Things You'll Need:
- Time to think
- Gift wrapping or a gift bag
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Step 1
Take your time. “Don’t get in a hurry” is good advice for most undertakings, but it’s especially important to giving a great gift. Waiting until the last minute is the absolute worst thing you can do when giving a gift.
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Step 2
Think about the person who will receive the gift. What do they like to do? What is their idea of fun? What colors have you seen them wear? What colors are in their home? What is their style? What kind of books do they read? Always bear in mind that the gift is for the receiver, not the giver. Try to match their tastes and interests.
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Step 3
If you don’t know the person well, enlist the aid of their friends, family or coworkers. A quick call to the boss’s husband can yield a lot of information. Always state your business at the beginning of such a call, “I work with Laura, and I’d like to get her something for her birthday. Do you have any suggestions?” Maybe she hates classical music or collects orchids. Her friends and family are sure to know. Others in the office may also know her and her preferences better than you.
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Step 4
Decide what you want to spend. Setting a budget will narrow the possibilities. There is no shame in staying within your means. A small, thoughtful gift is likely to be appreciated more than an expensive one chosen without thought.
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Step 5
Make a decision and sleep on it. If it still seems like the right thing, it probably is.
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Step 6
Buy the gift and get with a gift receipt. Gift receipts do not disclose the amount of money spent while allowing the receiver the option of replacing the gift with one she really wants.
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Step 7
Present the present. If you can’t wrap a gift nicely, have it wrapped at the store or enlist the help of a friend. Gift sacks are an easy way to make a gift beautiful and they don’t require a lot of skill
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Step 8
The thought really is what counts, and if you put thought into the gift-giving at the start, you’ll most likely see success.
