The Thought and a Little More Counts

Sometimes owing to financial constraints, it is tempting to buy inexpensive gifts, but then you run the risk of looking cheap. Focus more on personalising gifts rather than how much it costs. Also finding gift ideas on social media is a good idea. If you are stumped for gift ideas for someone, consider taking a scroll through Instagram or Facebook. You can even follow your friends or family to see what they like. Pinterest is a gold mine for this type of information. 

Money is not the only thing to consider when choosing a gift for friends and family. Gifting is an art and there are several things that need to be kept in mind if you want to give a gift that stays on with the recipient for posterity.

This one is common knowledge. While choosing a gift it makes sense to value practicality over desirability. "After all in this era of minimalism, many people are streamlining their lives, and as a result, they are ditching stuff for stuff's sake," says Ritika Bhanot, who owns a gift shop in Gurgaon. "You should consider what the gift recipient will do with the item once you have given it to them. Will it sit on a shelf and gather dust or take up space in an already-cramped closet? If so, opt for something the recipient will find useful or that solves a problem for them. This is especially true for people who receive a lot of thank you gifts, like teachers and doctors." she shares.

One should also prioritize personalization over cost.

The simplest gift is a million times more meaningful when it is personalized to the recipient's interests.

Personalized gifts show the recipient that you care about them. "If your recipient loves journals, you can elevate a regular spiral notebook by giving them a notebook with a quote from their favourite TV show. Stickers representing their favourite movies can be added to any object as well. So feel free to opt for something that seems simple or every day, and make it personal by keeping their interests in mind," says Mala Sharma who stays in Philadelphia and often couriers personalised gifts to her family and childhood friends in Assam.

"It makes sense to take out time to make a homemade gift, or buy something that reminds the receiver of a favorite memory, like for instance a trip that you took together in college," says Mala.

Reiterating the need for personalising gifts, Ritika says, "Sometimes owing to financial constraints, it's tempting to buy inexpensive gifts, but then you run the risk of looking cheap. Therefore focus more on personalising gifts (to save a few bucks) rather than how much it costs. By doing this, you will be able to give a memorable gift that will make someone feel special and cherished."

Finding gift ideas on social media is a good idea. "If you are stumped for gift ideas for someone, consider taking a scroll through Instagram or Facebook. You can even follow your friends or family to see what they like. Pinterest is a gold mine for this type of information! Check if they have a 'Wish List' board, or get a sense of their taste in clothing by checking out what clothing items they have pinned," says Mala.

Agreeing to this vein of thought, Ritika says, "You can also learn more about their (the recipient's) hobbies and interests based on who they follow and what they like on social media." She goes on to add, "It is also imperative to keep the recipient's social values in mind."

Ritika says that according to recent market/retail surveys (conducted in sample markets across the world) a whopping 75% of people report that a company's social values determine whether or not they will continue shopping with them, a trend referred to as conscious consumerism. In other words, consumers care about a company's dedication to sustainability and equality in particular, and are willing to pay a little more to support companies that align with their personal values. This probably explains why people endorse brands that are eco-friendly etc.

"To show the gift recipient how well you know them and how much you care, shop with their values in mind. If they are dedicated to shop local, buy their birthday gift from a local shop. If they are concerned about sustainability, purchase their Diwali gift from a company with a commitment to a low carbon footprint. The recipient will appreciate your dedication to their values and appreciate the gift all the more," elaborates Ritika.

At the end of the day everyone loves to receive a gift, irrespective of their disposition and chronological age. Alluding to another pertinent (but often overlooked) nuance of gifting, Mala says, "If you choose to donate to a charity in someone's name as a gift, do not leave them empty-handed on the big day. Gift a small, inexpensive gift like a tote bag or and put the certification of donation from the charity with it," she observes.

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