- When buying toys for a child, take the toy out of it's original packaging before wrapping. This enables the child to enjoy their gift immediately. Making a young child wait while removing all those fiddly ties and screws that hold the toy in place in it's packaging, can result in a meltdown and subsequent tantrum.
- Young children do not know the value of products. Buying gifts for your children of equal value can result in the child thinking that their sibling is more favoured because he/she received more gifts or bigger gifts. Do not worry about the cost when it comes to children, rather ensure that children receive gifts of similar sizes and similar amounts, regardless of the value. For example you spent £100 each on your children and one gift was significantly smaller than the other the child with the smaller gift will feel that they have lost out, or giving one child 5 gifts and another 2 gifts because they totalled equal value would make the child with the lesser amount of gifts feel that they have been short changed. Young children do not care if you spent £50 on them and £70 on their sibling, they just want to know that they received the same amount of gifts or gifts of the same size.
- Think about what the recipient of the gift would like to receive. It does not matter whether you love it or hate it, just that the recipient will love it. Too many times people buy gifts based on their own personal tastes, which can result in the recipient of the gift receiving something they do not really like.
- This tip applies to Christmas in particular, we have all been there, when you agree not to buy each other gifts and the other person goes ahead and buys a gift anyway. Buy a few extra gifts when doing Christmas shopping. These do not need to be expensive, items like a box of chocolates, candles, a photo frame or deodorant sets should cover it. This way if somebody has broken your agreement and gone ahead and bought you a gift anyway, you can reciprocate with a small gift of your own. Do not worry if your agreement is not broken, you will not be left with these gifts as you can use these to have a bit of fun on Christmas day. Use them as prizes for winning board games or have a Pass the Parcel game.
- Probably one of the most important tips. Respect your budget. Gift giving is not a competition. If your friends or family go ahead and buy you a really expensive gift, you do not have to compete. Keep within your budget. If you have only allowed £10 per person, stick to that. Do not feel obligated to splash out just because somebody else has. Friends and family should understand your situation and appreciate the thought that you have put into their gifts, rather than the monetary value.
- Be careful when giving gag gifts. The book on "How To Grow Hair" that you bought as a gag gift for bald Uncle Harry could backfire if he happens to be in a bad mood when he opens the gift.
- When buying gifts for children, always discuss with the parents. Perhaps the parents may think your gift unsuitable or you may end up buying the same gift. I remember my son's first Christmas. My then mother in law would not tell me what she had bought for him and he ended up with three duplicate gifts. Needless to say gifts were always discussed after that.
- Re-gifting - Although I have never tried re-gifting, I do believe that if you do this you need to be very careful. Re-gifting can hurt the feelings of those that originally gave you the gift especially if they feel they took the time to choose a gift they thought you would love. If you are going to re-gift then ensure you do this with somebody that is not know to the person that originally gave you the gift, like perhaps a work colleague.
- Add a special message to your greeting card, like "Saw this and thought of you". Also take the time to wrap your gift with care. Remember that all gifts do not need elaborate wrappings though. A gift basket for example does not need additional wrapping, and although you can see some of the items in the basket you cannot see them all and boxing and wrapping a gift basket will spoil the overall effect. Treat a gift basket much the same as flowers, the presentation itself requires that the gift does not need additional wrapping.
- Don't believe anyone that tells you they don't want anything. Listen out for hints and observe. Perhaps your Mum will see something in the store and remark on it, or perhaps she saw a jumper while out shopping and the look on her face tells you she loves it, if she puts it down again, go back when she is not around and buy that jumper for her. She will be so happy that you noticed. Little hints or observations like this can result in your buying the perfect gift.
We hope these tips have been helpful to you and that by using them you will ensure that you give gifts that are chosen with love, wrapped with care and that the recipient of the gift appreciates the effort you have put into their gift. After all it really is the thought that counts and if you use these tips it will show how much you care.
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