Tips For Buying The Perfect Gift?
Have you ever given a present to someone and received a "why-on-earth-did-you-get-me-that" look in return? If so, here's a little how-to guide for the rest of us. Those of us not blessed with an intuitive 'perfect gift sense' that helps them always choose the perfect gift regardless of the recipient or occasion If you're one of those who have sometimes spent considerable time, money and effort and still ended up buying the wrong gift, then read on to know how to find the perfect gift for anybody-from your spouse to your neighbour!
- Listen!Think about the likes and dislikes of the recipient in mind-that's the first rule, What are their passions? what do they spend their free time doing? what would be useful that they don't have today? have they mentioned anything e they would like? Remember that you are buying for the recipient and not for yourself, so also bear in mind what they don't need. A box of exquisite Belgium chocolates might work for a chocoholic but not a diabetic. Even current circumstances of the individual may change his or her preferences. A woman who loves champagne, for example, might not be able to enjoy a good bottle gifted by you if she is pregnant! Sometimes we refrain from buying a particular gift simply because it does not appeal to our tastes; however, if the recipient is fond of it, then it makes sense to put the recipient's choice ahead of our own.
- Plan Ahead!Of course, there will a few occasions that'll make you run shopping at the last minute, but close friends' and family's birthdays and anniversaries can all be marked on the calendar. Last minute purchases invariably cause a lot of stress; planning and buying a gift in advance gives you plenty of time to choose a good gift and keep it within budget.
- The Beauty is in the Detail!Despite the common saying, it is NOT just the thought that counts. A great gift must also be presented and executed well, in order for the recipient to wholly enjoy your gift. If you're planning to surprise your wife with a dinner party, then don't let her smell out the soufflé you've especially planned to bake for her. Do you plan to spend a relaxed evening with her or do you want to surprise her with your culinary skills? If it's the latter, then make sure you do your experimenting before the D-Day. After all, presenting her with a burnt soufflé may well be worse than no soufflé at all! Carefully plan the surprise and do your best to execute it well-that's the key to the perfect gift.
- Budget! Setting a budget is vital. Setting a lower budget does not mean that you can't get a great present, it just means that it will be less expensive and you may have to be more creative. Or it might mean that you just get the smaller size or version of that particular perfume etc
- Research! Once you have something in mind, get researching. There's lots of review sites on the internet and any type of gift. Or if you have a subject in mind but not the product, then start there. You'll find websites on every topic where you can find out what other users say and then shop around for the best price.
- Get Personal! Personalised gifts are usually well received because they show that you care. Either something that you have had personalised for the recipient, something reflects a shared interest or moment in the past e.g. a newspaper from a special date, or a particular experience or event that you know the other person will particularly appreciate such as a Spa or concert tickets. Knowing that you made the effort to select a personal gift, thought of the message and got it personalised means as much as the gift itself. Remember that personalised mugs make a unique gift but most people already have them! Unless you are ten years old and hand-painted it for your grandparents , it's likely to have limited appeal Except maybe for your mom-and even that is a maybe!
- When in doubt, Keep the receipt!