If you want to truly impress your loved one and show them how much they mean to you, it’s important to find the right gifts for those all-important special occasions. But even if you know your loved one inside and out, the “perfect” gift may not be obvious.
How do you choose the right gift for your loved one?
Start With What You Know
Before you whip yourself into a panic, take a moment to outline what you currently know. Chances are, you have a lot of facts and little details that can help you find the perfect gift for your loved one.
These are some great places to start:
· Budget. Even if you don’t know anything else, you probably have a sense of how much you’re willing to spend on this gift. This is a significant limiting factor, and one that can help you constrain your search. For example, if you know you want to spend $100, you’ll instantly filter out a variety of options that you otherwise might need to evaluate.
· Recent mentions. Think back to recent conversations you’ve had with this loved one. Have they talked about something that they need for their daily life? Have they talked about how much they love a certain item or a certain type of item? Have they complimented something they saw on TV or on the street? Take note of these expressions. If you can’t think of anything offhand, start paying more attention to what they say in the coming days and weeks.
· Interests, hobbies, and preferences. Also, consider their favorite interests, hobbies, and general preferences. Is there something you could get them to fuel a hobby they’re passionate about? Do they have a unique sense of style that you could cater to?
· Previous gifts and reactions. Finally, think about previous gifts you’ve given this person and how they reacted to those gifts. Do they have a lukewarm reaction to clothes, but an excited reaction to concert tickets? What other gifts have they gotten in the past that they genuinely loved? And what do those gifts have in common?
Begin Shopping
At this point, you’re ready to begin shopping.
· Shop handmade. Consider starting by shopping with artisans and craftspeople who make handmade goods. These types of goods are inherently unique and typically creative in nature, ultimately allowing you to make a bigger impact for whatever you’re willing to spend. For example, a handmade leather purse is likely to make a bigger impact on someone than a random mass manufactured purse from mainstream store shelves.
· Visit physical and online stores. If you can, try to shop with both physical and online stores. This is going to greatly broaden the types of goods that you can review and give you more information to work with.
· Keep an open mind. At this phase, try to keep an open mind. There may be some items that jump out at you, but it’s often worth considering things that might seem less typical or usual as gifts.
· Make lists. Start making lists of everything that you find, and document how you feel about each possibility. Do you have any top contenders that stand out?
· Rule some things out. If you’re still feeling stuck, consider working backward by ruling some things out. What gifts wouldn’t work for your loved one, and what do they have in common?
Consider Experiences
Many people are considering gifting experiences more frequently, rather than things. That’s because experiences are often more memorable, more unique, and more enjoyable overall. For example, you could plan to share a special experience with your loved one, such as an adventurous activity like bungee jumping or something simpler, like dinner and a show.
Drop Some Hints to Check Yourself
If you’re not feeling confident about your planned gift, consider dropping some hints to check yourself. Bring up the gift idea subtly in conversation to see how they react to it. Does it seem to interest them? Do they seem cold to it?
Ask Around (Covertly)
You can also ask around, provided you do so covertly. Do your loved one’s best friends and close relatives have ideas for gifts that you could get this person? Do they have an opinion about the gift you plan to get them?
Add a Personal Touch
Personalized gifts are almost always superior to their non-personalized counterparts. Consider adding an engraving, a personalized message, or just a card with a heartfelt message as a finishing touch.
It’s practically impossible to find a truly “perfect” gift, and even finding a “good” one can, at times, be hard. But with the right approach, you can make your life easier and ultimately give your loved one something they’ll truly cherish.
