Gift-Giving Tips To Finding The Perfect Present

At LifeSong Milestones, we believe that gifting is so much more than the physical exchange of objects. That’s why our motto is “Changing lives one gift at a time.”

When you give someone a gift, you’re sending them a personal heartfelt message that says you care about them. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for a new baby, baptism, birthday, or engagement, the gift you give holds a special meaning, regardless of the occasion. If you need help finding the perfect gift for an upcoming celebration, follow the tips below to make your gift shopping experience smooth and stress-free.

Master The Art Of Observing

Gifts are most often appreciated when they speak to the unique interests of the individual receiving the gift. Meaningful gift-givers know that observation is the key to finding a successful gift. Once you have mastered the art of subtly paying attention to your friend's needs and interests, it should be easy to find them a gift they’ll not only love but also use. If you listen closely to your friend or loved one, they’ll likely drop tiny hints about what they want or need and it’s up to you to make a mental note for later. 

But there’s always that one person who is almost impossible to shop for. If after observing, you’re still unsure of what to give them, then ask yourself these questions:

• What is their language of love? Not all people appreciate the same things so knowing their love language will help you understand if they’d rather receive an expensive present, an act of service, a heartfelt poem filled with words of affirmation, physical touch, or quality time together. If you don’t know what their love language is, then you both can take a test here to find out.
• What do they do or want to do in their free time? You could buy a ticket to an event/experience they’d like to try or items that help them with a hobby.
• Is there something they want to learn more about? Consider looking at books, online webinars, or a class nearby that they'd like to attend. 
• Would they like to do something together? Some people value time together over money or physical objects. Maybe you could purchase a class for both of you to do together.
• Are they short on money or time? If they are short on money, then maybe they’d like a VISA gift card for supplies for their business/school/kids/hobbies. If they are a college student then maybe they would love to receive a pile of their favorite snacks and drinks. If they have an extremely busy schedule, then consider something that would save them time like a gift card for a concierge, task, or service like Task Rabbit. You could also offer to make them dinner one weeknight a month, even if it’s a freezer meal you prepare a week or two in advance. It saves them a lot of time and doesn’t cost you that much.
• Do they need to relax and what do they consider to be relaxing? Consider gifting a spa treatment, taking them on a weekend getaway, or organizing a day at the lake. If spending time alone is how they like to relax, then consider organizing a day for them to be alone with their books or art. 
• Do they appreciate heart-felt/memorable items? Consider getting creative and making something for them. You could check out Lifesong Milestones, which has a large variety of personalized gifts for every occasion.
• Are they very practical? Maybe they would like a functional gift, not something that just sits around and collects dust. If so, check out these customizable coasters, cutting boards, candle holders, jewelry boxes, or blanket chest/toybox. 
• Do they have any pets? If this person already has everything they want and need, consider gifting something for their pets. It could be a brush, chew toy, treats, retractable leash, poop bags, or a thoughtful customizable dog bed.

Start Shopping Early for the Perfect Gift

Birthdays and holidays aren’t a surprise, or at least they shouldn’t be. Plan ahead by writing the date on your calendar and setting reminders on your phone. Then start shopping early to get the best deals. Look online and in stores. Don’t forget that Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday are good days to shop for deals.

If you’ve finished your Christmas shopping but find another amazing present for someone. Buy it and store it in a special place so that you can gift it on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, a birthday, etc.

Wrap it Nicely

To help your gift become the star of the show, make sure you take the time to properly wrap it in a neat and inviting manner. No one wants to receive a gift that looks like it has been dragged by its bow all the way from the North Pole. So take the time to make a positive first impression with your gift wrapping. 
 
Include A Card
 
Don’t forget to add a personalized, handwritten message on a note/card to show that you have taken special care in selecting their gift! The card can be bought or homemade. Just be sure to take a few minutes to write a heartfelt note. Include what this person means to you, and how much you wish them the best. Sometimes just a few heartfelt sentences can mean the world to someone, especially if their love language is words of affirmation!

Conclusion

While gift-giving can be a strenuous process, it can also be very rewarding. So take your time to observe the person’s needs/wants to discover what would be appreciated. Plan in advance so you have enough time to shop. Then put in that extra effort to wrap it nicely and write a heartfelt message. The recipient is sure to be pleased. All your effort will be worth it!