are "must-have" gifts? Here are some of my predictions: Poo-Chi, Playstation2, TiVo personal digital recorder, Handspring Visor, Harry Potter books, gold jewelry and anything related to Britney Spears.

   Some classic gift ideas are vintage board games, first edition books, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, Erector Sets, Lego, Wedgewood china, charm bracelets, vintage record players.

   Or take it up one notch to the truly spectacular - overwhelm a loved one with an "Ultimate Gift." Maybe it's a backstage tour on the set of ER, a makeover by Bobbi Brown in New York City, or a chance to meet baseball legend Nolan Ryan. Imagine giving the gift of playing team hoops with LA Lakers' Kobe Bryant.

3. Bid, Buy and Win on eBay
   eBay has made it easy to access our holiday shopping section of the site. Called "Priceless Gifts," these pages will give you all the information you need to be a master of giving meaningful gifts. www.ebay.com/pricelessgifts

   Whether you are an avid eBay user or have never been online before, visit eBay's "Holiday Shopping Made Easy" tutorial for all the information needed to buy those "Priceless Gifts."

This holiday season, eBay invites you to discover gifts from the heart. Give that '"Priceless Gift" and show your love. The "It's just what I wanted" responses you'll receive this year will be genuine.