Whether it’s a birthday or a baby shower, a wedding anniversary or a retirement party, choosing the right gift for those you care about is rarely easy.
Thankfully, applying a little psychology to the process can make things a good deal easier. Finding the best possible gift doesn’t always require a huge financial commitment. By working out what it is that a person really wants and why a particular gift will appeal to them, you can ensure it goes down well even if you spend only a small amount.
Make a list
The best starting point is to make a list of all the things that your giftee is interested in. Take your time and think back over all the things the person has done and most enjoyed. Once the list is complete, go back over it and think about gifts that would be of interest to someone who loves those particular activities and experiences.
It’s important not to hold back at this stage – let your imagination go wild. The idea is not to purchase all or even any of the gifts that you list during the process, as the idea is to brainstorm through the recipient’s interest and come up with some fresh new ideas. The final stage of the process is to go back over your list and see whether you can combine or adapt any of the ideas into something that would be suitable. You will be amazed at what you come up with – and so will the person you are buying the gift for.
Unusual gifts
If you have tried and failed to think outside the box, try thinking outside the solar system. Buying a highly unusual item that will provide resonance for many years to come is a great way to ensure your gift has an enormous impact.
One such possibility is to buy the naming rights to a star. Visible from anywhere on earth all throughout the year with exact instructions on how to find the specific star, this is truly a gift that is out of this world. Simply visit a site such as Star Registration and learn how to buy a star in just a few clicks of your mouse. If the recipient is the sort of person that likes to follow their horoscope, you can make the gift even more special by choosing a star that forms part of their zodiac constellation.
Homemade gifts
One way to make a gift extra special and ensure it has a truly personal touch is to make it yourself. Taking the time and trouble to put something together that means something to the recipient often means far more than spending large sums of money.
If you don’t want to make the entire gift, consider making the card that accompanies the gift as this doesn’t take too much in the way of time or effort, but is bound to be appreciated and is likely to be retained as a special memento for many years to come.