Tips To Be A Better Gift Giver

By Brian Maynor

 

Gift Giving Is A Holiday Tradition, And To Some Degree Obligation, That Causes A Lot Of Stress And Anxiety.

What Do You Get A Colleague You Barely Know?  How Much Do You Spend On A Friend Without Making Them Feel Awkward?  What Is Appropriate To Give Your Boss?

Aside From The Decisions You Have To Make, There Is Also The Internal Pressure Of Appearing Thoughtful, Genuine And Let’s Be Honest, An Amazing Gift Giver.  No One Wants To Give Or Receive A Lackluster, Generic Gift That Was Chosen With Little Or No Thought At All, But That Doesn’t Mean We Have To Spend Hours, Days Or Even Weeks Agonizing Over The ‘Perfect’ Gift.

While It Does Take Some Thought And Investment, Becoming A Better Gift Giver Is Actually Easier Than You Might Think.  Here Are Some Of My Favorite Tips:

1.    Pick A Theme.  With Options Galore, Trying To Hone In On The Ideal Gift Right Off The Bat Is Overwhelming And Futile, So I Always Start By Choosing A Gift Theme.  This Alone Will Take Some Time, But I’m Fond Of Gifts That Are Disposable Or Practical; Sentimental Or Personalized, Or Focus On A Single Topic Like Travel, Food, Wine Or Experiences.  Once You Have A Theme In Place You Can Choose To Use This For One Person Or For Everyone On Your List.  My Recommendation Is The Latter.

2.    More Is Better.  While This Isn’t Always The Case, In Gift Giving It’s A Pretty Safe Bet.  While It Is Tempting To Pick Just One Big Gift, Opting For A Bunch Of Small To Medium-Sized Gifts Not Only Extends The Fun Of Unwrapping, You Don’t Have The Pressure Of Needing That One Perfect Gift.  Smaller Gifts Also Let You Flex Your Creative Muscles And Create A Truly One-Of-A-Kind Gift Giving Experience.

3.    Focus On The Person, Not The Price.  While I’m All For Setting A Budget, This Tip Really Focuses On The Fact That Just Because Something Is Inexpensive Doesn’t Mean It Isn’t Valuable, Especially When You Have Focused On The Person You’re Giving It To.  Truly Thoughtful And Memorable Gifts Are The Ones That Have A Connection To The Person, Whether It Is Their Childhood, Favorite Hobbies, Or Just A Shared Memory.

4.    Create A Story.  This Tip Really Is Just An Extension Of The Theme Once You Have The Specific Gifts Picked Out.  When You Look At Them Collectively, What Story Do They Tell?  You Can Use It Simply As Small Talk When Presenting The Gifts, Or You Could Incorporate The Story More Formally By Including It In A Personal Note.

5.    Don’t Skimp On The Wrapping.  It Amazes Me How Many People Don’t Give A Second Thought To How They Package A Gift.  Yes The Packaging Is Temporary, But Think About When You Receive A Package In The Mail.  Do You Feel Differently When It Comes In A Nice Box With Coordinated Tissue Paper And Note Card Than You Do When It’s Just In A Plastic, Nondescript Bag?  Of Course You Do.  Packaging Heightens The Experience You’re Creating, And Preferably Should Reinforce The Theme Of The Gift.

Being A Great Gift Giver Doesn’t Mean Just Buying Expensive Presents.  It Means You Put Thought And Feeling Into Creating A Special, Authentic Connection With Another Person, And There’s No Price Tag On That.

 

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I am always curious to hear some of your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and challenges. Please send your comments and questions to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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