Haven’t you envied those folks who seem to come up with the perfect gift every time, no matter what the occasion? Whether it’s a humble potted plant, tickets to the latest movie in town, an antique picture frame, or an extravagant holiday package, these presents seem to be memorable, thoughtful and just right.
On the other hand, if you’re the kind of person who agonizes, debates, dithers over the choice of a gift, Christmas and birthdays are probably the worst times of year for you! And the worst part is, after you’ve given the gift you endlessly worry about whether you could have gotten something else.
Why Is Gifting Sometimes So Difficult?
Some gifts are deeply appreciated, others may make the recipient puzzled or confused, and some presents are resented or even hated. In most cultures around the world, there are traditions, unspoken rules, protocols and superstitions around gift giving and receiving. It is important to understand them and follow them if you’re presenting something to someone from another culture.
In general, psychologists opine that a gift is really an expression of your thoughts and feelings about the occasion and the receiver. They are also a reflection of yourself. That is why some gifts hit the spot instantly, while others tell the receiver that you really didn’t care.
One of the reasons why we stress about gifting is because we aren’t sure that we have expressed ourselves correctly with the gift. Often we put the occasion, our status, whether we have any obligations to the person or peer group first. These gifts are similar to corporate gifts, where you can get by with a “One-size-fits-all” approach.
It’s also difficult to choose between utilitarian gifts, and something fun, quirky and non-essential. Flowers, fruit, chocolate, cake or wine are “safe” choices, provided you know whether the person is allergic to certain items.
Gifting an experience is another great idea. In the end it all comes down to how well you know the person, and how confident, thoughtful, empathetic and perceptive you are as a giver.
Top 5 Gifts For Loved Ones
Whether it’s a milestone event, or just a casual gift that says “Thought about you!” getting a present for a loved one should be easy on the face of it. All you need to do is a little detective work to find out what they’ve been saying they wish they had!
Outdoors and Adventure Lovers: A pair of high quality binoculars, personalized camping gear, cute beanies, warm hoodies, hiking shoes or even a travel bidet would be thoughtful gifts that any outdoorsy person would cherish. Foldable camp-stools and beds, portable hammock, a handy propane stove, a year-round free National Park pass or a Swiss Army knife are other super ideas.
Self Care Hampers: Show them you care with a range of high quality, natural self care products. If you prefer to tread the beaten path, give them a spa session, yoga classes or a gift voucher from an organic products manufacturer. For a more personalized gift, a self-care hamper from Rest & Digest hits the spot every time. You can put together a variety of items such as a bullet journaling kit, Mandala coloring set, silk pillow-cases, a silk sleep mask and sheets set, aromatherapy candles, massage oils, healthy snacks and beverages, an analog alarm clock or Pomodoro timer.
Hobby Gifts: If your loved one has a favorite hobby, it makes things super easy. Artists love getting new supplies, gardening enthusiasts enjoy new plants and garden accessories, readers will cherish a signed copy of their favorite writer’s latest book. For keen home cooks, a master class in baking or confectionery from an expert, or nifty kitchen gadgets will certainly be appreciated. You can also sign up your loved one for a hobby class in a new art or craft. Ensure that it doesn’t cause inconvenience or more expense.
Fitness and Health Devotees: Here you may need to know a little more about what they are interested in, their health status and whether they have tried something before and not liked it. But you never know – a retired grandad may totally enjoy a gym membership, or a couch potato might get motivated enough to join an aerobics class. Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates or a dance class are other great options. Books on diet, organic cooking classes, or even a fruit-picking holiday in a farm will be gleefully accepted. For a milestone event or casual celebration, a bouquet can brighten someone’s day. Consider gifting birthday flowers from BloomsyBox to express your feelings and appreciation. These arrangements are delivered fresh and designed to make any recipient feel special on their big day, offering an extra touch of warmth and beauty to your thoughtful gesture.
Subscriptions: When you know that your loved one adores flowers, why not invest in a weekly flower delivery subscription for a year? You can choose the time of delivery, kind of flowers and the message for every bouquet. Coffee or tea club memberships, magazine subscriptions or a Book of the Month club membership would be most welcome. Film clubs or movie appreciation society memberships are a wonderful way for a friend or family member to enjoy classic movies from around the world. The best part of subscriptions is that every time your loved one receives a bouquet, magazine or book, they will immediately remember you!