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Meet Lisa Thomas, the winner of our first contest search for a Fantastic Gift Finder! This contest sought applicants who are familiar with the PA Christmas + Gift Show, who possess savvy shopping skills, and who could select and recommend some fantastic gifts from the huge selection offered by the show’s 550-plus vendors.

And we found a fantastic winner! A married mom from Lebanon, PA, Lisa has been shopping at the show for the past 15 years. She’s a former teacher whose two boys, ages 12 and 9, love to help her plan, decorate and celebrate the holidays.

We asked Lisa to share more about herself, and offer some of her expert tips about shopping the show:

What makes you a fantastic gift finder?

It’s my personal mission to find the perfect gift for everyone in my life. I am familiar with many of the regularly-participating vendors at the show, and always go shopping with a strategy. My household has three birthdays within nine days of Christmas (my oldest son was born on Christmas Day), which means I also have to stretch the budget. I feel that I have perfected the art of gift shopping during the holiday season! And I love being creative and having fun while doing it.

I regularly attend the show with my mother-in-law to shop for gifts for my children, other family members, and friends, and understand what a wide range of shoppers are looking for.

What qualities do you look for when gift shopping?

As a crafter myself, I appreciate the hard work and craftsmanship that goes into each product sold at the show. I like to ask questions and get information from the vendors. Sometimes I think I annoy them, but I want to know as much as possible about something before I buy it. I also like reading and researching about products.

I also admire the detail in many of the gifts I’ve purchased at the show, such as scroll-saw personalized icicle tree ornaments, gourd creations, stamp engraved necklaces, a personalized light-up reindeer, and more.

What do you like most about shopping at the show?

I love that there’s a general happy feeling there. People are cheerful! Going to the show always puts me in the Christmas spirit. One year, I bought a small sign, then found a bigger one that was perfect, so I convinced my mother-in-law to take the smaller one, and I bought the bigger one. Other shoppers complimented me on my smart shopping. It’s just a great spirit throughout the building, with lots of camaraderie.

I also shop for Christmas decor at the show. We are a little red truck family -- if I see one, I want to buy it. It embodies Christmas for me.

Have some tips for stocking stuffers?

They are usually the first gifts to be opened, so they should be fun, unique and appropriate. For adults, think about what they enjoy, whether it’s a hobby, being outdoors, or a favorite candy. Something useful is good, too: for example, I gave my husband some rechargeable hand warmers. For kids, go with something that they are currently into, like dinosaurs, sharks, or LEGO.

How about a gift for someone who’s hard to shop for?

Something that they wouldn’t necessarily get for themselves, but that you think they would enjoy. One of the gifts I recommend as a Favorite Find this year is the Nuckleberry ReadiFeeder, a fun, decorative bird seed feeder. I gave one as a gift for someone who’s typically hard to shop for, and they loved it.

What are your tips for navigating the show, and making the most of your shopping visit?

Come prepared, especially if it’s your first time. Look at the floor map and vendor descriptions on the website, and buy tickets in advance to avoid the box office line.

You really can get all your gifts there, so bring your whole list. We like to start our shopping in the rooms farthest from the entrance. We beat the lunch crowds by eating our lunch early, and bring a collapsible shopping cart for carrying our purchases.

Always keep your eyes out for a better deal, because sometimes you’ll see something and a little while later, you’ll see the same or a very similar thing. Be sure to check and compare the quality, as it can vary.

See Lisa’s 5 Favorite Finds at this year’s show here, and follow Lisa on Instagram @sahmlisakate and TikTok @ThomaLlamas