How to choose gifts that won’t end up collecting dust in a corner
When we can’t seem to find the right gift and decide on a general gift instead, we’re often comforted by the idea that it’s the thought that counts. After all, gift-giving should be more about the connection you establish with the other person and the meaning behind it.
However, the last thing you want is to choose a present that will be received with a polite smile, only to end up gathering dust in a corner, or worse, to go straight to the bin. Unfortunately, that’s what happens to a lot of the presents we buy for our loved ones. The problem is that finding the perfect gift is often very challenging, especially when you’re looking for a present for someone who’s notoriously hard to shop for. You want something that’s appropriate for the occasion, suits their personal preferences, is somewhat special and falls within your price range, but finding a present that checks all these boxes is incredibly difficult.
Luckily, we’ve got a few present-buying strategies up our sleeve that can put an end to this gift-giving dilemma to help you avoid gift waste from now on. Here’s what you should consider:
Buy gifts in advance
Stress and pressure are two factors that won’t help you at all. The quick fix: buy gifts in advance, so you can avoid the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and have enough time to purchase the perfect gift.
If you happen to come across a beauty advent calendar, a book, a gadget, or any other item that you know the other person will love, buy it right then and there, because you might not get a second chance to purchase it, or you might simply forget about it.
Personalised gifts
A really simple way to make the gift-giving experience unique and show your loved ones how much you care about them is to personalise their gifts. Even the most conventional and basic present can turn into something truly special through customisation.
Not only will this prove that you’ve put a lot of thought into your present and didn’t simply buy a mass-produced item, but it will also serve as a reminder of the special bond you have with that person. Almost everything can be personalised, from jewellery to clothes and so on.
Gift vouchers
The best gifts are often the ones that people choose themselves. If you’re worried about buying the wrong gift, why not let your loved ones choose the gift themselves? No one knows their wants and needs better than they do, so it makes sense to leave it up to them to choose something they really like and need by offering them a gift voucher at one of their favourite stores.
That way, you’ll be able to skip the time-consuming gift buying process and avoid making a terrible gifting mistake. This is also a very convenient option when you can’t give someone their present in person because of the distance or some other reason. You just send them the gift voucher online and they’ll do the shopping.
Experience gifts
Lately, experience gifts are popular, whether we’re talking about workshops, trips, classes, concerts, or tours, these are the kinds of gifts that create memories.
Instead of giving someone something that sooner or later will be forgotten, you can give them an experience that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. People have a greater appreciation for precious memories than they have for material things.
Take notes
Not one to remember what people want for their birthdays, anniversaries, or any other special occasion? No problem, we’re not going to blame you for not having the memory of an elephant and remembering all your family’s and friends’ wishes. Instead, we’re going to offer you an easy solution to your memory problem: taking notes.
When your loved ones mention something that could make a great gift in the future, write it down. Maybe there’s an advent calendar that they really like, but you know for sure they won’t purchase themselves, a clothing item, a gadget, or anything else that they’ve got their eyes on for some time. It’s good to have these items listed somewhere, so when it’s the right time to buy them a present, you’ll know exactly what to get.
Limit your gifting list
Want to know what’s the simplest and most effective way to limit gift waste? Reduce the number of gifts you purchase. This might sound a bit harsh or selfish, but it’s actually a very considerate and wise thing to do. Try to look at things from this perspective: do you really need to give everyone you know a present just because it’s the holiday season or another special occasion? The simple answer is no.
Why bother purchasing so many gifts out of self-induced obligation when you know most of them are completely useless and won’t bring any joy anyway? You can choose the smarter approach to gift-giving and limit your gifting list to a few close family members and friends that deserve your time and attention. Your budget and the planet will thank you.
