The basics of giving great gifts.

Graduation. Mother’s Day, Birthdays. Just Because. There are many occasions and reasons to give gifts. We might feel obligated to give a gift at times, perhaps like when we receive a wedding invitation, but gifts should be from the heart and as a way to express good luck or gratitude for the recipient.

Before purchasing or making a gift the giver should really consider the recipient. Just like a good writer or an advertiser evaluates their target audience, the wants, needs and preferences of a gift recipient should be foremost in the selection process.

Secondly, once you have determined what the recipient really likes, try to take it one step further and think beyond the obvious. For example, if you are giving a Father’s Day gift to a dad who loves golf, think outside the golf bag.  Clubs, tees, and golf balls are obviously useful to the avid golfer, but they may never consider buying themselves an hour with a golf pro and could never find in the pro shop a handmade club covers. The more personal you make a gift, the more unique it becomes.

Finally, give without the expectation of receiving whether it be a gift in return or a certain kind of reaction. This may get easier as we mature. There comes a point in everyone’s life when they get more excited about seeing someone open a gift they are giving than seeing what is in their own holiday package. Even small children get in on the joy of giving gifts when they feel they have found or created something special and unique.

Anyone can become a great gift giver.  It takes only thought and a little imagination to show your gratitude for the person receiving the gift.  Gratitude will ultimately lead to a gift from the heart.