Christmas is fast approaching, which is why shops are already racing to come up with all sorts of gift offers. Choosing presents is a challenge for some, and a routine for others. The truth is, no matter how well you think you know your loved ones, you’re still at risk of making mistakes. Of course, the gesture is to be appreciated, but still, why not play it safe with something that lives up to your loved ones’ expectations?
Read on to discover the most common mistakes people tend to make in their quest for the perfect gift. Some give what they’d like to receive, others just want to get away with a clichéd gift.
- Etiquette, a neglected aspect
And this is not about the price tag. Bear in mind that what you’d like to get yourself might be an inappropriate gesture for someone else. Don’t buy household or personal care items. Be specific and offer her something that fits her lifestyle. It could be a Fujiiryoki chair with massage features for someone who spends long hours at the office or for a performance athlete.
- Gifts…a fight against time
The work schedule and household chores barely give you time to breathe. Finding the perfect gift for each member of the family has turned into a race against time through the shop shelves. Unfortunately, many others are in your situation. So you shouldn’t be surprised by the crowds in shopping malls, the almost empty or cluttered shelves, the unavailable stocks or the products with visible defects. Nor are online orders without incident. Around the holidays deliveries are late and stocks are almost empty. It’s a good idea to draw up a list for each person and start looking at least 2 weeks before the date you want to give them the gift.
- Gifts with an ironic or insulting message
The holidays are the most emotionally charged time of year. It’s not the time to make jokes that reference other people’s sensitivities. A t-shirt, mug or anything else with such messages is only allowed in small circles where such jokes are accepted. As a rule, family members, colleagues or bosses might be offended by such ideas, so reorient yourself.
- Fake gifts, a proof of bad taste
Do you want to impress your boss by making yourself stand out with seemingly original gifts that stand out from the rest of your colleagues? A fake handbag, a counterfeit belt or a perfume that imitates the smell of the original is an offence to people with high quality standards. Many counterfeit products on the market faithfully reproduce the characteristics of the original. But bear in mind: someone with a trained eye will know where to look to check the authenticity of the product they have received from you.
Symbolic gifts, an expression of disinterest
We know that “gestures count”, but symbolic gifts are often impersonal, generalist and only show how little energy you have reserved for the recipient. Giving is a form of respect – that is if you have put effort and time into the search for that gift.
- Cliché gifts, an expression of a lack of creativity
Did you hit Secret Santa with that new colleague you don’t know much about? In general, avoid the classic festive sweet packages, Christmas-themed mugs, fluffy socks and anything else that falls into the ‘look out, cliché’ category.
However, you can save the image by adding a distinctive touch that gives the gift more originality. It could be an interesting gift box, a professionally wrapped hand, a card you’ve written yourself or a note with a funny or motivational message.
- Gifts for another don’t have to please us
Gifts should be chosen according to purely subjective criteria. Just because you’ve spotted a sci-fi novel in the bookshop that you’ve been hunting for a long time doesn’t mean it might be the perfect gift for someone who loves biographies. If your hobbies include yoga sessions, however, a dedicated mat and equipment is likely to be forgotten in the cupboard as soon as it reaches the recipient.
In conclusion, choosing the right gift is all about following the right strategy. Try to find out as much as possible about the preferences of the person you want to surprise. Leave clichéd or general gifts where they belong: on the shop shelves. Add a touch of originality to your gesture that is sure to be noticed. And most importantly: don’t leave anything to the last minute!
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