When it comes to giving gifts, no one wants to be left out. This is especially true when you have a large family with many people who are close friends and relatives. It’s hard to keep track of everyone on your list, so you want the best gift ideas. To help you narrow down the selection, here’s a formula that will make shopping easier.
Give something they can use
If you give something that’s useful or fun but not unique, it doesn’t stand out, which means it becomes less special over time. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a great gift because it was thoughtful, but there are things that make a bigger impression—like unique, custom-made items. These include books, art, jewelry, and anything else that has meaning behind it.
But don’t forget about practicality! If you’re looking at a book or an item like jewelry, think about what someone would actually wear with it. A good rule of thumb is that if they wouldn’t put it in their closet, then they probably won’t wear it either. So, if you’re wondering whether or not to buy them something, consider whether or not they’d actually wear it.
Get personal
This is a big tip from my friend and personal life coach, Jessica. She says that if you know someone well enough, you should ask them directly what they want for Christmas. That way, you’ll avoid getting stuck buying a bunch of stuff they don’t like just because you didn’t know what they wanted.
For example, say your friend lives in New York City and loves Broadway shows. Then, go ahead and ask them about their favorite shows, which ones they see most often, and even what their dream show would be. With this information, you might find that they already have everything they need for their next trip to NYC.
This is also a great strategy for finding the perfect gift for the man in your life. You can ask him what he likes to do for fun, and then look up activities that match those interests. The same goes for women, too—ask her what she likes to do for fun, and then see what types of products she buys for herself. For example, maybe she likes to read, so instead of going out to dinner every night, she prefers to stay home and read by the fireplace. Now, you can pick up a new book on her behalf as a stocking stuffer or as a birthday gift.
Don’t worry about wrapping
No matter how much money you spend on a gift, wrapping it is optional. In fact, many people hate wrapping paper. I personally prefer to let the recipient take care of the whole thing. But, if you really want to wrap the gift, go right ahead! Just be sure you use quality paper and ribbon.
Be prepared
The last thing you want to do when you shop for a present is run into a problem. So, before you go shopping, write down your list of potential presents along with the budget you have set aside for each one. Then, when you go to the store, you’ll be able to quickly scan through the items until you find a price point that works for you. If you need to go back later to finish buying the right gift, you’ll be able to do that too.
Keep it simple
One of the easiest ways to save money on any gift is to choose something that’s already made and avoid spending extra money on decorations and other extras. Think about your loved one’s personality. Then, do a bit of research to see what the person enjoys doing. Maybe they enjoy cooking, so they would appreciate a cookbook. Or, maybe they like taking pictures, so they’d appreciate a photo album. Whatever it is, try to keep the cost low.
