YOU MAY HAVE THE GIFT…OF GIVING
Sweater season is upon us, which means the end of the calendar year is approaching — and our lives will be filled with parties, delicious food and GIFT GIVING through the holiday months.
Gifts to teachers. Gifts to clients. Gifts to family. Gifts to friends. And even some “I love me” gifts. But are you a good gift giver?
When it comes to choosing the right present for a special occasion, we all know it's not how much we give but how much love we put into the giving. Despite knowing this, the art of picking the right present doesn’t always come naturally.
If this is the year you want to make a change and feel satisfied you picked the right gift for the right person at work or at home, then read on. These three hacks will make gift-giving much easier
Personalization. This takes more thought and advance planning than giving a plain gift. When receiving a personalized gift people feel that the person who gave it to them put a lot of thought into the gift, and that it was meant for them to feel special. Personalization makes gifts more special and one of a kind.
Practical. When gifting to the person who has everything think about everyday useful items. The idea is to still make them feel special so pay attention to– hobbies, daily activities, favorite colors – and gift something unique to their interests.
Time. It’s our most precious commodities in a society where we never have enough and it’s always slipping away too fast. Being busy has become a social badge of honor. When was the last time you asked someone how they were and they didn’t say ,“I’m so busy”? It’s as if busyness has become synonymous with importance. But, the work-life conundrum is legitimately tough to navigate and especially during the holidays there is frequently too much to do and too little time in which to do it. Here are five ways to make the gift of time tangible:
a. Fitbit or health tracking device. Better health leads to more years of life, so this gift is as tangible as it gets
b. Yoga classes. Fostering presence and mindfulness through a practice like yoga can help extend time and encourage us to be more appreciative
c. Delivery services. Give the gift of Amazon Prime membership, meal delivery, dry cleaning, car wash, or house cleaning services in order to save time on more mundane tasks
d. Restaurant or concert gift certificates. Give the gift of time together and connection, with gift certificates for meals or an experience with friends
e. Babysitting. This can be for kids, pets or taking in the mail for someone who travels a lot
Showing gratitude is valuable way to improve relationships with everyone in your life.
A “thank you” text takes 10 seconds, a “thank you” email takes 2 minutes, and a hand-written card takes 5 minutes. Make these actions a habit.
Hand-written Thank You Cards. When was the last time you received a handwritten thank you note? The thank you note is becoming a lost art and stands out like a neon sign – which makes it highly valuable and memorable. Whether you’re sending a holiday card, gratitude for a gift, or appreciation for a job interview – here are three tips:
Stationary. Invest in some personalized stationery on quality paper. (bonus, this can be a wonderful personalized present to gift). Stationary is a reflection of your personal brand, so make sure it’s “on brand”
Handwriting. Some people use the excuse that their handwriting is unattractive or just plain illegible. It doesn’t matter. People do not judge you by your handwriting; but by your personal effort.
Formula. There five simple areas of a “thank you” card: name, acknowledgement of the git, mention how it will be used or remembered, thank them again, closing signature
The thoughtful family member or polished professional does not hesitate to do all that it takes to show gratitude or impress a client or colleague. Attention to basic etiquette can go a long way toward building your image and enhancing your relationships. Cheers!