5 practical tips for choosing a gift
Joyful surprise, lively interest, sincere gratitude, undisguised triumph of possession and, as a result, the continuation of good relations – we notice a chain reaction to a gift as soon as we hand it to the recipient. But this is if you are pleased with the present. When the victim of a surprise sourly tries to squeeze out: "Thank you!", when silence hung in the guest ranks, and then a whisper rustled, when the toastmaster, defusing the atmosphere, talks nonsense – the gift trick, alas, failed. The only thing worse is the package that remained completely unnoticed, the contents of which ended up in a dusty pantry, and disappeared altogether with the first general cleaning. The advice of experienced donors will help you avoid annoying mistakes.
1. Do not delay the purchase of a gift on the last day
Even if you were called yesterday, and today the ball broke out, where you should be with gifts – this is not a reason to rush to the nearest store and grab whatever came to hand. In case of force majeure invitations, a gift voucher helps out. We stock up on something neutral, which is not tied to gender, age, ranks, and titles that are guaranteed to be necessary, but do not invade personal space.
Elite tableware is good in this regard: the place will not stand, the price does not fall, it does not lose relevance, they give it to anyone and anytime. It is not necessary to buy a service for 12 people for the future. A tea pair or a patterned cup holder is enough.
Gift pens and any good office will serve a good purpose. If funds are available, a pen from the collection of a well–known brand or an exclusive leather-bound diary. In the economy version, high-quality works of the souvenir mass market will do, among them there are many fresh, uncomplicated finds.
Such a reserve is collected unobtrusively, at an opportunity. We saw something in the window that struck the imagination - that's the reason to buy. Sooner or later, the recipient will show up for a sincere gift.
As for the planned presentations, all the cards are in your hands. Be puzzled by the choice of a gift at least a couple of months in advance. This is enough time to check the prices in shopping malls and browse through the catalogs of online stores, where gifts for anniversaries, weddings, housewarming, calendar holidays are placed in separate categories. Yes, you will have to spend time, but you will really be able to give attention, and not rush to leave the queue.
2. No further escape, no closer approach
Before looking for a suitable gift, you should determine the distance to which it is permissible to approach in a rush to make happy. What will the boss think if you suddenly give him something in excess of your salary or, conversely, a cheerful pea tie bought at a sale? Are you sure that the husband of a pretty, but very superficially familiar colleague will approve of the perfume you have chosen for her?
There are legislative norms that regard the offerings of a private person to an official as a bribe. There are rules of etiquette that have been established for centuries, prohibiting giving clothes, shoes, cosmetics, personal hygiene items, etc. to everyone with whom you are not closely related. If you really want to please with a purely personal one, there is an excellent loophole – a gift to hand. An elite desk set for the head will not cause any complaints if given from the team and for a serious reason. As well as perfumes bought by the joint efforts of the inhabitants of a friendly office will not arouse jealous suspicions.
Other rules apply in relations with relatives and close friends. That's where, God forbid, to follow fashion, etiquette norms and any impersonal rules! Intimacy entitles you to the most intimate gifts, but it does not forgive stamps, official stuff and those very duty blanks from NZ, which are always at hand just in case.
3. Don't add to the hassle
Do you remember the woman whose life became unnecessarily troublesome after buying poros? At least she made it difficult for herself. But if you inadvertently stuck a table lamp, which is absolutely not suitable for the repair you have just done, or through your efforts, a friend wandering around removable corners suddenly became the owner of a grandiose grandfather clock and a large-format painting on gold leaf… It's generous, flattering, from the bottom of my heart. But still, do not be offended when you find out that the gift was sold, and with the proceeds you bought something more necessary in the household.
With gift kittens, puppies are even more difficult. A living being is not a toy. He needs care and a friend who won't betray him by taking him to a shelter or throwing him out on the street. So don't take any chances if you don't know for sure that you are ready to get a pet.
4. Don't break traditions
Religion, folk customs, family or official way of life should be revered sacredly. Giving icons to atheists is blasphemous, presenting an Orthodox person with a money tree or toad recommended by the teachings of Feng Shui is stupid, handing a Muslim a weapon in a pigskin sheath or an author's figurine with a dog symbol of the year is insulting. It is unacceptable to give alcohol and drinking accessories where prohibition is established. It is strictly forbidden to bring interior decoration with exaggerated elements of eroticism to a family with young children.
5. Do not get into the wrong sleigh
When choosing a gift, you need to remain yourself. Not to impose your tastes and preferences on someone, but also not to try to play someone else's role. There is no money for an expensive gift – buy according to the possibilities. Even for a VIP, there is a noble, but not expensive souvenir, like hand-painted Christmas balls: their cost sometimes fits into a thousand rubles. But attempts to demonstrate imaginary prosperity look just as ridiculous as penny trinkets, which are lavished on business partners by tight-fisted scrooge.
See also
Gifts up to 10,000 rubles - we understand the choice.
