The Science of Gifting
Recently, my niece asked me, “Are you still looking for those ‘Crocs’ slippers? I can gift you that for your birthday.”
I was pleased that she did remember what I was looking for — and I had mentioned this quite a few months back.
Most often when we ask people what they would like as a gift, they would say, “…nothing...”
If you really listen to people when you have very normal day-to-day conversations, you will be able to tell what they would love as gifts.
· I wish I could buy that….
· I’d love to have this at my table….
· Wouldn’t that look great on my lounge wall….
· I have been wanting to buy this from such a long time but somehow my budget does not permit…
· I so wanted a mirror for my room…
Cues are many — you just must pick them up.
How?
· Listen with attention
· If you cannot remember, make notes on what people have mentioned during conversations
· Don’t always reciprocate — be proactive
· Don’t assess what you received — give what you wish to give
· Be caring rather than judgmental
· Keep to your budget — you do not give ‘same-budget gifts’ to all, do you?
Mother Teresa: It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.
And I would say — Only if we love we can put thought into gifting.
