The Art of Giving

Everyone likes to give gifts. It makes us feel good to know we’ve made someone’s day a little brighter, and it helps cement our relationships. But giving gifts isn’t a science, and it isn’t always easy. Here are some tips you can use to master the art of giving.

Know what the recipient will like. This is the trickiest part of gift giving. What if you get them a gift they hate or won’t use? No one wants that. While the recipient will (hopefully) be polite enough to pretend to like the gift, you’ll be able to tell from their initial reaction that they don’t really want it. If you’re buying for a close friend or relative, chances are you have an idea of their interests and likes. If you’re buying for a co-worker or someone you don’t know that well, you may be at a loss. In this case, gift cards may be acceptable. You can also ask people who know the recipient better for ideas.

Know all pertinent information about the recipient. If you’re buying clothing, for example, you need to know what size to get. Knowing the person’s favorite color may also help in deciding on a gift.

Know where to shop. Once you’ve got that perfect gift in mind, you’ve got to know where to find it. Sometimes this is as simple as walking in to a local department store and buying it. Other times, however, it can be difficult, especially if you’re looking for a popular item (remember how crazy people went over that Tickle Me Elmo doll years ago?). Thanks to the internet, however, you can often find the gift you want online. Yes, you do have to pay shipping, but often the gift actually costs less than it would in the store, so you end up saving money.

Know how much time you have to shop. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to start your gift search. If you know you’re not going to have a lot of time to do your shopping, start as early as you can. You don’t have to hit every store on the same day, either. Internet shopping can also save you a lot of time since you won’t have to drive to each store or search for what you’re looking for.

These tips will help you perfect your skill at the art of giving and may even help reduce your stress while shopping.