Four Tips to Give the Perfect Gift
Happy Saturday! It is finally gift giving season, so let’s discuss four tips to give the perfect gift.
I do pride myself in knowing how to give the perfect gift.
Last year, I asked one of my grandsons what he wanted for Christmas.
His response, at 10 years old, was, “You always know what to get me.”
As I like to say, his response…blessed my socks off!
So, here are four tips of how to give the perfect gift.
FOUR TIPS TO GIVE THE PERFECT GIFT – TIP #1
TIP #1 Exchange the word gift for BLESSING.
How can you give a blessing to special people this year? What would truly bless them?
This will set you on a path to discovering the perfect gift… not just any gift for under the tree.
I realize there are some who will say not to give gift cards because…. how could it bless someone?
But, during difficult economic times, a gift card to the local grocery might be exactly the blessing someone needs, or money to go toward an electric bill or even a gas card.
Whatever you do, make sure you look at the perfect gift as a blessing and not just a wrapped box.
I gave my daughter a gift early because I knew it would bless her to wear a holiday outfit to work and to the boy’s school.
She is so busy as a working mom I knew there was no time to shop for herself.
And she was blessed.
This is the TALBOTS EMBELLISHED SWEATER…a fair isle sweater with Christmas trees.
I combined It with the JAMES AVERY ENAMEL CHRISTMAS TREE EARRINGS.
FOUR TIPS TO GIVE THE PERFECT GIFT – TIP #2
TIP #2: KNOW AS MUCH ABOUT THE RECIPIENT AS YOU CAN
Gift giving is best if you know the recipient of the gift really, really well.
Know their likes and dislikes…know their loves…know their needs….be observant…pay attention…
LISTEN.
All of my grandchildren are different, and it really matters to them when I give gifts that show I know who they are and what they like.
Adults are no different. We all like to believe our likes, dislikes and needs have been acknowledged and noticed.
I pay attention to them all year long…and how they are growing and changing whether adults or children.
FOUR TIPS TO GIVE THE PERFECT GIFT – TIP #3
TIP #3. WOULD THEY BUY IT?
The perfect gift is often something the recipient would not purchase for themselves for one reason or another.
It might be financial, or maybe a woman who puts herself at the bottom of her priority list and spends first on others.
Listen to what they say throughout the year for help in this area. Then you can truly gift a blessing.
FOUR TIPS TO GIVE THE PERFECT GIFT – TIP #4
TIP #4 PRESENTATION CAN ADD TO IT BEING PERFECT
The perfect gift demonstrates that you went the “extra mile” to make it really special.
This can be done through the gift itself or the wrapping or both.
For example, a gift certificate to a young lady’s favorite spa can be wrapped in a nice basket with lotions, essential oil and a headwrap. A fun necklace could include a gift card to a restaurant for you and the receiver to go to lunch.
A stuffed animal can be packaged with a zoo pass….you get what I am saying here. I love to do this in a variety of ways.
A basket of dog goodies and toys may be the blessing his/her owner needs to smile.
A special box to a child who loves art full of paper, paints and markers.
(I could go on for days with ideas…if you need any just let me know)
In conclusion, the perfect gift is given with love and there is no doubt from the recipient that love motivates the giver.
The perfect gift need not be expensive…just thoughtful.
I love to give gifts and shop for others…it is fun for me. Perhaps some of the four tips will motivate and help those of you who struggle with it.
GIFT GIVING IDEAS – TAKE NOTE
Our friends at By Brian Regenerative Skincare have fun packages for gift.
AND….a big sale going on all weekend long. Check it out at BY BRIAN.
Sale Dates: 11/29/2024 12AM though 12/3/2024
UP TO 40% off most Skincare and Color Cosmetics
Of course, it is difficult for anyone to select the perfect gifts for you…but I can give you ideas and point you in the right direction with my Four Tips to Give the Perfect Gift.
Please remember my SHOPPING LINKS at the top of the page and if you do not see your favorite place, then please email and ask me…sometimes I might have a link for it.
I so appreciate those who support this blog by shopping with the links and reading the posts…you guys are amazing and I am thankful for you.
Now, work on that gift list, and join me for a special day tomorrow…. and always…..
STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
What a helpful post Pam!! Thank you for the ideas and a reminder to really focus on what each recipient would love…. Especially our older children!
You are so welcome, Sabrina!
I love to buy gifts for people, and agree totally with the idea of buying something the recipient wants, but would not buy themselves. And paying attention works too. One tip I have for adults is buying a luxury version of something they wear and love, such as high end athletic wear. I realize that’s not in everyone’s budget, but sales and clearances can go far if you have something in mind and give yourself time to shop it. A handmade gift or gift wrapping is also usually well received.
Thanks for sharing, Linda!
I love this! Gifts that make you feel seen are the best!
Do you have any thoughts on a gift for an elderly woman who is downsizing and has recently been diagnosed with dementia? We are making a trip to my in-laws this year, and they are struggling health wise.
These are some really good ideas. As I am right in the middle of shopping this is helpful.
Happy to help, Paula!
It has been awhile, Stacy. But I do remember my MIL liked cozy blankets and pretty scarves that made her feel pretty. I hope that helps
Stacy, I am so sorry to hear that your family member has a devastating diagnosis of dementia. Depending upon the climate where she lives, think cozy and comfortable. A lovely throw, warm slippers and flannel pajamas. Or a lovely box of tea. Amazon has collections and bamboo boxes for tea to last most of the year. I also bought my friend a Password book so she can keep track of her passwords without little pieces of paper stashed everywhere. Just some suggestions that add to Pam’s great ones.
Thanks for helping Sydney!
Stacy, my mother was in a dementia facility the last year and a half. There were 2 things she loved—photos of her growing-up life and music. She couldn’t remember us all of the time, but always remembered photos of the little town she grew up in and early photos of her parents and sister . She also loved music, especially concerts of Andre Rieu. We gifted all of his DVDs to her facility and they showed those concerts on their big screen TV. It made me especially happy because all of the residents got to see those lovely, happy programs. May I tell you of my last visit to her? I used to fly in every other month to see her. The last time I went straight from the airport to her. The nurse was putting her to bed. When she saw me she smiled, put her arms up and asked, “Are you my mother?” I think often of that. She knew I was someone she dearly loved and that touched me deeply. What a beautiful memory she left me.
Your comment is so touching, Linlee. Thank you for sharing that moment with us.
Pam, once again you’ve given us great ideas for remembering our friends and family at this special time of year. Gift giving is my love language, and it’s been hard for me to dial that back now that I’m on a fixed income. I used to work two or three extra jobs year-round so I could indulge my loved ones on their birthdays and at Christmas. I have always believed that everyone should get a pony for Christmas or their birthday at least once in their lifetime. Not necessarily a real live horse, but something that is over the top, outrageous, impossible, unexpected but is their heart’s (possibly unspoken) desire. From the used Honda I gave my daughter on her 16th birthday to trips and guitar lessons, I’ve been so blessed by the recipient’s reaction to these gifts. It’s more about knowing the person really well than spending a lot of money, and listening carefully year-round makes a huge difference, as you mentioned. Just yesterday at our belated Thanksgiving meal, my best friend’s mom mentioned that her favorite afternoon treat was a jumbo Tootsie Roll pop, preferably chocolate or cherry. I casually said “Where on earth do you get those?” and her son-in-law answered “I order them for her on Amazon.” I always get her husband his favorite candy and was wishing I knew of something equivalent for her, so I came home and immediately ordered some for a Christmas treat. It was not expensive, but she’ll be tickled to receive them. Gifts like the sweater and earrings for your daughter are so perfect; not only the items themselves, but the timing so she can enjoy them through the season.
For Stacy, I took care of my mother with dementia for twelve years before she passed late last year. She never lost the desire to read, so I tried to keep her stocked with books from her favorite Christian authors. She also loved word search puzzles, which come in large print versions if eyesight is an issue. As the Alzheimer’s grew worse, I would re-wrap books I had previously given her because they were new to her again. She was always cold, and as others have mentioned, loved things to keep warm. It’s just important to watch out for things that could trip them, like big furry house shoes. She also appreciated postage stamps and boxes of assorted occasion cards so she could remember friends and loved ones even after she could no longer leave the house. She was a stickler for a healthy diet, but most older people have some sort of treat that says “special” to them. For my daddy it was a box of chocolate covered cherries and a bag of orange slice candy. I take my best friend’s mom a bag of Stauffer’s animal crackers every time I visit her throughout the year. They are low sugar, keep well, and she absolutely loves them. I only buy her candy at Christmas, but can’t wait to give her the jumbo Tootsie Pops I just learned that she loves. Finally, most elderly people enjoy photos of loved ones, especially their grandkids. Hoping that helps! Best wishes for a good visit with them, and for her continued ability to function independently.
Thank you for sharing about your mom. I know these are tender places. I hope Stacy has seen this talk.
I don’t usually shop Talbots due to fit issues, but couldn’t resist ordering the Christmas tree sweater you got for your daughter when I saw that it’s on sale 50% off today! I also got the metallic scarf in highland green to coordinate with it at 40% off. I felt that would be more versatile than the matching tree scarf. Wanted to share that for other readers who loved it but were deterred by the full price. Happy shopping!
Wonderful tips Pamela and I particularly agree with #2 as knowing and listening to the recipient certainly does help when choosing a gift for them. For example; an elderly friend of one of my sisters (whom has now passed on) I do buy for, and for her birthday I gave her a (bright pink very girly) mini cordless chainsaw (of all things) that she absoutely loves since maintains are large property by herself and for this Christmas I have chosen to give her a C*vid-19 & Influenza A/B Test Device Kit (not available at our Pharmacies in Canada) with hopes it gives her ‘peace of mind’ as finds it diffcult to get an appointment at any given time with her Doctor which she has expressed. Also I’ll be including a small box of Laurent Gerbaud chocolates from Belgium not available here. As to Stacy’s question (and possibly of interest to some of your other readers); for ‘adapable clothing’ she may find something on Silverts.com where one can shop by need. -Brenda-
This is lovely, Pamela! My favorite: think in terms of blessing. I’m not great at gift giving, don’t particularly like to shop, but I remind myself of how as kids we enjoyed gifts from a favorite great aunt. She didn’t see us often, but each Christmas she sent a box containing eight small presents (six of us girls plus our mom and dad), all wrapped in colored tissue and decorated, each year different. Might be sequins, polka dots, cut-out pictures or letters glued on, maybe spelling our names … This was the 1950s and she didn’t have much money, gifts themselves might be something of hers, but she put love and time and colorful creativity into them.
And Linlee — what a precious memory.
Thanks for this good lesson!
Love your examples, Brenda!
Thank you for being here!
Great ideas for how to give a thoughtful gift. It shows what a wonderful person you are!