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Pick Perfect Presents
Giving presents is a talent: to know what a person wants, to know when and how to get it, to give it lovingly and well.
- Pamela Glenconner (1871-1928), British author
by Peggy Fisher
How are your holidays?
The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, festivities, family and fun. But for many of us the annual whirl is stressful and depressing.
One major cause of holiday stress is trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
Resolve this issue, and you will take a major step toward de-stressing your holidays.
Here are some easy tips to help you make it easier and more fun to get the perfect present for everyone from your spouse, children, and grandchildren, to your boss, co-workers, neighbors and service providers.
I once worked for a CEO who gave me invaluable advice about how to provide gifts guaranteed to please. Whenever I followed his simple guidelines, it worked like magic: happy, grateful recipients guaranteed.
His secret was so basic you tend to question it when you first hear it; I did.
Give others what they themselves would choose.
Note well: this is not the old-saw of giving others what you yourself like. That common-sense approach seems reasonable at first. If antiques, books, cats or the perfect painting add joy to your life, why shouldn't they make everyone happy?
If you think about it, you'll realize how wrong this rule of thumb is. The gifts that please you the most are not going to make others happy unless they are just like you. How many people are?
So take the time to learn what the person loves, what he or she always selects when shopping for themselves.
In the case of my former boss, three passions made him happy: ties, golf and the Confederacy. Anytime I bought him ties-and even better if I could link the ties to golf or the Old South, I had a win. Whenever I strayed, I was in trouble. For example, one time I found the cutest little wicker monkey in a shop in the Florida Keys. I thought it was adorable and funny; how could my boss resist? He never mentioned the monkey; another male friend confirmed my concern: "Why on earth would you give him that?"
So the next year for Christmas and his birthday, I was back to more ties, golf and Rebel gifts. He never tired of those sure winners.
However, a caution: stay alert for possible changes in what gifts a person wants. Many people-and especially women-are avid collectors of their favorite animals-dogs, horses, cats, dolphins, baby animals, etc. These make perfect gifts for these people…with one caveat. Subtly check periodically to ensure they are still collecting them.
One friend realized recently that she prefers the real thing. She had live dogs of her favorite breed, and more than enough china, pictures, etc., of doggie art.
Anyone who moves, downsizing a house, may be especially leery of more collectibles which not only collect dust, but are a monumental hassle when relocating. Even worse, if your new home is smaller, you may have to pay for outside storage for your collection-as happened to a friend with her once-beloved strawberry-everything collectibles.
Other tips to make gift giving a breeze:
Consider gift certificates: These are easy, always appreciated, and your recipients can select exactly what they desire.
Use gift bags and tissue paper to make "wrapping" quick and effortless. Don't write on the tag that comes with the bag, and your recipient can recycle the pretty bags for someone else. This is environmentally friendly and thoughtful.
Instead of collectibles if you know someone loves anything to do with a favorite animal, fruit or recreation, give something with their favorite motif that they can use: a mouse pad, calendar, decorative waste basket, address book, piece of clothing, towels, etc., featuring their passion.
Give the gift of time: offer your services to help others in a way they could use and appreciate.
Take them to holiday lunch or brunch. Brunches are especially festive and more cost-effective than dinner. So are lunches, especially if you research the restaurant, and know they have good luncheon specials.
Final Tip: Shop for gifts all year; avoid the mad December rush-which seems to start earlier each year, now often before Thanksgiving. New Year's is the perfect time to begin, taking advantage of after the holidays, deeply discounted sales.
With a bit of planning and thought, picking perfect presents can be more stress-fee and joyous as it was intended to be.
*Peggy Fisher is a syndicated columnist who features safety, fitness and environmental stewardship. She has had work published in newspapers, magazines and websites in over 100 countries. She offers free weekly Seaside Scoop email with Word for the Week and fitness, conservation tips and inspiration from the sea at: writingbyfisher@bellsouth.net.
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