By Brooke Madden
Tips on becoming the best gift giver in the world _ at least in the opinion of those you give gifts to.
You’ve been there; we all have. It’s an awkward experience that makes one cringe to ponder; that oh-so-familiar feeling of, “I appreciate the thought, but what the heck am I going
to do with this gift?”
An estimated $15.2 billion per year is spent on unwanted, often wasted gifts in North America. To help provide a solution, Carly Caines and JD Sterne, former owners of First Wood Furnishings, conducted a research survey asking 55 people to rank gift characteristics from most to least meaningful when receiving a gift.
Consult this checklist before buying your next gift. The more times you can say “Yes,” the more likely your gift will be heartfelt and meaningful – not dramatized and discarded.
1) Is this gift something the recipient will find useful?
It’s important to consider the practicality of your gift, in addition to its thoughtfulness. “The guilt fills me as the gift eventually makes its way into my chaotic storage closet, or sometimes even the garbage.” Am I the only one that feels this way? Or do you feel this way too?
2) Will this gift avoid adding clutter to the recipient’s life?
That chaotic closet I mentioned? Do your best to avoid contributing to that. Whether the destination is the garage or just a junk drawer, nobody needs more clutter. Consider what they might do with it after it becomes theirs.
3) Is this gift personalized?
A thoughtful, personalized gift will always stand out. I’ll never forget the feeling I had when my partner gifted me a “time turner” necklace from the Harry Potter films. Even though the series wasn’t his thing, he took the time to think about my specific interests, and researched the personalized present. (P.S. Gentlemen, if your lady is into Harry Potter, this is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.)
4) Is this gift something that will last for years?
I think you’ll agree, quality over quantity wins out every time. Especially while we’re being mindful of sustainability, a gift that will last is a gift worth giving. You’ve likely felt uneasy when the sweater a relative bought you was no longer part of your wardrobe because it tore in the wash. Consider gifting an experience, such as theatre or concert tickets; memories last a lifetime.
5) Is this gift something the recipient would normally buy for themselves?
During the survey, respondents often commented that they loved receiving gifts they wouldn’t usually splurge on for themselves. A spa retreat, or a nice dinner can be huge hits. We don’t often pamper ourselves, so it’s always a treat when someone does it for us.
6) Is this gift unique? Are they likely to have received it before?
Aim for something unique for your recipient – something you feel confident that nobody else would have ever given them. Unique gifts make it easy to recall who bought the gift, and will certainly make them think of you when they use it.
7) Is this gift one-of-a-kind?
While not essential, a one-of-a-kind gift will leave your gifted one feeling extra special. Try out shops like Etsy, where products are often handmade, so each one is truly one-of-a-kind. Local markets, art shows, or crafting pop-ups are also excellent resources if you’re looking to support your community while giving something unique and memorable.
8) Is this gift high quality?
As mentioned earlier, quality over quantity is always better. To avoid contributing to the massive amount of gift waste, spend the extra few dollars on something that will last. Even if it’s a high-quality jacket for your friend that may eventually go out of style, perhaps one day your friend’s daughter will start to wear it when she goes through her “vintage” phase.
I know this all may seem a bit intimidating, but I believe in you. As long as you put a little bit of thought, a little bit of time, and a little bit of curiosity into it, you’ll be the best gift giver there is. And with any luck, your friends and family will follow your lead.
If this survey has taught me anything, it’s that there is a difference between thought and thoughtful.
