Finding the perfect gift
can be a frustrating experience. Gifts that seem like they were picked just for them are great – but unless you know them well, it can be difficult to find the right one.
Using a gesture culturally associated with honesty, we show that people who put their hand over their heart behave more honestly. This is a simple yet effective tool for promoting honest behavior.
1. Think About Their Personality
If you know someone well enough, a little bit about their personality can be helpful when it comes to selecting a gift. You may want to consider their likes and dislikes, how they spend their free time, what kind of humor they have, and what are their passions. This can help you narrow down your options and find something that will be a good fit for them.
For example, if they have an interest in gardening, you might want to get them a flower seed kit that allows them to create their own garden and watch it grow over the course of a year. If they have a penchant for writing, you could give them this monogrammable journal from Leatherology that they can use and refill as often as they need to.
Similarly, if they love to travel, you could give them this personalized passport cover that is sure to bring a smile every time they open it up. Or, if they love to read, you could give them this book stand so that they can easily pick up where they left off the last chapter.
In addition to a person’s interests, there are many other factors that can influence the perfect gift. For example, if they speak the love language of Receiving Gifts, gifts have more meaning to them than simply being useful or practical.
Also, if they speak the love language of Acts of Service, they appreciate giving their time and resources to serve others. Acts of Service can take countless forms and can be as simple as making a meal or volunteering to tutor a child. Lastly, if they speak the love language of Words of Affirmation, they need to hear how much they mean to you. You can do this by creating a heartfelt letter and sending it to them to remind them how special they are.
2. Know Their Lifestyle
While it is great to be creative and surprise your gift-recipient, according to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, the gifts that are most appreciated are the ones that are the most closely aligned with what they asked for. A little research into their habits can help you determine this, such as what type of clothing they wear or the products they use in their home. It can also give you ideas about what they would enjoy receiving, such as a cooking class or massage certificate.
You can learn even more about their lifestyle by paying attention to the things they talk about or comment on. If they are always talking about a new book, movie or restaurant, consider buying a ticket to that event as a special way to show your support of their passions. You can even get a little personal by putting together an album or photobook of all their favorite moments. Ask family and friends to contribute photos and words to celebrate their relationship, and then create it using a software such as Tribute for easy collaboration and editing.
Many of these types of gifts are affordable and do not require much time or effort to make. Alternatively, you can give back to them by volunteering your time for something they enjoy. Whether you clean up a local park or serve dinner to those in need, it will give them a sense of fulfillment that goes beyond the superficial. It will also remind them that you care about their well-being, which is a big part of giving from the heart.
3. Think About Their Hobbies
Gift giving is an excellent way to show your appreciation for someone, and can help strengthen a relationship. But it can also be difficult to find the right gifts, especially if you are unsure of the recipient’s likes or dislikes. Finding the right gift can be at best a waste of steps and at worst an exercise in futility.
The best gift ideas often stem from the person’s hobbies and interests. This doesn’t have to be a sophisticated hobby, but something as simple as watching their favorite stand-up comedy show or taking a photography class. It can also be a good idea to think about what they plan on doing over the next few months. For example, if they are planning on starting a new course or job then a gift like a specialist cookery book and apron, art supplies or gardening gloves could be the perfect present.
Alternatively, you can think about how to solve a problem they may be facing. For example, if they always seem to have their nails chipping or the chef’s knife is a little dull then buying them some sharp nail clippers or a top of the line kitchen knife might be the perfect gift. Or if they are constantly complaining about their neck being stiff or sore, you could buy them an Alexander Technique session with a therapist or some physical therapy sessions.
Another great way to find a great gift is by thinking about the Five Love Languages and finding a way that speaks to them. For example, if they speak the language of “Receiving Gifts,” then they are very likely to appreciate a thoughtfully chosen and carefully presented gift. You can even personalize the gift further by getting it engraved with their initials or the date of their birthday, for extra sentimentality.
4. Know Their Budget
A big problem with buying gifts is that you often don’t know what the person really wants. Trying to give them a gift you think they want can often be a disaster – even with the best intentions. That’s why it’s important to find out what they want. Ask a few simple questions before making a purchase, and you’ll likely be much more happy with the result of your gift giving.
Ideally, your gift should be useful, and the more useful it is, the better. If the recipient has a particular hobby, you can find something creative that they’ll actually use – like a trug with gardening gloves and secateurs for someone who loves to garden, or a specialist cookery class with an apron for an aspiring chef.
You can make a physical gift more interesting by giving it a special presentation. This can be as easy as writing a letter expressing your sentiments and attaching it to the present or by getting creative with the wrapping. Alternatively, you could also give the gift of an experience. This can be especially meaningful for a birthday or special occasion. For example, recreating a first date or taking them on an adventure they’ve always wanted to try can be a very memorable gift.
If you’re shopping on a tight budget, a thoughtful gift card can be just as perfect as a more expensive item. This way, the recipient can choose what they want themselves and you don’t have to worry about the gift being a failure. Alternatively, you can give them an experience that they’ll never forget – for example, a helium balloon with your initials written on it.
5. Think About Yourself
No matter how hard a person tries, they cannot produce anything perfect. Perfection is something only God can give, which is why James tells us that "every perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17).
A person with the gift of encouragement can help believers overcome discouragement and continue growing in Christ. This gift could manifest itself in a variety of ways: encouraging someone through prayer, visiting the elderly, repairing a home, or ministering to those in need.
A gift for yourself is not selfish; it's a way to reward yourself for all the good things you've done! Maybe you reached triple digits on your bench press and deserve a new set of weights. Or perhaps you scored Taylor Swift tickets and need to upgrade your headphone situation.
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