Gifts to Give
Gifts to Give
It’s one of those times of the year when a lot of people are giving gifts. For some, gift giving comes easily. My neighbor is one of those people. It’s as if she has an innate ability to give the perfect gift. For others, finding something that the recipient would like seems like an impossible task. Well, here are some things to consider when giving gifts that might help you lighten up your own expectations as well as give you a little more confidence in gift giving.
Who is Receiving the Gift?
The first step in gift giving seems obvious: who are you giving the gift to? So, sure, it’s going to your oldest daughter or your dad or your best friend of 25 years. But think about them specifically when deciding on the gift. Here are a few things to take into consideration.
Age. Be sure your gifts (especially to younger people and kids) are age appropriate. A 1,000 piece puzzle would not be a good present for a 3 year old. And a baby rattle probably won’t be the best gift for your teenager.
Stage of life. Is your recipient starting out on their own or starting a family? Do they have an established home? Do they travel a lot?
Current needs and likes. Does your recipient have more needs that need to be met than likes that can be shopped for? Would they like some cash to go toward a bill rather than a store-specific gift card that won’t help pay the bills or put food on the table? On the other hand, does your recipient have a house full of things and just doesn’t need one more thing? (I have an entire section below for these people.)
Relationship. Think about how close you are to this person. Some people like to give gifts to family, close friends, and acquaintances alike. Give away! Be thoughtful to give appropriate gifts that reflect the relationship you have. A pair of diamond earrings may be appropriate for your mom but not so much for your neighbor that you speak with only in passing.
Budget. Do not go into debt to buy a gift for someone. Even if that someone is your spouse. Be thoughtful about the kind of money you can spend, make a budget and stick to it. It the answer is “zero,” don’t worry, I have some free and inexpensive ideas to come.
Gifts for Someone Who Doesn’t Need More Things
There are some people who just don’t need (or want) more things. Either they have lived so long that they have everything they need or their lifestyle is minimal; they have so much money that they will just buy what they want or their house is just overflowing with things already. So what can you give them?
The answer these days is “experiences.” To be honest, though, that is just so vague. And we often think of experiences as being expensive. Here are some ideas that are specific and inexpensive.
Write a letter. Spend some time writing out ways this person is special to you and others. You can include memories that you share and words of encouragement as well.
Plan to spend time together. This can be anything from a detailed weekend away to a dessert at home. The key here is to spend time together.
Give a personalized coupon book. The possibilities are endless here. Almost any age can give this gift or, for that matter, receive this gift.
Believe it or not “experiences” isn’t the only answer to this question. Another great way to give a gift to someone who doesn’t need even one more thing is to give them something that is consumable.
Food. Sweet or savory. The idea is that these will be eaten (or go bad and get thrown away).
Craft, office, school, travel supplies. Be careful that you aren’t adding to an already overwhelming pile of these products.
Subscriptions. Two words of caution here: While these are technically consumables (especially if you do a jelly of the month club), not every views them this way. Also, some subscriptions can be too much for the recipient. For example, a magazine once a month is one thing but a craft box once a month can be overwhelming.
Whether you spend time together or give a gift, take some time to let your loved ones know that you appreciate them.