Write a Blurb About the Recipient
Trying to think of a gift in a vacuum is hard. Instead, look at everything holistically to get a better idea of what a person would like. Write up a short bio of the person you’ll be gifting to, and see if anything springs to mind that would suit them. Maybe you’ll trigger long-forgotten memories of this person’s lifestyle that will give you the perfect gift inspiration.
Even if you can just turn them into a stereotype, that’s not so bad gift-wise. Googling “gifts for basic/quirky/intellectual/etc. 20-year-old female” will return a world of ideas.
Keep a Running List
For those special people in your life, keep lists open for gift ideas throughout the year. When something pops into your head or, even better, they tell you something they would like, you can keep it all in one convenient place, just waiting for the right time to go shopping. This will save you the trouble of having to brainstorm a week before their celebration, plus it will make you look like you have a crazy impressive memory.
Don’t Try to Reinvent The Wheel
You don’t need to give someone a present that they never could have imagined buying themself. You don’t even need to spend a ton of money to get the best gifts. You’re looking for something that compliments their personality or hobbies. You can even get just a nicer version of something they already own and love.
This is really what’s behind the saying, “It’s the thought that counts.” It’s not that you can just give a loved one anything and they should be grateful because they got something – that’s a waste of money. But take a look at what your loved one likes to do in their free time, or how they unwind at the end of a long day, and inspiration will flow.
Gift With Love
The absolute best way to kill a mood when gift-giving is to undermine your thoughtfulness or to complain about the cost or effort. If you know you got a great gift, then graciously accept their thanks, don’t shrug it off, and act like you barely put any thought into it. Conversely, don’t blabber on about how hard it was to shop for them, or about how much time and money it took to source their gift. Just be cool, give your present with love, and smile at their appreciation.
You Can Do It!
Like we said, gift-giving is an art, and even if you weren’t born with the gift of gifting, it’s not too late to learn. Soon enough, you’ll be everyone’s favorite person to receive presents from because you make them feel seen and appreciated.