How to Give The BEST Gifts
Ever since I was a little girl, I have been enamored with the idea of gift-giving. Seeing the look on someone’s face as they open up a wrapped package of something special simply puts a smile on my face and warms my heart!
So naturally, this time of year is one of my absolute favorites. Year after year, I’m reminded that getting to give meaningful gifts to those we love is a gift in itself! Because at the end of the day, gift-giving isn’t about the giver. It’s about making someone feel seen, valued, and loved.
While this is something I really do love doing, I hear from friends, clients, and even strangers ALL the time that they struggle with finding the “perfect” gift for the people in their lives. The advice I typically give them starts out with the fact that gifts don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. We’ve all heard the saying “It’s the thought that counts!”...and it’s true!
At the same time, however, I fully understand the desire to give gifts that will really hit home with the recipient. If we’re going to spend time and money on gifts, why not make sure they’re REALLY special, and specifically curated with the receiver in mind!?
Because let’s be honest – we’ve all been on the other end of this, receiving a gift that, while certainly appreciated, makes us feel totally misunderstood. You know, the type of gift where we have to pay attention to our facial expressions while opening.
So today I want to share some helpful tips about how to give the BEST gifts this holiday season - and any time of year!
My first tip when it comes to how to give the perfect gift is to be inquisitive. Most of the time, we can understand what someone has on their mind by simply asking thoughtful questions. This can be done all throughout the year! I often give this tip to people who struggle to give gifts to their spouses. Asking questions about what they like/don’t like while you’re shopping at a store, showing them things online, and asking “Do you like this?”, and asking other questions is a GREAT way to inadvertently understand what would make a perfect gift.
One of my friends keeps a going list on her “notes” app where she jots down gift ideas all throughout the year as they come up! Sounds simple, but when you’re asking year-round questions to those you care about, it will make the holiday season and gift-giving a breeze.
Another great way to select amazing gifts is to pay attention to what is happening in the recipient’s life, and what they’ve been enjoying lately. Now, this may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often we get so stressed out by the idea of gift-giving that we totally blank on this simple concept!
Does your friend have a new home they’re decorating that you could gift an accessory for? Has your partner recently picked up a new hobby like hand-stitching or pickleball? Has your coworker discovered a newfound love for cooking? Paying attention to what’s happening in others’ lives is a simple yet profound way to REALLY make them feel special.
To take this a step further, another basic tip for giving great gifts is to consider what the recipient values. While similar in nature, this tip is different than the one above as it digs a little deeper into understanding what’s most important in the recipient’s life. Are they a working mom who could use a spa day? Are they an artist who would love some new supplies? Do they love to travel and always looking for the perfect travel bag or experience? Consider what you hear the person talking about all the time, and/or what they spend time/money doing throughout the year and gift accordingly.
This next tip won’t work for everyone on your list, but for friends and family who share some similar taste or interests as you, take inventory of things and/or experiences that YOU personally have enjoyed over the year! I once heard from a friend that any time she needs a gift for her sister-in-law, she just goes to her “orders” on Amazon and chooses things she has really enjoyed - genius! Did you finally find the “perfect” journal that you know your friend would love, too? Did you learn about the BEST workout shorts that actually fit!? What book really impacted your life this year? Not only do you know firsthand that these gifts will be good, they can also create a unique connection and topic of conversation with the person you’re giving it to since you’ll both have the experience of enjoying it!
Speaking of books, my last tip is one of my favorites: give gifts that keep on giving! This probably isn’t the first time you’ve heard of this concept, but I want to give you some real examples of what this could be. I recently learned about someone whose “go-to” baby gift is their own version of a book-a-month club! In other words, throughout the baby’s first year of life, they send a new book each month. How cute is that! The same concept could be applied to anyone in your life – simply make a list of 12 books and send a new one each month. Other ideas for gifts that keep on giving could be a specific type of membership or subscription that the recipient would enjoy – there are so many different types out there these days!
In closing, it’s crucial for us ALL to remember that gift-giving is a blessing in itself and the most important thing REALLY IS the thought. If you find yourself stressing or feeling frantic about finding the perfect gifts this holiday season (or any time), remind yourself of the following:
✨Great gifts don’t have to break the bank.
✨Sometimes SIMPLE is best!
✨The person you’re giving to will appreciate that you thought of them, no matter what.
✨Quality time together might be the greatest gift of all.
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Keep an eye out here on the blog AND on Instagram for upcoming gift guides and ideas!
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received!?