Gift Giving Stories And Guidelines

Writen by Rose Ida Taharim

Has this situation ever happens to you?

Situation # 1

Once, I am moving to a new job and my colleague were arranging farewell party for me. During the party, they handed me a gift. It was wrapped beautifully and quite heavy. I wonder what’s inside. Towards the end of the party, they asked me to open the gift. To my surprise, it was a psychology book. A psychology book? Why did on earth they bought me this book? I wouldn’t mind to receive book as a gift, but why psychology book. My boss seemed to know what was on my mind. He asked, “Why do you get a psychology book for her?” And the answer was, while discussing with one of my colleague sometimes ago, she found out that I liked psychology. Yes, I did like that subject but at least get me on more interesting title, not the one with basic …….. Well, what can I say?

Situation # 2

Last 2004, a friend of mine Suzie, assembled at her aunt’s to exchange Christmas gifts. Her uncle was over 65 years. On this occasion he turned to his sister and said out of the blue: “Here, have you seen this magazine on golf? I’ve been getting this magazine all year and I can’t imagine why – I have no interest in golf. Would you like it?” He tossed the issue back on the table, quite baffled by the magazine and its appearance in his mailbox very month. Suzie’s cousin shot out of the room. She then, found him in the kitchen breaking up with laughter. “It was my present to him last year:” he said, laughing through his hurt and loving his uncle anyway.

Situation # 3

Once, my friend Frank forgot to buy a present for his girlfriend. It was Christmas Eve. He went to his mom in dismay. “Oh, not to worry,” his mom said, throwing open her wardrobe door. “Look, I have a half a dozen bottles of perfume. You know I never wear perfume, but people keep giving it to me. Here, choose which one that suits her and take it. I don’t want them.” And, could you guess what Frank had bought for his mom that year?

And much more situations that are sometimes are painful, ashamed and above of all are enjoyable.

It happens all the time, the misreading of the meaning of a gift. What are we saying and what are we hearing? Giving a gift should be an easy exchange. Instead, it becomes an ordeal. Or is it simply hard to please someone? Might be, just our attitude that doesn’t bother whether the person like the gift or not. We have done our duty by buying and giving the gift.

Choosing gifts can be very tedious, especially if you do not have any idea what the other person would like to receive. For some people to some extent won’t give a gift at all, just because they’re afraid it will be rejected. Some people tend to give what they themselves want.

But, there are people that go through the gift giving problem by doing a little research. Try to look for clues when speaking to the person. Usually there’ll be something that he/she needs. You can try to find out from his/her family or when you both go shopping together. For men especially, they are good at divulging their needs. From here, you will be able to plan what gift to buy.

One of the secrets of giving gifts is to know the personality of the person who will receive the gift. In this way, you will be able to think of some gift ideas that will suit the personality of the person who will receive the gift.

There are also others that often gamble, especially those who like doing last minute shopping. You will tend to buy something that you yourself fancy without really considering the other person’s taste.

Of course, taste is not really the issue here. Buying gifts require lots of imagination. Do your research and look for creative, unique, personalized and uncommon gifts. Ideally, gifts should not be bought just for a person’s need, but also for his enjoyment, enrichment and well-being. And, the person that received the gift somehow or rather knew that a lot of thought had gone into that selection of gift and it is not a last minute decision.

Rose Taharim is the web master of My1StopOnline.com, a website totally dedicated to gift giving ideas. For more articles and information, please find out more at http://www.My1StopOnline.com.