

There are individuals in my life who’re probably the most fantastic present givers—all the time considerate, all the time distinctive, all the time spot-on. I’ve discovered some classes from these family and friends members on how you can be a extremely superb present giver, and I’m sharing them with you in the present day. These gift-giving concepts apply to any event—from holidays to birthdays and each little celebration in between. Right here’s to sharing significant presents with the individuals we love.
5 Methods to Be a Actually Good Present Giver
1. Hear all yr spherical—or begin now!
Folks let you know what they love, and considerate gift-giving begins with listening in these moments. With everybody in my life, I’ve been listening to what they are saying and tuning into what excites them. I maintain an ear out for present concepts all yr spherical so I’m not dashing when the vacations (or birthdays) arrive.
Have they began a brand new passion? Ask the way it’s going and glean inspiration from there. Are they making an enormous transition into retirement or shifting throughout the nation? Hear for methods to assist out, have fun, or honor the milestone. One of the best presents are those that present somebody you discover the little issues they’re loving or pursuing.
2. Acquire present concepts in a single place.
Don’t depend on your self to recollect the concepts you decide up by way of all your listening. Work out a approach to acquire the data and set up it. I primarily use the iPhone Notes app. Joe and I’ve a shared observe with a listing of the birthdays of individuals in our lives. Beneath every identify, I’ll write down thought starters for presents and issues I do know they get pleasure from. I additionally avoid wasting concepts verbally within the Voice Memos app, which is a simple approach to get concepts out of my head within the second so I can revisit them later.
3. Ask for a listing.
If you happen to’re caught, don’t be afraid to ask the individual for a brief checklist of precisely what they need. Some individuals shrink back from being this direct or suppose it takes the magic out of gifting. I feel it’s a wonderfully affordable manner to make sure you’re giving a present that might be used and loved. After I ask for a listing, I discover the gifting expertise simply as satisfying as after I consider present concepts alone. This leads me to my subsequent level…
4. The present doesn’t should be a shock.
Don’t fear about arising with the “excellent” present concept. You don’t should shock them with one thing sudden both! Selecting a present from their want checklist is a superb approach to delight them and get them one thing they really need. I obtained Joe a particular pair of footwear he requested for on his birthday, and his response was as if it was a complete shock. He was so excited!! It jogged my memory that true surprises are overrated typically.
5. Don’t overcompensate.
Be careful for the temptation to overcompensate, particularly whenever you’re undecided what your giftee desires. With regards to gift-giving, we frequently find yourself spending an excessive amount of, which makes everybody uncomfortable. I consider the episode of The Workplace the place Michael gave a video iPod within the group change when the spending restrict was $20.
Usually, sentimental presents imply as a lot (if no more) than pricey objects. For Joe’s birthday this yr, I recorded a video about why I really like him and the children did too. It was a singular approach to seize this second in time and it didn’t value a factor. If overcompensating is a sample of yours, hopefully the concepts on this submit will assist you to keep away from it!
For extra gift-giving inspiration, I’ll be sharing my vacation present information on Wit & Delight this month! Till then, browse last year’s gift guide to get the present concepts flowing.


Kate is the founding father of Wit & Delight. She is presently studying how you can play tennis and is eternally testing the boundaries of her inventive muscle. Observe her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.