They say the best gifts come from the heart. To clarify, the best gifts come from those who understand our hearts. Here are 5 questions to help you choose the best gift for those close to your heart.
I love gift-giving! I do it all year round.
So when holiday seasons like Christmas roll around, I am in my element as someone who loves to express my gratitude to others.
To me, gift-giving is an expression of care and attention to the special people in my life. I don't need a special reason, except that I am thinking of someone or because I found something that I knew would be appreciated by someone special in my life.
Gifting from the heart doesn't have to be expensive. Gifts come in all shapes, sizes and budgets and sometimes in the form of time or an experience or activity.
Finding the right gift is like matchmaking. When you have a good profile page for those you care about, you have the relevant information needed to give a love-match gift that will suit the giftee's tastes, needs and desires.
So if you are still in the midst of your holiday season shopping, this week's blog will be especially helpful to you. Here are 5 questions to help you (the giver) create your gift profile information for the special people on your gift list (the giftees) so that you can show your gratitude during the holiday season and anytime throughout the year.
1. What Does That Giftee Want?
This may seem obvious and unimaginative, but the best gifts are usually the ones that people ask for outright because they know what they want.
We often think that getting someone what they actually said they want is not as genuine or thoughtful a gift. Unless you have mind-reading magic skills like Santa, it doesn't hurt to ask the giftee what they want.
The trick to being able to "surprise" a giftee with what they actually asked for is to keep a running list and be observant of their inadvertent "wishes" throughout the year.
Make mental or physical notes when the giftee mentions what they like during your causal conversations, during your lunch and dinner dates or casual hangout times. Keep the notes under the Contact, Notes section in your phone with a date so that you can keep track of how relevant the giftee's wish is or is not.
If there is a special occasion to prepare a gift for, I usually time the "what would you like?' question 2-4 weeks in advance of the special date. This also makes the person feel special when I remember the occasion in advance and shows that I have them in mind and heart.
Note:
I would suggest avoiding asking the day before a birthday, anniversary, special occasion or seasonal holiday. That may come off as last minute and not very thoughtful.
But if you have genuinely not been able to get around to finding a gift in advance, then just be honest to communicate that as you ask what the giftee wants.
2. What Interests and Hobbies Does the Giftee Have?
Gifts pertaining to a person's interests will be more likely to be used and appreciated.
Taking an interest to find out the giftee's interests and hobbies will help you to have more intuitive gift options.
Make note of their current hobbies and interests. Learn more about what they need in the pursuit of these interests so that your gift can help them to develop and further their interests and hobbies.
Getting to know your giftee's interests and hobbies will help you connect deeper with them. They will be happy to share their passions with you and happy that you care enough to take an interest in them.
Find out specifics if you can, such as where they are in the progress of their interests or hobbies. Are they a beginner, intermediate or expert? Find out details about where they are practicing their interests, like an art class or home studio. What supplies and tools do they already work with? What are the next-level supplies and tools they will need?
The more you learn, the more you will be able to choose the right gift according to where they are in the pursuit of their specific interest or hobby.
Note:
You may also need to do your own research to learn more about their area of interest in order to give the appropriate gift.
If the giftee is into watercolour painting, your gift of oil painting supplies may not be the most useful.
3. How Can You Make Life Easier for the Giftee?
The best gifts are ones that are needed and used.
Any gift that can help solve a problem or make life easier is a gift that will be appreciated and useful to the receiver.
To figure out what solutions your gift can provide to the giftee, you'll need to pay attention to their daily routines and conversations where they confide their complaints and grievances to you.
Being a good attentive listening friend makes finding out the giftee's needs easier. You may even be able to find solutions that they may not even know they needed.
After a good catch-up session with friends and family, take a moment to reflect on the details of your conversation and note the challenges or issues that the giftee has expressed. That's a good place to start for gift ideas to make their life easier.
Note:
Don't create a problem for your giftee with your gift. Consider how your gift will fit into the giftee's daily routine, surroundings and space where the gift will live.
Gifting a huge premium coffee maker to a giftee who wants good homemade coffee but lives in a tiny studio apartment may not be the best solution.
4. What Positivity Do I Want to Bring to the Giftee?
What support and encouragement does this person need at this time in their life?
We can all use some affirmation and inspiration in our day-to-day lives. Especially when we are striving for something or coping with something in our lives. Gifts that show your support to the giftee are especially appreciated.
Take note of what life situations the giftee is going through. Are there any milestone moments to celebrate? Are there any challenges they are overcoming? Have they gone through any emotional stress that may need some comforting for?
Little affirmation gifts that show your support and understanding will be valued and appreciated because they show you have them in your heart.
Note:
This type of gift is time sensitive as life situations are always in motion. Make sure that your support message is up to date and relevant to the giftee's current life needs.
A baby shower gift when the child is already 1 year old is not quite the right show of support...
5. What Personal Meaning Do I Want to Share With the Giftee?
Gift-giving is also sharing a part of yourself.
We have a unique and personalized connection with each of the special people in our lives. The nature of that connection is a direction for the gifts that would bring meaning and value to the giftee.
Think about what symbolizes your connection with the giftee. Think about what value you bring to the relationship with the giftee. Think about the talents and traits that the giftee admires and values in you.
These are the clues to what gift you can give to communicate the value and meaning of your connection with the giftee.
For example, I have a long-time friend who is a lifelong learner like me. Our friendship started as a mentor and mentee during my corporate career days. A special value that we share is the love of self-development and we have always rooted for one another's growth. So I love gifting her with self-help books and uplifting books that I know she will enjoy and that remind her of our unique connection.
Note:
The nature of our connections with people evolves as we evolve. Make sure that gifts of meaning and connection grow and evolve too.
My long-time, lifelong learner friend was a new manager establishing her career when our friendship began. Now she is well-established in her career and our connection is more focused on our life growth outside of our careers. The gifts for her now reflect the new value that we bring to each other's lives.
The Best Gifts in Life Don't Come in a Box
Gift-giving highlights the gratitude we feel for the special people in our lives. The best gift of all is the love and friendship that we share with those close to us.
There is no better gift than gratitude for who and what we have in life. It doesn't have to cost anything to express that gratitude generously and often.
Be generous with gifting your time, attention and appreciation to the special people in your life. Give the gift of gratitude from your heart to the hearts of friends and loved ones all year round.
Demonstrating gratitude doesn't need a special occasion, it creates them.
Happy Holiday Gifting!
Additional Suggested Articles:
How to Give Better Gifts, According to Science - Online Article - everydayhealth.com
Building a Gratitude Mindset - Online Article - ayclimitless.com
I would love to hear your comments!
What's the most meaningful Christmas gift you have received?
What's on your wish list for your next special occasion?
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