Receiving and giving a gift should be a joyous time, where everyone’s anticipating what’s coming and everyone ends with a bit of a happy kick in their heart. However, how many times have you been the giver or the recipient where instead the act is punctuated by awkwardness, uncertainty, and disappointment? Where do these gifts go wrong? That is what we are going to look at.
A lack of knowing
This is the number one mark of a bad gift. Do not get gifts that you think would be awesome for them. Get gifts that they have given you some hint that they will love. Everyone has his or her interests. Maybe they are a little fandom-obsessed. Maybe they have a hobby that you could help facilitate. There is nothing more disappointing than a gift that shows a complete lack of insight into even the surface levels of someone’s personality.
Zero personal investment
The gift does not necessary have to be about what you know about them, either. Some people are just that hard to read, after all. It can be about what you know about your relationship. A gift that has a shared connection to the both of you, some personal investment, can make a huge difference. Perhaps creative homemade gift ideas could get you crafting something specifically for them. Perhaps you could get them something that reminds them of a personal experience or trip that you have shared. Make it about the relationship more than about the gift itself.
A complete surprise
Surprises can make people incredibly happy; there is no doubt about it. However, when it comes to surprise presents, more often than usual, it can lead to an awkward experience. That is because it creates a sense of uncertainty that then leads to tension. The gift receiver wants to love what you get them as much you want them to love it. They do not want to disappoint you with their reaction. However, when a gift is a complete surprise, that desire to please you with their reaction becomes a fear that they will do the opposite. It is why many people simply do not like surprise gifts. Give them a bit of build-up to it instead.
Focus on the monetary
This is the biggest mistake of all. There’s some value to be seen in gifts that are monetarily valuable. It shows that you’ve invested quite a bit in a gift. However, thinking that expensive is enough is a big mistake. You can save a lot on a gift and get it as cheap as you like. If it has the emotional impact or the insight on the recipient above, it will be a lot more treasured than an expensive trinket that has little connection to either of you. Those monetary gifts soon become just another ‘thing’ with little emotional value for them.
Gifts are all about the relationship that you have with someone. They’re about what the gift says about the relationship and what you say about them. Taking the time to think about what you really know about a person, what they value, or maybe even what you value about them can lead you to a gift that will get the kind of reception you’re hoping for.