Gift-giving is an art. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand it, which is why they offer random presents that don’t mean much to the receiver. Buyers fail at delivering something valuable and genuine because they prefer to purchase a present they like, considering the receiver will also appreciate the gift. However, people are considerably different and like different things.
We know that sometimes gift-giving can be expensive, and not everyone has an unlimited budget for the people they care about. This impediment might contribute to offering a present not to the recipient’s liking, but with only a little imagination; anyone can create the perfect gift.
Here are a few aspects to consider before hunting for the ideal gift that will help you put a smile on the face of the receiver.
What are your common interests?
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This is the easiest starting point. Regardless of the person you want to offer a present to, you might recall a conversation at some point where you discussed something you both like. It can be anything ―a book, a song or a meal type. This will help you understand more about the person we’re talking about, so you can guess what kind of gift they’ll like.
For example, if you talk about how great a book is, you can either get a unique hardcover version of it or offer them the e-book. If they are fond of a song, you can offer them merch from the artists. There are so many ideas that you’d somewhat be overwhelmed!
Choosing a suitable gift bag that matches their personality is also essential. A cheerful person should receive a packaged gift with plentiful coloured ribbons, while more serious people might be happier with minimalist packaging.
Is a physical gift better than an experience?
While you cannot go wrong with regular gifts, sometimes you can spice things up and instead offer an experience that a person will enjoy. If you know them well enough, you may be aware of their wishes or needs, which is why an experience might count as much more than a physical gift.
Luckily, many options are available, and they’re provided by trustful companies, so don’t worry about the quality of your gift. For example, you can offer them a free massage session if their back hurts or a gym program for a month if they always want to hit the gym but have never found the motivation.
Rather than a physical present, giving an experience can strengthen the bond between you two, so your relationship will become more valuable. Personalized gifts are always the best option, such as you can create a yearbook with the help of a yearbook maker and present it to your loved one.
What about simply popping up the question?
If we’re talking about an anniversary or birthday, you may do them a favour by asking, “What would you like to get?”. Of course, being this straightforward isn’t for anybody, neither for nervous introverts or pretentious people. But, if you think the receiver won’t be offended by the question, this would be the best decision for offering them something significant and useful.
You can also ask them to provide you with a short list of things they’ve been wanting for a while so you can choose one or two of them, depending on your budget and the occasion. This way, the receiver will definitely use the gift, and you’ll be a happy giver. A simple question can make things so much easier, especially when you’re not used to offering presents or are simply clueless about what to purchase.
Sometimes, DIY is better than going shopping
DIY-ed gifts are also suitable for a specific type of person, the crafty one. While creating the present yourself may not be necessary to make that person happy, we guarantee they’ll be impressed by your commitment and patience.
There are many things you can DIY and succeed in, although it may be complicated to finish a project on the first try, so here’s what we recommend doing that has minimum effort:
- A photo book with pictures of yourselves or things that connect you;
- Personalised photo magnets;
- A custom calendar;
At the same time, you can do something even more special by learning a new skill and offering then:
- A homemade card with a hand-written message;
- An embroidered shirt;
- A cake or some cookies;
Spend time stalking them
If you’ve got plenty of time ahead before their birthday, let’s say you can “stalk” them a little bit, especially when you don’t know them well. If you’re coworkers or classmates, you can watch them or listen to their conversations with others (not in a creepy way) to have an idea of what they like.
For example, you can observe the brand of bag they have and maybe get a smaller pouch from the same company. Or, if you heard them talk about a movie, this will offer you a hint of what to get them, such as a ticket to something similar.
If you’re a bit more extroverted, talking to them and starting casual conversations that will give you important information about them would be great. Of course, you don’t have to be pushy; they might not enjoy your interactions because they’re introverted, so don’t try too much.
There are many other ways to offer a meaningful gift without knowing the person well. You can talk to their friends and ask them more about proposing a present and gather information from various sources to come up with something decent. At the least, you can generalise ―if they read in class, offer them a book; if they like food, give them a free meal. What you should not do is assume they want something you like, and simply buy a present that you’d like to receive.
Did these tips help you?
Gift-giving is one of the most challenging tasks but also the most meaningful. Seeing someone smiling after receiving a gift is very fulfilling, and knowing you made them happy will also boost your mood. So, take your time to find the perfect gift and remember: this is not about you; it’s about them.
