To continue on my thoughts of gift giving, I had a revelation. Maybe "revelation" isn't the best word, considering I had thought about it before yesterdays article. Epiphany may be what I am looking for. I was thinking about gift giving some more and was thinking about the advice I gave the other day. A co-worker of mine asked my advice about what kind of gift she could give someone who was helping her out. Since it was a unique situation I thought about it for a few minutes. Her situation didn't call for a grand gesture or home made goodies, but something more appropriate. This is when it hit me, gift giving isn't about you, or even them sometimes, but about the situation. After you consider the situation, next consider the person. Finally, think about yourself. Here is what you need to think about:
~ Is this a birthday? The holidays? Anniversary? House warming? Think about the circumstances, too. Are you moving in with a friend after a bad break up? Does the birthday party take place at a fancy night club in Las Vegas? All these factors will tell you how to strategize your gift giving. You need to match the occasion and circumstances.
~ Who are you giving this gift too? Is it your hippie sister? Your high-maintenance sister-in-law? What about your single, city-dwelling best friend? Who you give the gift too is one of the most important pieces in this gift giving equation. I can't give a second-hand item to my sister-in-law without adding something to it, however my sister would appreciate the thriftiness behind my special find.
~ Just because your relative is high-maintenance doesn't mean you have to break the bank or become less crafty than you have trained yourself to be! I am a firm believer in buying great quality and brands at low prices and not being taken over by the allure of pretty packages. Sure, I love holding a small silver bow from Nordstroms or a hot pink shopping bag from Betsey Johnson, but I can't bring myself to pay an arm and a leg for the product. Here is where you get crafty- don't pay full price and still get that status-symbol packaging. How? Buy the stuff on sale, second hand, at a discount store then make a special trip. Have you ever seen Breakfast at Tiffany's? If no, go right now and buy it- don't rent- BUY, and study. It is perfect. Anyways, there is a scene in there when Audrey Hepburn's character talks about how she goes to Tiffany's just to feel good, she doesn't buy anything. This is the kind of trip I'm talking about. Walk into that specialty store and browse around. Buy if you want, but this trip is meant to be free. Ask the sales clerk for the stores gift boxes and tissue, shopping bag, or whatever, and put that discounted item in it. Voila! High maintenance relative can kiss it! They think they're getting high end with a high price tag but really you just faked them out! HA!
And here's another idea: don't buy them anything. A simple thank you card (that, yes, you can make it yourself) with a sincere offer to help around their house, watch their kids, or sweat in their garden with them. Whatever you know they would appreciate help with or a break from, offer to take over it for a night, week, or, if a big favor, a month. This will not only be wallet friendly for yourself but much appreciated from the receiver.
So, long story short here: A little algebra for you, What + Who + You = Perfect gift giving. And if all fails, offer to help your gift-receiver out and you will win their heart.
Do you have a go to gift-giving trick you do? Is it similar to my epiphany? Let me know!
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