by Mary Vogt
No matter the gift, we are all bound to appreciate it greatly. After all, someone spent their hard-earned money and time to get it for us. When the gift is personal to us, it is even more special. How can we, as gift-givers, ensure that we are gifting meaningfully? It’s easier than you think.
Why People Like Meaningful Gifts
Why do people like, and prefer, meaningful gifts in the first place? Well, they want something that makes them feel loved and they find joy in knowing that someone really put in an effort for them. Let’s be honest: a meaningful gift feeds the ego, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! In case you are not sure what it means to gift meaningfully, follow these five simple steps.
- Listen To Them
According to a study conducted by the Stanford University School of Business, it is always a good idea to listen to a person before making a rash decision on a gift. So, keep your ears open and show a vested interest in what your recipient does with their free time, what they like, and even what they dislike. That way, you can give them something that encapsulates exactly who they are as a person. Also, it shows you have been listening, and you care.
2. Make It An Experience
The times have changed, and more people are valuing real-life experiences over tangible items. In fact, according to a study from Expedia and the Center for Generational Kinetics, approximately 74 percent of Americans prioritize experiences over things. The great part about gifting an experience is that you can do it on any budget; it could be as simple as a dinner picnic at the beach during sunset, or a whirlwind tour of a foreign country. Whatever the experience may be, it is sure to be memorable.
3. Be Personal
This one sort of goes hand in hand with listening to your recipient, but is equally important; albeit it, a bit obvious. Gifting something that is a nod to your personal relationship with someone, or including any small details that show you have been paying attention are the key to a person’s heart and soul.
4. Homemade Goes A Long Way
Remember when you would make your mother a macaroni necklace in school, and you would bring it home? Remember how happy and overjoyed she was over such a simple thing? Well, that’s because you made it by hand. There are several reasons why handmade gifts reign supreme: they are made with love, they show time and dedication, and they are one-of-a-kind. Whether it’s a hand-painted picture or a beaded bracelet, your recipient is sure to love it more than diamond jewelry or a brand new car.
5. Action Speaks The Loudest
Some say you can’t give gestures as gifts, and we say they are wrong! Assembling your significant other’s IKEA furniture, or painting their bedroom wall because they’re too busy can be gifts (even though seem more like favors). Actions speak louder than words, and doing something to help someone in a time of need might just be the greatest gift of all.
It is important to show the ones we care about that we have been paying attention, and consider their every word when we buy them gifts. This says more than the act of gifting itself; it shows our love and deep understanding of the recipient.
