

There are folks in my life who’re essentially the most fantastic present givers—at all times considerate, at all times distinctive, at all times spot-on. I’ve discovered some classes from these family and friends members on how one can be a extremely great gift giver, and I’m sharing them with you as we speak. These gift-giving concepts apply to any event—from holidays to birthdays and each little celebration in between. Right here’s to sharing significant items with the folks we love.
5 Methods to Be a Actually Good Reward Giver
1. Pay attention all yr spherical—or begin now!
Folks inform you what they love, and considerate gift-giving begins with listening in these moments. With everybody in my life, I’ve been listening to what they are saying and tuning into what excites them. I preserve an ear out for present concepts all yr spherical so I’m not speeding when the vacations (or birthdays) arrive.
Have they began a brand new interest? Ask the way it’s going and glean inspiration from there. Are they making an enormous transition into retirement or shifting throughout the nation? Pay attention for methods to assist out, have a good time, or honor the milestone. One of the best items are those that present somebody you discover the little issues they’re loving or pursuing.
2. Accumulate present concepts in a single place.
Don’t depend on your self to recollect the concepts you choose up by means of all your listening. Determine a technique to accumulate the data and arrange it. I primarily use the iPhone Notes app. Joe and I’ve a shared notice with a listing of the birthdays of individuals in our lives. Beneath every identify, I’ll write down thought starters for items and issues I do know they take pleasure in. I additionally avoid wasting concepts verbally within the Voice Memos app, which is a simple technique to get concepts out of my head within the second so I can revisit them later.
3. Ask for a listing.
In the event you’re caught, don’t be afraid to ask the individual for a brief record of precisely what they need. Some folks shrink back from being this direct or suppose it takes the magic out of gifting. I feel it’s a wonderfully affordable means to make sure you’re giving a present that will likely be used and loved. After I ask for a listing, I discover the gifting expertise simply as gratifying as once I consider present concepts alone. This leads me to my subsequent level…
4. The present doesn’t must be a shock.
Don’t fear about arising with the “excellent” present thought. You don’t must shock them with one thing sudden both! Selecting a present from their want record is an excellent technique to delight them and get them one thing they actually need. I received Joe a particular pair of footwear he requested for on his birthday, and his response was as if it was a complete shock. He was so excited!! It jogged my memory that true surprises are overrated generally.
5. Don’t overcompensate.
Be careful for the temptation to overcompensate, particularly once you’re unsure what your giftee needs. With regards to gift-giving, we frequently find yourself spending an excessive amount of, which makes everybody uncomfortable. I consider the episode of The Workplace the place Michael gave a video iPod within the group trade when the spending restrict was $20.
Typically, sentimental items imply as a lot (if no more) than expensive gadgets. For Joe’s birthday this yr, I recorded a video about why I really like him and the youngsters did too. It was a novel technique to seize this second in time and it didn’t value a factor. If overcompensating is a sample of yours, hopefully the concepts on this submit will aid you keep away from it!
For extra gift-giving inspiration, I’ll be sharing my vacation present information on Wit & Delight this month! Till then, browse final yr’s present information to get the present concepts flowing.


Kate is the founding father of Wit & Delight. She is at present studying how one can play tennis and is endlessly testing the boundaries of her artistic muscle. Observe her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.