Most of us get Facebook notifications of birthdays, or even have the dates marked on our calendars for the people closest to us. If you are the gift-giving type, sometimes you may find yourself stuck on what to get someone. 

I believe in giving gifts, it’s something I have come to enjoy. It’s not always easy getting a gift for someone, for whatever occasion, and the idea that the person may not like your gift is upsetting. Here are a few things to consider when buying gifts.

Don’t overspend. The idea is to celebrate someone. Don’t borrow money just to impress. What makes a gift great is not how expensive it is, but how meaningful. The fact that you thought about them means a lot. A card with a nice message is also great. 

Know what someone’s interests are. When you do your research well, you can’t go wrong. Someone who likes reading will appreciate a great book. Others love clothes or fashion accessories, and so forth. Know someone’s size before making a purchase. Things like perfume or jewellery are tricky as you need to know someone’s taste. Some people prefer subtle scents and others love strong ones. Some don’t use perfume at all. 

Consider age. Gifting kids with toys or cake is thrilling, but flowers not so much. But if you give an adult flowers, they’ll be appreciated.  

Packaging matters. Don’t just rush into a shop or supermarket and buy a gift and put it in an envelope. Package it well so that the recipient feels the value. When you buy a present, think of a gift bag or wrapping paper. Many gift shops even wrap it for you. 

Remove price tags. The recipient doesn’t need to know how much the gift cost. What makes it special is the time and thought put into it, not the price. 

Check if someone doesn’t already have that specific thing. It’s a bit awkward to ask someone, but it helps. You don’t want to buy someone something they already have. 

Consider the occasion. Gifts should be bought based on the occasion. Baby clothes would be much appreciated on a baby shower, cake on a birthday, house decor on a wedding, and so forth. 

Consider the relationship. Before you buy a gift, is the relationship work-related or personal? You can’t give your employer a personal gift. Stationary items would best suit them. Giving lingerie to a colleague you’re not even close to is just off. If you’re dating or married, that is okay, so avoid sending the wrong signals. 

Quality is key. It’s important to consider quality when buying a gift. Great quality will last longer.