6 rules that will help you always give the best gifts

When we exchange gifts with someone and suddenly realize that they prepared something much better for us than we received in return, this is a special kind of suffering. Of course, our intentions matter and the love we put into it matters, so almost anything can make a good gift. The secret here is not cost or size, but choosing the right thing for the right person. Here are some principles to help you be creative and always come up with great ideas.

1. Remember that not every gift has to be life-changing or expensive.

The search for a suitable option often begins with the question “What gift can I give to this person?” give just me? or “What gift will show this person that I know him very well?” But choosing something that will meet such criteria is impossible. In addition, a gift does not necessarily have to evoke a storm of emotions in the recipient. Something fun, pleasant or calming is also perfect.

Likewise, you don’t have to spend a lot of money for a gift to be valuable. You might even come up with an interesting idea that won't cost you a penny. For example, arrange a book exchange at a family holiday, when everyone chooses something from their personal library that they think the other will like. Explaining your choices and discussing what you read can develop into more personal and in-depth conversations with relatives.

2. Check your choice using a short checklist

It consists of only three questions:

1. Can I introduce a person to something that he would hardly know about himself?
2. Can I give him a better version of what he would buy for himself?
3. Can I give him confidence that he is understood?

If you check the box next to at least one of these points, most likely you have picked up a really good gift.

The third point is especially important, because we generally give something just so that other people know that they are noticed and understood. We show love through gifts that reflect our loved one's personality and how we see them. You can buy him an expensive model of a radio-controlled car, but you can also find a replica of a simple car, similar to the one he lost as a child.

3. Keep a list of ideas

People who can do cool things present, do not think about them a few weeks before the holiday, but almost always record ideas throughout the year. And they update lists of potential options when a person mentions some desire or when they come across something interesting on the Internet.

There is nothing stopping you from creating such a list in any convenient form, for example, in notes on your phone. If your loved ones are interested in something unusual, say vintage or handmade items, you can subscribe to newsletters from specialized stores or thematic accounts on social networks so as not to miss new ones receipts.

A convenient system for collecting ideas will also allow you to avoid asking people what they want. When we ask such questions, we thus shift the responsibility for the gift onto the person himself. It is much better to constantly listen to those around you and immediately write down everything in which they show interest.

4. Create a mini-biography of the recipient

And even if you know well the person to whom you are going to give the gift. Exactly the most loved ones People have the hardest time coming up with a decent option.

Try to move away from grandiose plans and compose a concise biography of a person, describing his interests and hobbies in just three sentences. For example: “My father has been an electrician all his life, loves to do crossword puzzles, and thinks going to the gym is a waste of time.”

If you've spent a long time scrolling through selections of ideal gifts, try to stop thinking of your loved one as a consumer. It’s much better to present something that says, “Look, dad, this is for you,” rather than catering to a certain demographic where options for men boil down to whiskey stones and beard trimmers.

5. Don't worry about gifts for someone you don't know well

From an etiquette point of view, gifts for strangers can be personalized, but they should not be too personal. Gifting a colleague perfume or clothes is not a good idea. Instead, it is better to choose something related to your hobbies. For example, if he or she likes to draw, you can present a certificate for an art workshop.

When we don’t know a person well, we don’t need to look for a gift that will demonstrate his character or our attitude towards him, because, in fact, we don’t yet have any close connection. Therefore, the main thing is to find something that will make the recipient at least a little happier. It is enough to know just one personal fact about him to find something interesting. For example, if you know that a person likes to experiment with cocktails, these could be unusual ice molds.

6. Don't discount universal gifts

If you've tried everything but haven't come up with anything, turn to proven options. There are several of them:

• Books. This is still the best gift and a great opportunity to get to know a person better. You might choose something you liked or something that suits the recipient's interests, such as a new best-selling mystery book, an urban bird guide, or a collection of recipes.
• Food, drinks and products. It could be something with a touch of nostalgia like stocking up on buckwheat for an emigrant, something more unusual like rare spices, or something soulful like a signature homemade liqueur.
• An absurd number of favorite things. If you know someone likes certain things, just give them a ton of them. For example, a giant box of chocolate eggs. It's fun. And it shows that you know the person. A pair socks will look sad, five pairs will look responsible, 10 pairs will look interesting, and 100 pairs will look simply funny and absurd, which will make them an excellent gift.