It’s that time of the year again when you are on the hunt for that perfect gift for the special someone in your life. You want to buy a gift you know the recipient is going to love, use and appreciate. So before you jump headfirst into buying them that present, here are six things you should consider.
What’s the occasion?
The first thing to think about is the occasion; is it for an anniversary, birthday, religious holiday, wedding or another special day? Some of these occasions you may feel obligated to buy a gift but don’t rush into making your choice, you don’t want to waste your money on something they may dislike.
Who are you buying for?
One mistake you could make when it comes to buying that perfect gift is buying one because you would like to receive it. Ask yourself: ‘who am I buying this for?’ While you would be over the moon to receive a particular gift, it doesn’t mean they would. Try not to overestimate how well you know someone or how similar you think you both are.
Listen to them in the run up to the occasion
If you find a gift you think is perfect for someone, consider if it is actually something they need or want. Have they dropped any hints in past conversations about it? They may have not mentioned it anywhere near that special occasion, so make a note of it and come back to it when you are ready to buy. If you find something you think is perfect, but they haven’t mentioned wanting it, it might be worth asking them what they think of it in a general conversation to gauge their reaction.
Consider your budget
When it comes to buying a gift, budget is perhaps one of the most important aspects. According to a YouGov report, nine in ten Brits say they celebrate with gifts at Christmas with 42% having a budget between £100 and £400 – 14% said they spent nothing and 4% spent over £1,000. If you are unsure about how much to spend on someone, think about what they have bought you in the past. If it is for an occasion where you will both exchange gifts, ask them what their budget is for you.
Buy quality not quantity
Investing in quality is pivotal when it comes to purchasing a gift; you don’t want to spend money on something that is only going to break a week later. Once you have got your budget, invest in something which can stand the test of time like a luxury watch or a designer handbag. Imagine that they will still be using it for at least five years down the line and aim for that.
Find something useful
You have your recipient, the occasion, the budget and are now ready to go and find the perfect gift now it’s time to think useful. If it’s something that could help them with their day-to-day activities – and you know they will use it most days – that will be a better investment than something that could be seen as a fad or unhelpful.
Consider these six things before buying any gift – no matter the occasion – and enjoy their reaction when they remove that wrapping paper and see what you’ve chosen for them.
