There are people in my life who give me the most amazing gifts, always thoughtful, always unique, always on point. I learned some lessons from these friends and family about how to be a really good gift giver, so I’m sharing them with you today. These gift ideas apply to any occasion, from holidays to birthdays and little celebrations in between. Share meaningful gifts with your loved ones.
5 ways to be a really good gift giver
1. You can listen to it all year round. Or start now.
People tell me what they like. A thoughtful gift starts with: listening At that moment. Throughout my life, I’ve been with everyone, listening to what they have to say and tuning in to what excites them. I’m open to gift ideas all year long, so I don’t panic when the holidays (or birthdays) roll around.
Have they taken up a new hobby? Ask them how things are going and gather inspiration from that. Are they making a big transition toward retirement or moving cross-country? Listen to find out how you can support, celebrate, and honor the milestone. please. The best gifts are the ones that show someone you notice the little things they love and pursue.
2. Gather all your gift ideas in one place.
Don’t expect to remember ideas you discover while listening. Think about how to collect and organize information. I mainly use the Notes app on my iPhone. Joe and I have a shared note listing the birthdays of people close to us. Under each name, write down the trigger for the gift or something you know they’ll appreciate. I also save some ideas verbally in my voice notes app. This is an easy way to get ideas out of your head in the moment and revisit them later.
3. Request a list.
If you get stuck, don’t be afraid to make a quick list of what the other person wants and ask. Some people shy away from this kind of candor or think it takes away from the gift’s appeal. I think it’s perfectly reasonable to give someone a gift that they can use and enjoy. Asking for a list makes the gift-giving experience just as much fun as coming up with gift ideas yourself. This leads to the next point…
4. Gifts don’t have to be surprises.
You don’t have to think about the “perfect” gift idea. There’s no need to surprise them with the unexpected either. Choosing a gift from their wish list is a great way to make them happy and Get them what they really want. For Joe’s birthday, I gave him a specific pair of shoes that he wanted, and his reaction was like a complete surprise. He was so excited!! It reminded me that real surprises are sometimes overrated.
5. Don’t overcompensate.
Be wary of the temptation to overcompensate, especially if you don’t know what the giver wants. When it comes to giving gifts, it often ends up costing too much and making everyone uncomfortable. I remember an episode of office Here, Michael gave away a video iPod in a group exchange when the spending limit was $20.
Sentimental gifts often mean just as much (or more) than expensive items. For Joe’s birthday this year, I recorded a video about why I love him. The children were also recorded. This was a unique way to capture this moment and it didn’t cost anything. If overcompensation is your pattern, I hope the ideas in this post will help you avoid it.
For more gift inspiration, I’ll be sharing my holiday gift guide on Wit & Delight this month. In the meantime, check out last year’s gift guide for gift ideas.
Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis so forever testing the limits of her creativity. Follow her on Instagram @witanddelight_.
Source: – witanddelight.com
