The holiday season should bring peace and joy. More often, it brings stress. Searching for the right presents for family and business associates can deplete your energy and make it tough to enjoy the holidays.
These strategies for finding the perfect gift for anyone should help ease the angst.
Ask Giftees What They Want, and Give It to Them
It’s so easy to overthink gift-giving, but people love getting what they’ve asked you to give them. Ask family and friends what they’d like, and give it to them.
Don’t try to find something similar but “better.” They’ve said what they want, so when you’re the person who gets it for them, you win.
Go Based on Interests
When you don’t know someone well, as is usually the case with business associates, try to find out one significant thing about the person’s interests and get something related to that. It can be a scarf in their favorite color or a book by their favorite author. Stay away from intimate things, like bath salts or perfume.
Don’t Bust the Budget
Kids will often ask for items that are out of reach financially. Adults do it too. When the response to your question about what someone wants is the newest 800-dollar gaming system, say, “Even Santa has a budget! What else would you like?”
Solve Problems, Don’t Create Them
Pay attention to what giftees have been complaining about lately, whether they don’t have enough hot pads in the kitchen or their dull garden tool won’t cut weeds anymore. Fix that; they’ll be grateful.
On the other hand, gift cards put pressure on your recipient to find themselves something. Gift certificates to their favorite shop, service, or restaurant, on the other hand, give them a specific place to go or experience to enjoy.
Listen When They Say They Have Everything They Need
You may know someone whose response is, “Oh, don’t worry about me; I have everything I need. I just like spending time with you.”
There are things you can do or get for the person who has everything they need. Schedule extra time to visit with your Mom, aunt, or sibling. Call and drop by to bake with them while you have a chat.
Bring something they’d never buy for themselves, like a series of advanced baking classes or a subscription box that delivers books, spices, or exotic teas and coffees.
Finding the perfect gift for anyone doesn’t have to be stressful. Keeping a running list of gift ideas will help you when gifting occasions approach, so buy yourself a gift journal to keep track!
Related Posts:
- Five Useful Tips for Putting Together Gift Baskets
- 6 Cute Personalized Gift Ideas For Your Kids
- Meaningful and Unique Gift Ideas for Moms Who Want Nothing and Have Everything
- What are some great gifts for women?
- 6 Interesting Gift Ideas That Your Kids Will Love
- How To Get What You Really Want For Christmas
