3 Ways to Hone Your Gift Giving Skills

It's said that it's the thought that counts, but believe us when we say that if you neglect to get your mom/dad/sibling/friend a gift for their birthday or anniversary, there's going to be at least a little resentment. But how do you hone in on a gift when there are so many options or conversely too few options, given how fussy some folks can be? Worry not, you're going to learn how to pick the gift that's just right for them. 

1. Become a Detective

Find out what your receiver of your gift actually wants. Make a list of everything the object of your affection is interested in - not just before their milestone event but all throughout the year. Save these ideas somewhere, like on Pinterest, where you can later remember details of the product. Take cues from the past or future.

• Are they planning to live away from home? What kind of things do you think they'll need? 
• Did you visit their house and notice the lack of a wall clock in the kitchen? 
• Or say, lipsticks lying cluttered on their table instead of in a lipstick holder? 

2. Stereotype Them

What would a person living all by themselves need? Or someone who just graduated and is about to take on a job?

1. Money
2. Cutlery 
3. Glasses
4. Cookbook
5. Bag
6. Towels
7. Subscription to a service
8. Tie or shirt
9. Watch
10. Plant (also a good retirement gift)
11. you get the idea...

What about their personality? In case they're introverts or extroverts, here are a few quick ideas:

Introverts

1. Earphones/Headphones
2. Something from Bed, Bath & Beyond
3. Reading material, e-books or an e-book reader like Kindle
4. Tickets to a play or a Netflix subscription
5. Activity class which involves less/no interaction with other people E.g. Art appreciation, pottery or yoga classes since they need to recharge their batteries after a couple of hours of people interaction and such classes allow for that.

Extroverts

1. Speakers
2. Activity class where people interaction is a requirement E.g.wine-tasting 
3. Just Dance/Dance Central
4. Tickets to concerts or entry to movie theaters, bars, clubs and pubs
5. Loud accessory (either in color or in size, shine or texture of embellishments) - because not only are they not afraid of attention, they actually thrive on it.

3. Personalize the Gift

Even if your gift is as cliche as a mug or photo frame, you can add a special touch to it by customizing it with their name or face or both, among other things of course that can be personalized such as their sun sign (if they believe in that, of course).