What kind of gifts are you giving out this year? If you’ve been tarred with the ‘bad gift-giver’ brush, never fear. You can always make this year the year you turn over a new leaf and start choosing better presents for the names on your gift list.
Besides, gift-giving is not a skill people are born with. If you’ve been struggling to decide which presents will help you make that first impression, get that hug from your sisters, or kiss from your partner, here’s solid advice to get you started.
Look for Unique Gifts
That’s easier said than not. But it’s also helpful advice if you know how to use it. Start with personalized gifts. Many online shops offer customized items. That gives you many chances to choose from a variety of options. Personalize the items with their names. It doesn’t have to be expensive. But if you’re giving the same item to your co-workers, a name can make all the difference. Your co-workers will feel those warm, fuzzy feelings each time they glance at your gift and see their name.
Consider Hobbies
Picking a gift to customize isn’t always easy. Start with something you’re familiar with. If you’re giving gifts to your friends, you probably know their hobbies. Do they love playing online games, writing poetry, or reading romance fantasy books? That already gives you so much material and choices to play with. You can pick titles from the top best-sellers on Amazon. Consider a piece of merch they can customize from an online game. You can also pick up the latest poetry collection from their favorite author. All these gifts tell the person that you care about them.
Use Your Memories
Bring your personalised gifts to the next level. Maybe choose an item with special meaning or significance to you and your best friend. Give them that lollipop plushie. It’ll remind them of when you were crying in school, and all they had in their pocket was a lollipop, which they gave you to console you and stop your tears. That’s a lovely memory you can look back on with fondness. Consider that idea. You probably have a million unforgettable memories with the people you love.
Pick some of those and find gifts that will automatically make your loved ones think of those fun moments. Maybe you all went on a trip together. Perhaps you were all in the trenches together, starting work as fresh graduates years ago, knowing nothing about it, only to spend the next few decades in that industry. That kind of bond rarely goes away. With that level of history and connection, you can have a goldmine with personalised gifts.
Choose with Enthusiasm
Consider the energy you put into searching for that gift. Are you excited? Are you thrilled to have found that gift, and can’t wait to see your friend’s face when they open the package? Your energy and enthusiasm can leak through when you shop for gifts. So, if you’re bored and disengaged or excited and happy, that can show, too.
Shop for Inspiration
Browsing online shops can give you numerous ideas on what gifts to give. There are just-because gifts, holiday presents, trending gag gifts, and more. Some are gardening gifts, and others are pick-me-up gifts. You can also choose items for specific areas. For instance, a decorative rug will look glorious in a living room. Personalize that with the person’s name, and you’ve got a hit.
Ask for Advice
It doesn’t hurt to ask for suggestions. You usually see this between co-workers. If you want to give your co-workers an excellent, inexpensive gift but are unsure what they like, get some recommendations from people who know you both. Approach common friends and ask.
Factor in Your Relationship
Is it your friend? Are you buying gifts for a family member? Or are you shopping for a present for your partner? Focusing on your relationship can also point you in the right direction. You might want to check out popular gifts for mothers and sisters. Consider gifts popular for grandparents, like sweaters, framed photos, and more.
Stay on Budget
Gifts don’t have to break the bank. Find simple, small items that you can give to people. You can show your appreciation for them through these small items. A pen in their favourite color, a candle with their favourite scent, cakes, key holders, and more. Keep to that budget, so you won’t have to worry about buying gifts that put you in the red.
Think of Anniversaries
If you want gifts that come with an emotional punch, consider anniversary tokens. It doesn’t have to be a romantic anniversary. It can be a work anniversary or the anniversary of the first time you both saw each other. It can be an anniversary of your marriage or your first date. With anniversaries, you get plenty of fantastic options.
