GIFTING 101

I WANT TO TREAT MY SELF MAYBE SOMEONE ELSE TOO.

An important part of the new year are the gifts we give to our friends and family members, whether it’s close relatives or those friends who are just getting to know each other better through the year. The hustle and bustle of everyday life starts to slow down, giving us more time to think about the best gifts we can give to those people in our lives. What are some of the best gifts that have ever been given? What are some of the top gifts you might consider giving this year? If you’re looking for answers, read on!

TIPS ON EVERYDAY GIFTS:

Pay attention, listen, and take notes

Do your best to listen to your family and friends year-round to really understand them and get a feel for what they like, care about it, and desire. The people around us are typically openly communicating about these things, and in those moments, you can typically uncover the perfect gift idea! Whether it’s a quick, sly mention of something they enjoy, an object they wish they could afford, or something they truly love to do, it’s crucial to pay attention! Our advice? Keep a running list or note on your phone, in your journal, or on your computer. Add to this list year-round. That way, the next time you’re in a present-slump, you can consult with your handy-dandy list for help.

Know who you’re shopping for

While this might not always apply to your gift-giving process (office-wide Secret Santa games, we’re looking at you), in most cases, keeping perspective about who you’re shopping for and what they’re interested in can help steer you in the right direction. Remember, the gift isn’t about what’s important to you—it’s about the person receiving the gift. When it comes to top-tier gifting, knowing your audience can be a game-changer.

Respectful snooping is A-OK

We’re not saying you should go through someone’s phone or start digging through their bathroom cabinets, but paying extra attention and enacting full detective mode can possibly help clue you into what your friends and family might be receptive to.

Take a look at their homes, their hobbies, their cars, and their routines. Do a quick scan of their social media. Do a little digging and some serious research.

Sleuthing around in this way can truly open up your eyes. Our advice? Be careful not to get caught respectfully sleuthing through their lives—that can be a hard thing to explain away!

Think outside the box

Remember, just because there’s pressure to put something great inside a gift box doesn’t mean you have to think inside that box! Giving a great gift is all about using your creative brain, which often means forgoing the routine, the boring, and the normal. For example, maybe your gift recipient doesn’t want something that can fit inside a box at all—instead, they might be more grateful for a fun experience, time with you, or a relaxing trip. Giving the gift of an experience—potentially one you enjoy together—can strengthen your relationship, build your bond, and matter more to people who aren’t fans of material possessions.

Don’t shy away from sentimentality

Well-selected gifts are often incredibly valuable, but not in the way you might think. No, we’re not talking about monetary value, we’re talking about sentimental value, or rather, something that’s laden with emotion or fosters a connection between the gift giver and the receiver. Though sentimental gifts can be hard to come up with, studies found that recipients of presents often prefer sentimental gifts (and that gift-givers don’t give sentimentally-valuable gifts as often as most would like). In other words, if you’ve got a great idea for a sentimental gift for your loved one, go for it—even if it’s tough to be vulnerable!

CHECK OUT UYEGIFTS.COM FOR OUR FAVORITE GIFTS, GADGETS AND ESSENTIALS.