A gift giver who is on the ball
Show you’re paying attention to those closest to you when selecting their gift
You did it. You’ve trimmed down your gift-giving list so you’re giving out fewer chocolate truffle-filled coffee mugs to people you barely know and thus can spend more on those nearest and dear to you. So, what to get when you’ve got a little bit of cash? How can you pick truly memorable gifts? We asked gift bloggers for their thoughts on selecting the perfect gift. Be a listener “Listen closely to the people in your life,” says Lindsay Roberts Schey, founder of the blog thegiftinsider.com. “Many people unintentionally mention things they really want or need or some may drop subtle hints at what they are really hoping for.”
If you’re not good at listening in, give some thoughts to their interests and hobbies.
“There are hundreds of gifts out there associated with even the most obscure hobbies and tastes,” says Schey. “If you find a few smaller items, put them together in a themed gift set, because everyone likes to get lots of presents.”
Really stumped? “Another gift idea goldmine is a person’s Pinterest or personal Facebook page,” says Marie Anakee Miczak, the New York-based blogger behind gavethat.com. Go for something different “Try to give experience based gifts, such as a subscription box service, passes to the movies or a gift card to a local coffee shop,” suggests Miczak. After all, don’t we all have enough coffee mugs? Make it harmonize by packaging movie gift certificates with a bag of licorices or some packages of microwave popcorn to hit the theme home or pairing a lovely bath towel set with a bag of scented Epsom salts. Think unique . . . and something that you would like to get:“The best gifts are the ones that people absolutely love but just wouldn’t buy for themselves or would buy for themselves but you found it first,” says Lisa Pozin, the Vancouver-based owner of Giving Gifts. Or themed Such as books, calendars or sports items.
“Start the habit of having a “signature gift” for each type of person on your list,” Roberts Schey says. “It saves you time and you end up having your own ‘style’ of gift-giving each season.”
Also think about grouping items together to complete a theme if you can’t find a substantial enough gift to give to a deserving someone on your list.
Package them in a practical vessel like a chic ice bucket or square vase to complete the look, Roberts Schey adds.