How to choose the perfect holiday gift…
Gift giving is made a lot simpler by knowing the real interests of the intended recipient. Now, its difficult sometimes, what with all of life’s distractions that we all have to deal with at any given moment. But a great habit to employ when in conversation with people whom you may be considering at holiday time, birthdays and the like, is to pay close attention to what they tell you about themselves; the details. Read on to find the answer to “How do I find the perfect gift…
While this may sound silly, take a moment here…
Lock out those distractions and listen for either interests or concerns or work they may be doing that they seem excited about. It’s OK to even take down some details afterward to make it easier on yourself (you know, for most people, just the fact that you are listening with perceptibly genuine interest is the highest compliment you could ever pay them. It feels great to have someone support your significance sometimes… but to back it up with the relevant, thoughtful gift… wow!).
Details like hobbies they have, sports they play or the yoga classes they take, perhaps the 5K they plan on running soon and the instruments they play. Did they mention that they need an ice bucket to round out their new bar in their basement or that they are planning on taking the kids skiing soon… You see, the trick is not to wait until a week before the gathering or holiday to try and evaluate the interests to be served. You’re there with this person today. Why not do it now?
The Details…
Now that you have their interests in mind you can begin to pick the sort or type of gift you find appropriate. Its a good idea at this point to now recall the details you have discerned about the intended recipient in order to hone in on the exact item and its details you might want included. For example, what does your intended recipient tend to wear; styles, colors. Do they talk about certain TV shows or characters within. You might find yourself being able to take a famous quote from the same and put it on a coffee mug or a tee shirt in their favorite color or find a beer stein from a place in Germany where they had a happy visit and have the year of their visit engraved.
What to get the person who seems to have everything…
Now, when it comes to the person who seems to have everything, what may be left to you by way of your acquired information is an opportunity to provide a unique experience; perhaps a canoe trip with a guide down a local river or near a place they will be traveling to soon, a sporting event or golf outing. Not long ago I had seen a skydiving simulator facility being offered just a few miles away from home. There area always new and unique opportunities popping up almost everywhere.
The Donation…
There is also the opportunity to for a gift of donation in your recipients name. No not something like the “Human Fund” as per Seinfeld’s George Costanza. But, if your intended recipient has ever mentioned their feelings about a charitable organization like St Jude’s Hospital or even more pointedly, a charity to which they have actively given their own time. I find that the most appreciated are those where some recognition is made specifically those like a brick in a walkway with the family name printed upon. Disney World once had a program where when a donation would be made, a brick with their name or their family’s name would be placed on the “Walk Around the World” and “Leave a Legacy Program” of years ago. There are many libraries, hospitals and municipal parks and ball fields that are using this type of donation process that will allow for your recipient’s name to be held for all to see.
Do Something Different This Time…
Step outside the comfort zone. It’s heart-lifting to reinvent facets of yourself like this: If someone finds that they usually expects the same old sort of gift from you (calendar, a tie or a DVD set from educational TV), do something completely different. How about an adventurous day in wine country? You could package a gift certificate for the same in a nice picnic basket or travel cooler backpack. If they are the generally hesitant type, offer to go with them and create a lifelong memory. The time spent will be well worth it in the end.
The Most Important Thing…
Most importantly, be sure to try to see things from the other person’s set of values or perspective. By this I mean that what they like and feel is for and from there own reasons. So, what may be terrific for you, they may find to be uninteresting. For example: you may like racket ball intensely, now that your kids are out on their own. But others whose every day is made hectic by the family life you once had may benefit more from a spa day. The idea, of course, is to be sensitive to their needs and abilities in the present and not to project something that you may be interested in upon your recipient.
The Greatest Feeling…
Everything covered here is meant to help you make the proper gift choices. You know, the ones that bring that unequivocal joy to your loved ones faces in that moment that you both will never forget. But also by doing as prescribed you will find yourself becoming closer to the recipient and feeling the love that goes into what you’re doing as you’re doing it.
The Real Gift…
I wish for you and your loved ones, always, those very special moments when that gift that matters most, the one that’s from the heart, that huge surprise comes to be opened by someone who now feels so special thanks to you. It’s positively transforming… maybe even life changing. Yes, that’s the real gift.