“Help! I’m Terrible at Giving Gifts.”
A cheatsheet to make gift-giving a little easier.
When it comes to gift giving, does it ever feel like you have to fit in the category of “expert gift-giver” or “failing miserably?” I know it can feel that black and white to me. I see the personally curated gift baskets on social media and feel like I missed the mark. Whether it’s time, finances, or the natural gift-giving ability, it can easily seem like there is a tool I am lacking. If you’ve ever felt that way too, this is for you. This is my helpline for those who feel that they don’t give good gifts and the cheat sheet for how to make it simpler.
1. Have gifts on hand.
If going out and searching for gifts feels like a daunting task, you might be blessed by creating a small gift inventory at home. Pick a basket or a shelf to dedicate to thoughtful gifts you find along the way. If I find a new toy for one of my boys, I grab an extra for the gift shelf, knowing I will know a new mom in the coming months. How about that new candle scent you fall for, but don’t have a spot for? Grab it for the gift shelf. Having locally sourced gifts on hand can take some of the pressure off when the opportunity arrives to give a gift. You can even keep this shelf stocked with cards, tissue, wrapping paper, and ribbon, so it can be a one-stop shop for gift-giving at home.
2. Gift a favorite.
If a product you use is your favorite, it could easily become someone else’s favorite too. When I find myself using a product and consistently enjoying it, I make sure to share it with someone I love. A go-to coffee blend by Methodical could pair well with your favorite book that you’ve read so far this year. The nail polish color you can’t get enough of could be your best friend’s next go-to polish. If you’ve got a favorite, don’t be shy to gift it. I bet your friend will love it too (& bonus points: you will think of each other whenever you use it)!
3. Make something.
Sometimes the best gift is handmade. You don’t have to be a super creative or artsy, but the fact that you took time to make something for someone goes a long way. You can draw a picture and put it in a frame. IMHO, I think the more naive the drawing is, the more smiles it brings. If you like cooking, gift a jar of jam, pickles, or granola. If you really feel like you can’t do any of those, write a poem or a set of lyrics that speaks into that friend’s life along with a bouquet of flowers. These handmade momentos mark time and relationships like no other.
4. Choose a theme.
This maybe my favorite go-to gift-giving tip. Choose a theme. Let’s say, at the end of the school year, you need a gift for teachers. You can do a summer theme since it’s summer break — a beach towel, reusable cup, and gas money for get-away. Or you can just give a just-because gift to a family and do movie night theme. Have a basket filled with popcorn, cozy socks, your favorite DVD (if that’s still a thing.) Or my favorite kind of theme is choosing a color, and everything in that gift basket is the same tone of color. If you look at curated gift box companies, that’s a common method they use, and it always looks so pretty!
5. Stock up on trips.
There’s something about being in a new environment that gets my creative juices flowing. When I am on a weekend getaway, I am drawn to all the new products I see. I notice the embroidered hat in a coffee shop that I know someone would rock, the leather-bound journals with pages to be filled, and the locally-made pottery that is screaming to be bought for someone to fill with a hot cup of coffee. I love to utilize the creative jolt I get from trips to stock up on unique goods that will later make special gifts. Plus, these gifts come with stories of where they came from!
6. Opt for an experience.
If you ask me, a simple experience gift often goes overlooked. If strolling through aisles of goods feels overwhelming, gifting a simple experience can be a thoughtful gift-giving option, while eliminating all the physical good stress. Next time you’re out for coffee, grab a gift card to gift a friend with a coffee date later on. If you try a new restaurant you love, grab a gift certificate on the way out to treat a couple to dinner. For the mom who needs some help, offer to do a grocery drop-off during a busy week. These gifts are blessings without a bow on them.
This 6-step cheat sheet is just the beginning of finding new ways to breathe life into the challenge of gifting intentionally and practically. These simple steps can make gift-giving feel easier (& hopefully even sweeter).