Reduce the Time and Stress of Finding that Perfect Gift
Holiday season is now in full effect, and that means a lot of shopping and gift giving! Maybe you are one of the people who prepares for holiday purchasing long in advance, and are already done with your shopping from taking advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, but if you are like many busy people, you may be scrambling for last minute gifts or you may not have a lot of time to think about what to give each person in your life. There are some easy tricks to reduce the time and headache of finding and purchasing those things!
Gift-giving is not one-size-fits-all. You will likely have very different considerations for the type of gift you plan to give a spouse or child than you would for a coworker or member of your book club. Price can also be a consideration in terms of who gets what kind of gift.
One of the best ways to identify lots of fun gifts is to browse online blogs dedicated to fashion, beauty products, home goods and decorating, cooking, or many other hobbies. Bloggers often do holiday gift-giving guide posts, and will provide direct links to websites where you can purchase the items they suggest. Directly linking to the online site where you can purchase the item also reduces the headache of trying to find a store where that item may be in stock, and you can read reviews and comments about the items to see if it would be a good fit for the intended recipient.
For friends and family members, you will likely know what their interests are, and can purchase gifts that are more specific to those interests. However, it can be difficult to find a gift that matches the person’s interest but that they do not already own or that other people are not also likely to purchase for them. No one wants to have three copies of the same novel, no matter how much they like the book. For this type of situation, you can think of some of a movie, book, or television series that you know you loved one enjoys, then by spending a little time on Google, you can find new products or items that build off of that interest. For example, if you know that someone is a big fan of the Game of Thrones books, you can Google search “other books I would enjoy if I liked Game of Thrones.” There are many blogs that are almost entirely dedicated to writing book reviews and providing suggestions of other books that would pique a similar interest. You can do the same for movies, TV shows, and video or computer games. Many of the suggestions may be lesser known, and could provide the recipient of the gift something totally new for them to try out. This kind of gift will also show that you are attentive to the interests of the person, and thought about something that they personally would like, which can mean a lot in receiving a gift.
For individuals who are fans of items such as beauty products, home goods, fitness equipment, or sports memorabilia, you can utilize sites such as Amazon or eBay to find items they may like. For example, if you know that your friend enjoys doing yoga or fitness routines at home, you can search Amazon for items such as “yoga mat” or “kettle bells,” or anything else that you know they either already own or would want to use. Once you have clicked on that item, use the function across the bottom of the page will suggest other items that are often viewed or purchased by others who like and bought that same item. This will suggest a variety of accessories, books, DVDs, and other items that match up with the person’s interests. And again, if you find the perfect gift this way, ordering is quick and easy because you are already on the website, can see if the item is in stock, and make your purchase.
Finally, don’t count out gift cards or repeat gifts. There is often pressure to always give a new, exciting, or creative item as a gift, but for many recipients of the gift, the gesture of receiving something is more valuable than the actual gift, and they would greatly appreciate getting something that they know they love and will use so they do not have to spend the money on that purchase themselves. Many people truly enjoy the experience of going to a sporting goods store to pick out some new equipment or going to try on clothes, shoes, jewelry, or makeup, and providing them with a gift card that can allow them to have that experience without spending more of their own money is a benefit. If a person regularly goes through items such as pairs of running shoes, or you know that their blender is getting a little worn down, they will likely be thrilled to receive those items as a gift even if you have given them that same gift in the past.
The holiday season can be busy, expensive, and even stressful, but there are ways to help streamline your gift shopping and make things a little easier, while still showing those you care about that you took the time to find a great gift for them.
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