Text by Corina Tan
It’s gift giving season and while it may seem exciting for some, this is a daunting task for others. Buying someone a gift that expresses how you truly feel and what they really like at the same time isn’t always easy, but when you get it right, the joy it brings is worth it. Consider these simple strategies when picking out a gift for someone.
LISTEN
While a surprise may seem like a good idea at first, sticking to what they actually said they wanted is a good idea. For instance, if they said they wanted a piece of jewellery in silver, but you think that silver is cheap and boring because everybody has it, so you go with gold instead, this could be the wrong move. There could be reasons why a person explicitly said they wanted it in silver – to match something they already own, to personalise it according to their wardrobe and so on. Researchers find that recipients are more appreciative of gifts they specifically asked for, so forget about what you think and get them what they actually want.
SIZE DOESN’T MATTER
At times you may feel that the bigger the better, and in some situations that may be true, but this isn’t always the case. Depending on what the object is, recipients may not like the fact that you went overboard and got them something beyond the size that they expected it to be because it may just not be very suitable. For example, a gigantic diamond on a really petite person may look strangely odd, so know when to tone it down and be practical.
BE OPEN
If you know that the recipient is someone who is picky or fussy, giving cash or a gift card may be the best idea. Initially it may seem thoughtless or impersonal, but since you’re aware that the person you want to buy something for is extremely particular, it is better if they had the option to choose something themselves on your dime. This shows that you’re open to letting them make their own selection and they may appreciate this much more than getting something they didn’t want instead.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
When all else fails, and you are at your wits end, create a wonderful experience for your loved one to enjoy. It could be an all-expense paid holiday to somewhere they’ve always wanted to go to, a favourite concert that they missed before, music lessons if they’ve always wanted to learn their favourite instrument, flight lessons if they’ve always wanted to fly, and the list goes on. It can basically be any experience that you know will bring them immense pleasure and joy, but they just never got around to doing it themselves.
Here’s hoping these simply tips will get you through any gift-giving season or special celebration.
