We've been told that it is"more blessed to give than to receive", but is it? Well, if you have the talent right it can be! The experience of watching someone open a gift you have selected and viewing the joy and delight spread across their face is one which most certainly awards the giver a sense of happiness and gratification. All too frequently, however, the expression on the surface of the receiver is at best one of gentle disinterest, and in worst one of disappointment. Picking the right gift can be a little like walking a tightrope, but why is it so hard? This report explores some reason why picking the ideal gift can be a true challenge, and provides some hints and pointers that will assist you get it right.
Narrow it down
Gifts fall broadly into two categories; functional and pamper. Practical gifts might include things such as a new toaster or a zebra print steering wheel cover, whilst pamper gifts may have a day at a health spa or a jar of wine. Knowing the personality type of the individual you're buying for is critical in deciding which type of gift will be appropriate. Some individuals could see pamper gifts as being frivolous and possibly even ineffective and as a consequence these gifts may see little usage; they might even be discarded completely. On the other hand, some may be disappointed with a sensible gift feeling that they want to appreciate their special occasion with no thought for practicality. Having a good idea of the class into which your present will collapse, so, is the first step in selecting the most appropriate present for your intended receiver.
What's the occasion?
In many regions of the Earth, gift-giving is firmly rooted in tradition. In middle eastern countries, for example, gifts must be offered and obtained using either the ideal hand or both handson. In Hong Kong and Japan, both hands should be used. In western culture, where the record of occasions calling for a present appears to be ever-expanding, the acceptable behaviours surrounding present giving are perhaps less formalised, however the pressure to choose the ideal gift for every occasion has never been greater. In days gone by, gifts would traditionally have been given for birthdays, weddings, Christmas and perhaps the birth of a new baby. In modern civilization, it's the norm to give gifts for engagements, graduations, moving into a new home, Valentine's day, anniversaries, new jobs Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparent's Day, a new pet....and the list goes on! The event for which you plan to buy a present (in addition to the identity of the intended recipient) can inform both your gift kind and your gift budget. It would be anticipated, for instance, that additional money could be spent on a wedding gift for your sister, than to get a new home gift for a work seeker. Over spending a gift can be just as embarrassing for your gift recipient as under spending. Bear in mind that giving an ostentatious gift can put unnecessary pressure on the receiver to respond in kind when it's your turn to receive!
In-store or Online
The days of pounding the roads in search of the perfect gift, although not in a conclusion, have perhaps been rendered unnecessary. The advent of online shopping malls a new age of shopping from home in which you can get thousands upon thousands of shops at the click of your mouse. Should you choose to shop online for your gift, there are 2 things you should check for at the outset. While it's true that delivery costs may often be offset against gas and parking costs, it's important to check that what you're being billed for postage and packaging is not likely to make you regret your decision to shop online. The fantastic thing is that several internet retailers offer very reasonable postage charges, some even offer free postage and packaging; shop around and make sure you find yourself a fantastic deal.
The other thing to keep an eye out for as you browse each website is a testimonial or reviews page. While legislation does provide a certain amount of protection for online shoppers, it cannot compensate for the inconvenience and frustration of waiting for your package to arrive only to discover that it is of inferior quality or unsuitable for your purpose. Take the opportunity to browse the comments of prior shoppers and save yourself the bother of having to return items at a later date.