It can be quite difficult to pick a gift for someone you don’t know much about, like a co-worker or an acquaintance. Without an insight into the recipient’s preferences, hobbies, likes and dislikes, you might as well be shooting arrows in the dark. Since personalisation is off the table, the safest and simplest approach in this situation is to go for general gifts that most people would enjoy and appreciate, such as jewellery and accessories, baked goods or flowers.
But when it comes to family members and friends, choosing the perfect present should be easy, except it’s not. Ironically enough, sometimes the people you know best and love most are also the hardest to shop for, probably because one seeks to impress and get things just right. So, much too often, the gift-searching process turns into a source of stress and anxiety that sends people down a path of spiralling thoughts, reconsidering their decisions over and over again and questioning whether the gifts they’re contemplating are not suitable, not interesting enough, too big or small, too cheap or expensive, and so on.
When the pressure is on
Some say every single item one can think of has the potential to be a great gift when given to the right person, so the trick here is to figure out how to match presents to people, whether you’re looking for a gift for cousin, your spouse, your parents, your BFF or anyone who is dear to you. Of course, intention is what matters the most, and as long as your heart is in the right place and you demonstrate care and thoughtfulness, your gifts will surely be appreciated, no matter what form they come in.
But sometimes, you really want your gift to truly reflect the intention and leave a lasting impression. If your gift-hunting experiences have leaned on the negative so far, you should know that it’s possible to turn things around and choose outstanding presents for your loved ones without going through a nerve-racking rollercoaster. So, we’re going to share some recommendations and ideas that might be able to cure your gift-giving anxiety and maybe even turn you into the best gift matchmaker in your private circle.
The core qualities of great gifts
So, your goal is to find an awesome gift for someone you care about, but what exactly does this mean? It’s hard to find something when you don’t really know what it looks like. So, the first thing you should do before you set off on your gift-searching quest is to understand what great gifts are made of.
According to expert gift-givers, it all comes down to a few essential characteristics. Presents that are useful, spark people’s interest, or open them up to something new and exciting are always a hit. When you gift someone an object or an experience that is new and appealing, they’ll cherish it forever. For example, planning a short (and easy) hiking trip can be a great gift for someone who loves nature but has never gone hiking before.
Other gifts stand out because they offer superior experiences, like an upgrade of sorts. If the giftee has a particular interest or hobby that require certain tools or equipment but wouldn’t splurge on them, you could give them a higher quality version of these items.
Another feature that can make a gift special is the ability to convey certain thoughts and emotions. We’re talking about presents that show people you pay attention to their needs and wants and that you care about them. If you’re able to find a gift that meets at least one of these three criteria, you most likely have a winner, so add it to your cart, wrap it up nicely and watch it work its magic.
Making the search a bit smoother
Now that you know what great gifts are all about, you can start the hunt, but make sure you bear in mind a few key aspects if you want to make the process run smoother. First of all, you should have your antennae out all throughout the year and always be on the lookout for potential gifts, not just right before a special event like a birthday or a holiday. Keep a list of items your friends and family would love and update it periodically.
Doing this allows you to buy gifts in advance and at a leisurely pace, whenever the opportunity arises, removing the crippling pressure of scouring offline and online shops for last-minute presents. This will also help you avoid stock shortages and the mayhem that ensues around big holidays and give you the chance to bag the best deals. So, if, for example, you know that your giftee loves Jean Paul Gaultier fragrances, don’t wait until the last minute to buy them one. Subscribe to sites that sell these types of items and purchase them when they have discounts.
When you choose a gift, you should think of the message you want to send and try to make it personal. You know what the people in your life like, so if you can’t think of anything clever, you can always gift them something they love in generous amounts. For instance, you can get them a whole case (or several) of their favourite chocolate or whatever other products they enjoy. Even if it’s something simple, it will feel personal and get your message across loud and clear.
It’s also important to remember that not all gifts have to be absolutely spectacular and leave one speechless. Gifts are meant to bring joy, not change life courses, so try not to overthink things and put unnecessary pressure on your shoulders. If you raise the bar too high, you just turn it into mission impossible.
That being said, we hope these tips and ideas have served as a source of inspiration and encouragement so you can feel more confident and less anxious next time you go gift hunting.
Happy gift-giving!