Giving presents to your loved ones has long been considered a pleasurable activity for centuries. According to surveys, the year 2019 was the year of unprecedented sales in the history of gift giving during the holiday season, reaching up to a whopping $1.007 trillion. Whether it is your mom, dad or grandparents, your significant other, or other relatives or friends and whether it is their birthday, their graduation or any other event or anniversary or the holiday season, giving presents is a must. The problem arises when you don’t know what kind of gifts to choose for which person and occasion.
The internet can provide you with hundreds of thousands of gift ideas for your loved ones. However, choosing a thoughtful gift gives them the impression that you put effort into your actions rather than just shrugging the responsibility off your shoulders. After all, giving gifts in established relationships should be an emotional and symbolic activity. A present send out the signal that the other person is thinking about you and is mindful of your needs and wishes.
We usually have gift ideas for every special person in our life sorted. But when it comes to our parents and grandparents, we find ourselves short of ideas. It is a universally agreed upon fact that whenever we ask our parents what they want as a present, their replies are mostly, ‘nothing.’ The task to find them the perfect gift then becomes quite troubling. You don’t want to give them something they will not use, but you also don’t know what the ideal thing is for them in terms of practicality as well as the sentiment. We have a curated list of tips to keep in mind while selecting a present that your parents or grandparents will absolutely love.
What to Consider:
If you want to leave a lasting impression on the most important people in your life through a thoughtful present, read on:
- Be Observant:
So you have decided to buy your mom or dad a gift. Their birthday is approaching, and you need to get your thinking cap on and decide what to get for them. At this point, you will ask them if they need anything, and the answer could be the obvious ‘no.’ So what to do in this case?
The first and foremost thing you need to do is to stop and reflect on all the interactions you have had with them. Think about what they talked about and note down anything that they said they need. Even if they didn’t say anything, take a look around the house and see if you can gift them something of use.
- Practicality is the Key:
A present does not really have to be extravagant to please the recipients. While we all want to give the absolute best to our parents, being practical is of some essence too. Sometimes, the little things leave a lasting effect. Besides, Waldfogel, an economist, finds that around twenty percent of the amount we spend buying presents goes to waste as recipients don’t value the gift they receive.
Practical gifts don’t necessarily have to be precious jewelry or a brand new expensive suit. They could be as simple as a comfortable cushion for your grandparents with back pain. Every time they use it, they will be reminded of you and how thoughtful you are as a person.
- Keep it Simple:
According to Leonardo Da Vinci, ‘simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.’ As we emphasized earlier, your present doesn’t have to be extravagant or unique to appease the recipient. A simple, thoughtful gift is enough to leave an impression on your loved ones. It will not only reduce the unnecessary burden on your wallet, but you will also feel much better, knowing that you have given them something that will prove to be useful to them.
- Presentation Matters:
Now that you have decided upon what you need to buy for your parents or grandparents, the next step is the presentation. There are many options that you can surf through to present your gift nicely. The gift may be simple, but the presentation of the said gift needs to show that you put your heart and soul into it.
A poorly packaged present sends a very strong message that the giver did not bother thinking about the present at all. In this case, the recipient too loses interest in the gift. Studies suggest that giving poorly wrapped gifts to friends heighten their interest in the gift itself, and they exhibit a positive reaction upon seeing the said gift.
However, with family and acquaintances, this is quite the opposite as they judge their worth by the presentation. So, while keeping it simple, you can write a heartfelt, handwritten note to them, which they are sure to keep with them forever.
Whoever said giving presents is an art was correct. You can master this art simply by being observant and practical. Different occasions ask for different gifts, and with keen observational skills, you too can become the person known for their gifts that are thoughtful and impressive.
Ofcourse, if you’re struggling with gift giving and selection, our app could probably be pretty helpful! Till next time folks!
