When it's time to start shopping for the holidays, most gift-givers I know tend to head for the major department stores and other large retailers. It's not a surprise. Week after week those same retailers send out beautifully-presented, glossy circulars with advertisements for big holiday savings on the latest brand names. And aren't these the things, after all, that your family and friends want?

It is true that these large retailers are a great place to shop for holiday gifts. Particularly as the holidays close in, they do tend to run sweeping sales. Plus, they have a huge selection. You have the luxury of buying -- or at least browsing for -- many gifts in one place.

Often overlooked in the holiday rush, however, are smaller, specialty shops. It's easy to pass them by. After all, with their small storefronts and often only one or two small aisles, what could a store like that have to offer at Christmastime?

As a matter of fact, these stores have plenty to offer.

The nice thing about specialty stores is, as their name states, that they specialize. They often don't have the same gifts that you find in department store after department store. Their selection is smaller, but different.

In large department stores, it's easy to fall back on the tried-and-true basics of holiday gift giving: pretty sweaters, nice jewelry, maybe an appliance or two. In smaller, specialty stores, the approach is different, somehow more personalized. Sure you might have to spend more time out shopping because you aren't shopping for everything in one or two large stores, but efficiency shouldn't be your only priority when gift shopping.

Think about the people on your gift list this year. For a bird lover, why not head into a garden supply store where you might find unique bird feeders, books on identifying bird calls, or kits for starting your own bird and butterfly garden? For a knick-knack lover, try a collectibles store, or a Hallmark shop. For the kid at heart, check out the hobbies store. There are specialty stores for everyone on your gift list.