Have you ever received a gift from someone that you didn’t particularly like or got some that you never got to use? Don’t worry; we’ve all been there. Now, since Christmas is right around the corner, we can all expect the holiday parties and gift exchanges to happen one right after the other. Whether you’re going to exchange gifts with colleagues, family members, your barkada, or whomever else, you’re going to have to be prepared to have something to give.
It could be generic, like room sprays, candles, or soap bars, or something more personal, like framed photos, clothing, or even their favorite snacks! Whatever it may be, whenever you get the gift, you might end up thinking, “will they actually use my gift?” While it’s easier to give something you think they might like, such as furniture spray or diffusers, it’s still a better option to get that special person a gift you know they’ll enjoy and something you know could be useful to them.
There is no one-stop shop technique for finding a great gift, nor is there a formula to ensure that we get the best gift for the person. We can’t all be Martha Stuarts and Oprahs, after all. So, in this article, we’ll be highlighting a few tips every mama should know when it comes to gifting that are sure to be useful and used by the receiver. So, sit back, relax, and read on to find out more!
Pay Attention & Ask Questions
Oftentimes, the reason gifts don’t get used is that the gift doesn’t really fit the person. So, this holiday season, take the time to get to know the person you’re giving a gift to, even if it’s just by observing their likes and dislikes from afar. You can also do so by asking questions! If you’re not one for observing, then do not be afraid to get to know someone a little better by asking them more questions about what they like, their hobbies and interests, or, more importantly, what they don’t like or the things they stay away from.
Gift-giving is as much a skill as it is an art, so pay attention. After all, you wouldn’t want to gift someone a bouquet of flowers if they’re someone who’s allergic to pollen or give a basket of sugary treats to someone who’s trying to watch their sugar intake. These little details count and they might actually help your gift go from being stored on the shelf to being used or becoming that person’s favorite item!
Don’t Buy Ahead or Last Minute
Time is something mamas everywhere don’t have much of. How could you when you have a family to take care of and jobs or other tasks to attend to? Since time is a privilege not mommy’s have, what tends to happen is that one buys a gift for someone either way ahead of time or at the very last moment.
By buying early, you run the risk of getting a gift the recipient won’t like since you didn’t take the time to get to know them well enough first to see if they’d like it. But by buying last minute, you run the risk of not getting a good gift since the choices may be limited by then. So, what’s a mom to do? It’s simple: take the time to get to know someone first, then think about what they would like, and consider getting it for them if you plan to gift anything to them. However, it’s best to do this before any holiday party or gathering so you can have enough time to ensure that you get something they’d truly appreciate.
Avoid Gift Certificates
This is one gift item that remains in the gray area when it comes to gift giving. You may be thinking that it’s a good gift, especially since it’s easy and the recipient can most likely find something they’d like in the store where you got the gift certificate (GC) from.
However, you do have to keep in mind that there is also a possibility that they, the recipient, may not like the stores you get the GCs from. For example, not all moms are a fan of certain milk brands while others are crazy about them. Some mommies prefer a particular skincare brand over the other, and some moms prefer to use only vegan or cruelty-free products that the store you got a GC from might not even have.
You also have to consider that by getting a gift certificate, you show the recipient a lack of thought or personal touch. So, it’s best to avoid this type of gift and try to give them something more personal or bespoke instead. They’re more likely to use those items than GCs from stores they may not even visit or go to.
Gift Yourself
When in doubt, “gift” yourself! Now, this doesn’t mean you have to wrap a bow around you or pop out of a gift box. It simply means that you can gift that person with your time, your friendship, and your presence. We all have something going on in our lives that not many people know about, so it would be a good and kind thing to gift the people in your life a lending hand, an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on if they need that from you.
Sometimes the best gift we can give to others is the gift of silence and the gift of understanding. This does not need any grand gestures or big gifts other than our presence. So, when in doubt, make yourself available for them and help them through whatever they may be going through by giving them your time.
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