It’s certainly not the usual holiday season this year. Whether you’re looking forward to Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, or another cultural celebration, it’s unlikely you’ll partake in the usual festivities or merrymaking. In fact, very little may resemble prior years’ celebrations, with perhaps the exception of gift-giving. But even that will likely look and feel different this year. You may witness the unwrapping of presents via Zoom or exchange gifts via the mail carrier rather than in person. And what to give and what to receive? Surveys suggest many of us are of a different mind this year. For example, one recent survey reports that a significant portion of us are rethinking gift-giving this year, though gift cards (easy to purchase and send) remain wildly popular. But many of us, in keeping with our pandemic focus on food, would rather receive a food item than another sort of gift. If you feel that way, perhaps send a hint with a link to Goldbelly. Or if you’re struggling with how to come up with appropriate gifts given the strangeness of this year, take a look at some science-backed recommendations here.

Given the infection risk associated with indoor shopping (and the economic toll the pandemic has taken on local businesses), it’s likely many of us will be shopping online for this year’s presents. If you’re new to this rodeo, you probably should take heed of expert warnings for safer online shopping. According to the Center for Internet Security, make sure your computer is well-equipped with security software and make sure you only purchase from trusted websites that have “HTTPS” in their website address bar as well as a “lock icon” on their address bar to ensure they employ appropriate security on their site. And according to personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary of The Washington Post, you should never use your debit card to make an online purchase and always check out as a guest if possible, to limit the amount of personal data held online. Moreover, given that scammers are waiting for you to make a mistake, never respond to a pop-up advertising a bargain or an email solicitation offering you something for nothing- if you’re interested, go directly to the website in question to see if that offer is truly on their site.

As for actual gifts, this year may pose a conundrum. Do you want to indulge your recipient with something special, given the sacrifices so many of us have made (say, for example, something from That’s Not My Age’s Christmas Shop or maybe a beauty item suggested by older beauty blogger Melissa Meyers) or would you rather go the way of something quieter and more cerebral, given the tenor of the times (such as a book subscription or a new highly touted board game)? For those of you who are budget conscious (and who’s not these days), check out the New York Times Wirecutter’s 73 best gifts under $25. Or consider the 101 best gifts for seniors, all available on Amazon with prices ranging from $6 to $950. And don’t forget about the books and products recommended on the agebuzz website!

Many of us are looking for gifts with more meaning, perhaps even those that give back to worthy organizations or help support those with critical needs at this moment. If that’s your plan, then consider Oprah’s suggestion of 36 gifts that give back or the collaborative gifts available from Feeding America, which has partnered with such entities as Disney and Crate and Barrel to ensure your gift will do double duty by helping to fight hunger this season. Or, if you’re trying to find the best item for someone experiencing grief right now, items that help produce pleasant memories or soothing sounds might be just the thing.

Finally, for those of you glued to the screen with this season’s episodes of The Crown, consider the brand new book, Long Live the Queen: 23 Rules for Living from Britain’s Longest-Reigning Monarch, with suggestions that may just get us all through this most “annus horribilis.”