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As the holiday season approaches, it's time to make those gift lists. And many times we find ourselves drawn to the idea of making gifts of clothing to friends and family. This can result in some great picks, but all to often it leads to unfortunate gift mismatches: the wrong size, the wrong color, or just plain wrong. If you keep a few things in mind, though, you can enjoy gift-giving success with clothing.

Teenagers are picky
It's a given that teenagers are going to find something wrong with most clothing gifts that come from family members. It's the nature of adolescents attempting to forge their own identities and break away from their parents in ways big and small. So the sweater from mom will probably result in an upturned nose. Just like with people of all other ages, while one teen may love designer labels, another may prefer thrift shop finds, but their sense of identity can be much more tied up with these clothing choices.

Unless you're absolutely sure that you're in tune with a teen's interests and fashion, skip the clothing gifts. If you would still like to get a teen a practical gift of clothing, consider a gift card. Or for a more personalized gift, invite them on a special shopping trip with you with a pre-set budget.

Don't be afraid to ask
If you've decided that you'd like to give someone a clothing gift, take a few minutes to ask the recipient about their wants and such practical items as sizes. If you want to keep the gift a surprise, ask a spouse or parent to find out for you. But knowing these details can mean the difference between a great gift and something that will sit unused because it doesn't fit right.

Be observant
When deciding on a gift, look closely at the recipient and really think about their style. A jeans and t-shirt girl probably won't appreciate a long skirt, while a guy who always wears a button-up shirt, even in casual settings, probably won't appreciate a novelty t-shirt.

Don't buy what you like
Now that's not to say that you should buy things that you hate, but you should make sure you're buying clothing with the gift recipient in mind rather than just buying something you would like to wear. Several years in a row, I endured embroidered denim shirts from my grandmother because she enjoyed the style.

Keep the receipt
Whether you bought the wrong size or it's just something the gift recipient can't see himself wearing, tuck a gift receipt in the package. That way, they can return it without feeling like they're insulting your taste. It's perfectly reasonable to want to remove the price from a gift, but do it in a way that keeps the UPC intact for easier returns.

Overall, giving the gift of clothing is a tricky process, but if you keep the above pointers in mind, you can enjoy stress-free clothing giving. And just keep telling yourself that it's the thought that counts.