Making a list? Checking it twice? Here are some guidelines to keep befuddled spouses, parents of teenagers and others on the right track.

*** TUPAC SHAKUR, “The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory,” Death Row. While there are moments of power and poignancy, this side project lacks the full ambition and range of Shakur’s best work.

*

Albums and other items in the Gift Guide are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).