I love the holidays with one exception. Can you guess it? Most of us have the same problem. We simply have trouble coming up with good, unique gift ideas for the people we are buying things for.
My first bit of advice has nothing to do with gifts, but does cover issues of your sanity. Unless you like throwing elbows and getting trampled, you should avoid the mall. Do as much shopping online as possible and you will be thankful you did.
Where do you start when it comes to gift idea strategies? For most people, the starting point is a groan and reading various media pieces on what is big this year. Once you get the first idea, you are okay. That first step, however, is tough.
Over the years, one approach has worked for me. Instead of thinking generally, think specifically. Focus on the person you are buying for. What do they do when they have free time?
Consider buying a gift for you mom. There are pleny of mother-oriented gifts out there, but what does she like to do in her free time? Does she shop for antiques? Might books on antiques or antiques themselves make a good gift?
If you want to hit a home run, you should use the hobby idea for all the gifts you buy for that person. Remember, this is something they have already expressed an interest in, so buying within the scope of their interest should be a hit.
There is a real secondary advantage to this approach. If you give a gift to someone that they love, particularly if it is related to something they don't talk about a lot, they are going to appreciate the fact that you actually are noticing what they are doing.
In the mad rush to get all your shopping done, it can be easy to substitute your views and tastes for those of the people you are buying. Don't! This is about them, not you. Show your appreciation for them by taking the time to get it right.
A word about gift certificates. In general, you shouldn't give them unless someone expressly asks for them. Why? It says you don't really care to spend enough time to think up something for them, which is probably not the impression you want to make.
My first bit of advice has nothing to do with gifts, but does cover issues of your sanity. Unless you like throwing elbows and getting trampled, you should avoid the mall. Do as much shopping online as possible and you will be thankful you did.
Where do you start when it comes to gift idea strategies? For most people, the starting point is a groan and reading various media pieces on what is big this year. Once you get the first idea, you are okay. That first step, however, is tough.
Over the years, one approach has worked for me. Instead of thinking generally, think specifically. Focus on the person you are buying for. What do they do when they have free time?
Consider buying a gift for you mom. There are pleny of mother-oriented gifts out there, but what does she like to do in her free time? Does she shop for antiques? Might books on antiques or antiques themselves make a good gift?
If you want to hit a home run, you should use the hobby idea for all the gifts you buy for that person. Remember, this is something they have already expressed an interest in, so buying within the scope of their interest should be a hit.
There is a real secondary advantage to this approach. If you give a gift to someone that they love, particularly if it is related to something they don't talk about a lot, they are going to appreciate the fact that you actually are noticing what they are doing.
In the mad rush to get all your shopping done, it can be easy to substitute your views and tastes for those of the people you are buying. Don't! This is about them, not you. Show your appreciation for them by taking the time to get it right.
A word about gift certificates. In general, you shouldn't give them unless someone expressly asks for them. Why? It says you don't really care to spend enough time to think up something for them, which is probably not the impression you want to make.
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