Tips, tricks & thoughts for when you’re gift shopping…
1/ Know when to stop shopping
If you’ve spent most of your budget and/or you’ve found a good solid gift idea – resist the temptation to give them ‘just a little something extra’. This is the first thing my Mum taught me about gifting (when I was growing up her gift cupboard was like Aladdin’s Cave – she is the original pro), she said that you should never add to an already good or generous gift. It cheapens it. That extra add-on gift says “This main gift wasn’t enough on its own”…”I got the main gift for a cheap price so I could afford something else”…Not good. I try to make Christmas stocking fillers my only exception to this rule.
2/ A little admin goes a long away
Download a gift list app – right now.
How many times have you forgotten what you’ve bought someone for their last birthday, Christmas…? If the answer’s not a million times then you’re Derren Brown and you’re using your ‘memory palace’ to keep a track on everything you’ve given people before.
My gift list app is my right arm at Christmas – it tells me what I’ve bought everyone for the last 5 years, how much I spent, how much I’m spending now, what’s wrapped – it’s organisational heaven and your Great Aunt Maureen won’t get socks for the 2nd year running.
3/ Handover the receipt, tactfully
If you’re gifting clothes, always give a receipt (gift or normal). Ask for one at the till since they’re rarely offered these days, put it in a sealed envelope and put it on top of the item before you wrap it. That way the recipient only opens the receipt if they need/want to exchange or return what you’ve given them and they don’t have to face the awkward task of asking you.
4/ Choose something for yourself
If you really have no idea what they might like, buy them something you would like to receive – it’s so easy to get caught up in guessing what a recipient wants.
Chances are that if they’re a friend or family member of yours their taste won’t be a million miles from yours and at the very least they will appreciate that you got something you think has value even if it’s not quite their cup of tea.
5/ Make it personal
If it’s a ‘big’ birthday (18/21/30/40… you get the jist) or an extra special occasion like a wedding, baby shower etc. then always shop well in advance and choose a personalised gift. The most simple gifts become sentimental and treasured when personalised with initials, photos, a map of a a memorable place – there are so many great personalisation options online or in specialist shops.
