Over the years, I’ve been asked how do I select the perfect gift for friends and family and how can they do the same? There are several things to take into consideration when selecting a gift before purchasing a present online or in a store. Whether you’re looking for birthday, holiday, wedding or any other important occasion gift, here’s the Art of Gift Giving and Regifting:
Listen for Ideas – Whenever you have a conversation with someone take mental notes of things they talk about. That’s the best place to get gift ideas. For example, a friend had mentioned she had lost her son’s toy that had special meaning. So when I gave her a present for her new baby I found a website that had the toy and included it as part of the gift package. She was so overjoyed to see the toy again and that I remembered the conversation we had months prior.
Make it Personal – While wedding and baby shower registries make selecting a gift easier, consider adding something personal as well, such as beauty/personal care products they can use for themselves. The gift recipient will remember you more than if you just bought them a blender off their registry. In addition, gift cards make a great option to bundle with a personal item.
Keep Within Your Budget – Set a budget for what you can afford and stick to it. A great gift doesn’t have to cost a lot. I’ve been able to find gifts that were half off while keeping within my budget. The result was getting friends and family more quality items than I could otherwise afford. Amazon.com is a good place to shop for any type of gift as well as Premium Outlet Stores that offer special sales throughout the year for even more savings.
Regifting, a Green Way to Recycle – But what about gifts you receive that you don’t want to keep? You can donate it, throw away or regift it. If you do decide to regift, keep track of who gave you the gift first so you don’t accidently give it back. Also it’s a good idea not to regift to someone who may know the person who originally gave you the gift to prevent an awkward situation. Otherwise, regifting may be an additional option to consider.
Remember when you give a gift regardless if it’s an original or regift, it’s a reflection of who you are as a person – generous, thoughtful or a good listener.
What other gift giving or regifting ideas do you have to share?
Image source (left side of image): stylemepretty.com
Cynthia Gedemer is a Digital Marketing Strategist and Business Coach with over 15 years of experience in growing revenue with innovative marketing programs for Financial Services, Insurance, Retail, Telecommunications, and Healthcare industries. Cynthia is also a contemporary artist and enjoys Stand Up Paddle Surfing. Connect with Cynthia on Google+, Facebook and Twitter.