There are folks in my life who’re essentially the most fantastic present givers—all the time considerate, all the time distinctive, all the time spot-on. I’ve realized some classes from these family and friends members on easy methods to be a extremely great gift giver, and I’m sharing them with you at the moment. These gift-giving concepts apply to any event—from holidays to birthdays and each little celebration in between. Right here’s to sharing significant items with the folks we love.
5 Methods to Be a Actually Good Present Giver
1. Hear all yr spherical—or begin now!
Individuals let you know what they love, and considerate gift-giving begins with listening in these moments. With everybody in my life, I’ve been listening to what they are saying and tuning into what excites them. I maintain an ear out for present concepts all yr spherical so I’m not dashing when the vacations (or birthdays) arrive.
Have they began a brand new interest? Ask the way it’s going and glean inspiration from there. Are they making a giant transition into retirement or transferring throughout the nation? Hear for tactics to assist out, have fun, or honor the milestone. The most effective items are those that present somebody you discover the little issues they’re loving or pursuing.
2. Acquire present concepts in a single place.
Don’t depend on your self to recollect the concepts you choose up by way of all your listening. Work out a strategy to acquire the data and set up it. I primarily use the iPhone Notes app. Joe and I’ve a shared observe with a listing of the birthdays of individuals in our lives. Beneath every identify, I’ll write down thought starters for items and issues I do know they take pleasure in. I additionally avoid wasting concepts verbally within the Voice Memos app, which is a straightforward strategy to get concepts out of my head within the second so I can revisit them later.
3. Ask for a listing.
For those who’re caught, don’t be afraid to ask the individual for a brief listing of precisely what they need. Some folks shrink back from being this direct or assume it takes the magic out of gifting. I feel it’s a wonderfully affordable manner to make sure you’re giving a present that will likely be used and loved. Once I ask for a listing, I discover the gifting expertise simply as gratifying as after I consider present concepts alone. This leads me to my subsequent level…
4. The present doesn’t have to be a shock.
Don’t fear about developing with the “excellent” present thought. You don’t need to shock them with one thing sudden both! Selecting a present from their want listing is a superb strategy to delight them and get them one thing they really need. I bought Joe a particular pair of sneakers he requested for on his birthday, and his response was as if it was a complete shock. He was so excited!! It jogged my memory that true surprises are overrated generally.
5. Don’t overcompensate.
Be careful for the temptation to overcompensate, particularly once you’re unsure what your giftee desires. Relating to gift-giving, we regularly find yourself spending an excessive amount of, which makes everybody uncomfortable. I consider the episode of The Workplace the place Michael gave a video iPod within the group change when the spending restrict was $20.
Typically, sentimental items imply as a lot (if no more) than expensive objects. For Joe’s birthday this yr, I recorded a video about why I like him and the children did too. It was a novel strategy to seize this second in time and it didn’t price a factor. If overcompensating is a sample of yours, hopefully the concepts on this put up will show you how to keep away from it!
For extra gift-giving inspiration, I’ll be sharing my vacation present information on Wit & Delight this month! Till then, browse final yr’s present information to get the present concepts flowing.
Kate is the founding father of Wit & Delight. She is at present studying easy methods to play tennis and is ceaselessly testing the boundaries of her artistic muscle. Observe her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.