I'm a fan of giving gifts no matter what time of year it is, because the idea of shopping during the holidays stresses the crap out of me. After working over a decade in the retail industry I can assure you that the month of November and or December doesn't bring out the best in some of us. Stores don't make it any better either with their rock bottom pricing on [insert that special item you thought Jane or Matt needed, but didn't even know they really wanted].

Cheap televisions, stinky cologne and riot-inducing toys aside, the cosmetics industry certainly brings their own je ne se quoi -- gift packs with single use samples which can be a b*tch to open and well, after squeezing half the product onto the floor your gift recipient is left thinking, "why bother?" This said kit is then tossed into a drawer, left for dead until Spring 2016 and promptly chucked in the bin with the rest of their dusty castoffs.

My advice to you when shopping for your significant other, loved ones and or friends is to put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself, "would I want this for myself?" Now, I realise this takes a modicum of effort, but isn't this time of year really about the thought that counts rather than obligatory timing?

What I have here today is something for the makeup lover(s) in your life, MAC's Red Keepsake Red Lip Bag; this set also comes in nude and coral if you're uncertain about their level of makeup brazenness. Why does this particular thing make for a great gift? Well, let me breakdown the art of gift giving for both the giver and receiver.

It comes in a box = easy to wrap/unwrap
The price point for this gift pack is a few dollars cheaper than purchasing each item individually. Don't forget about that sparkle-laden makeup bag, MAC practically throws it in for free!
Full-size items on the cheaper
Options abound for the wearer

Finally, if you feel like spending a few more dollars on Jane, may I suggest throwing in a pencil sharpener, pencils don't sharpen themselves and a tube of MAC's Prep + Prime Lip, chapped lips and matte lippie isn't a good look for anyone, got it?