- Don’t end up buying things for yourself
The biggest and most common gift buying mistake is buying what you want for yourself. We all do it. Always remember that a gift is something given to someone to make them feel joy, enjoyment, delight and happiness. It takes thought and effort.
Take some time to think about the gift. Consider who you are giving it to and what they are interested in. Consider what they desire and what would make them happy. Think carefully about what they want but won’t buy for themselves.
- Ask
Ask a family member or a friend if they have mentioned something they really want.
You can also ask just who to buy the gift for. If they say something specific and it’s within your budget, go ahead and buy it. If it’s too expensive, buy them something completely different. (I.e. – if she wants an expensive perfume that’s out of budget, then buying a cheaper perfume won’t work. Buy her a nice pair of earrings or something else.)
If they say ‘nothing’, they don’t mean ‘nothing’. If they say “anything”, they don’t mean “anything”. 3.
- store
Shop doesn’t mean buy, shop is shop. It’s an activity that requires you to visit multiple stores and browse their available products. Only after shopping will you be able to buy that perfect gift. If you are one of those people who really like to shop, this is not a problem
If you don’t like to shop, then go ahead and search online gift stores. They make browsing easy and convenient. 4.
- Don’t buy at first sight.
Take pride in your gift. Don’t buy something just because it’s in the bargain bin or because it’s the most expensive thing in the store. Put your heart, mind and soul into your gift selection.
Look carefully at everything that catches your eye. Check prices and read reviews. Narrow down your list until you find the gift. Then buy it!
- If you buy online, have the gift mailed to you
Actually giving a gift is a big deal. If that’s not possible, remail the gift with a short letter. Be sure to wrap it carefully yourself.
And, if the item is not what you expected, you can return it.
- Gift cards and gift baskets
In most cases, you can’t go wrong with a gift card. (But not for your significant other)
Gift baskets are a wonderful gift for the person who has everything.
Amazon has great gift cards and gift baskets. 7.
- always include a gift card
The little things matter, especially for women. Remember, “You can give her a card without a gift, but never give her a gift without a card.” This is the card that really personalizes it.
Best Practice – Don’t buy the card, make the card.
There are websites that allow you to make gift cards. Find one and use it. Be sure to write something personal on the card.
- Always have a bottle of wine on hand
Have some attractive standard or generic gifts such as wine or bath products such as soap and lotion. These will come in handy in an emergency and are always a better gift than the ones you can buy at a fast food restaurant. And, if you don’t give a gift, you have a bottle of wine.
Avoid giving “practical” items that others will use
A toaster may be a gift for Mother’s Day, but a Columbia Women’s Sun Ridge Straw Hat is a “real” gift that is more likely to be appreciated and cherished. Personal gifts are the best gifts.
- Buy the gift in advance
Buying a gift is hard enough – why make it even harder by running out of time?
Good – mark all occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, holidays) on your calendar. Put a big X on the date three weeks before the occasion.
Better – Add alerts to your computer or smartphone.
When the alert goes off – start shopping.
The most important rule – gifts for significant others
There’s only one rule for buying gifts for your significant other: always give a gift.
Birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, special holiday gifts.
Always.
Note: Rule #7 is the most important rule, especially if the gift is for someone who is very special to you.
