Things to Avoid When Choosing a Gift

Giving Gifts is an Art

Giving gifts is an art. Though fun and exciting, the process can be hard to get right if you want to make a good impression. It is simple to make mistakes when picking out a gift that does not meet the needs. Here is a list of things you should not do when choosing a gift to make sure it’s thoughtful, useful, and valued.

Not Caring About What the Recipient Wants

When picking out a gift, one of the biggest mistakes people make is forgetting to think about what the receiver would like. It can feel cold to give someone a gift that doesn’t fit with their interests or way of life. Remember these things:

• Find out what they like: Think about getting them a book or e-book membership if they like to read (Gift guide ideas).
• Think about their interests: A new set of workout clothes might be a good choice if they’re into exercise.

It can look careless to ignore someone’s likes. Making the gift fit their hobbies shows that you care and took the time to do it.

Ignoring What’s Useful

It’s not just fun to give gifts; they should also be helpful. The gift might be cute, but if the recipient will never use it, it will just sit there and gather dust.

Before you buy a gift, ask yourself:

• Are they going to use it? You should think of gifts that they can use every day.
• Does it actually work? It doesn’t matter if the gift is fun; it should be useful. Instead of something that will just sit on a shelf, think about something useful like a smart device, a portable charger, or a cozy sweater (Amazon gift guide).

A useful gift is one that will be used and enjoyed for a long time.

Picking the Least Expensive Option

It’s normal to want to save money, but picking the cheapest gift can seem not very thoughtful. A thoughtful gift doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, but it’s always better to go the extra mile and get something special than to grab the cheapest thing that looks good.

Quality is more important than number. Pick something that has good reviews or a name that you know you can trust.

Think about events instead of things. Spending time with someone can be more valuable than a thing.

A small, well-made gift will show that you thought about what to get them.

Getting a Personal Item Too Soon

When you know someone well, it can be tempting to buy them a very personal gift. But there are times when it goes too far. Giving personal gifts like perfume or clothes can be nice, but if the relationship is still new, they might be too much.

When picking out gifts, especially for people you just met, work with, or are getting to know, keep these things in mind:

• If you’re not sure what they like, don’t give them gifts that are too personal, like clothes, makeup, or perfume.
• It’s better to give neutral gifts like books, gift cards, or tools.

When giving someone a gift that might seem too much, especially if you don’t know them well, be careful.

Not Paying Attention to the Presentation

You should give the gift itself, but how you show it is also very important. No matter how nice the gift is, if it’s given in a box that was thrown together quickly or without much thought, it may not seem as valuable.

You can do the following:

• Take care of it: It’s important to present well. It can feel more special if the gift is wrapped or put in a gift bag.
• Add a unique note. A card with a note from the heart can make even the simplest gift more special.

A gift that is well-wrapped shows that you care about both the person receiving it and the act of giving it.

Not Thinking About the Situation

When you give a gift is important. If the gift doesn’t fit the event, it might not feel right. As an example:

• At a wedding, don’t bring a birthday present. It’s important to get the right gift for the event.
• Think about societal norms and how the gift might be seen at different events.

Picking a gift that fits the event shows that you understand the party and care about the person receiving it.

Considering the Gift Too Much

Picking a thoughtful gift is important, but thinking too much about it can cause stress and make things more complicated than they need to be. It’s important to keep things simple. The best gifts come from the heart, not from a process that’s too hard to understand.

Don’t question your decisions. Trust your gut and what you know about the person you’re writing to.

It’s already hard enough as it is. Gifts that are simple and show you care often mean the most.

Forgetting to Include a Receipt for the Gift

It might seem like a small thing, but a gift paper shows how much you care. It makes sure that the person who gets the gift can swap it or send it back if they need to.

Even though the thought behind the gift is the most important thing, it’s easier if the recipient can return or swap the item.

Not Thinking About the Relationship

When picking out a gift, it’s important to think about how you know the person receiving it. Because of this, gifts for a partner or family member can be more personal, while gifts for coworkers should be more neutral.

Think about these things:

• Kindness and personalization are things you can do for friends and family.
• When giving to coworkers or people you know, choose something neutral, like a plant or a gift card, to avoid being weird.

If you match the gift to the person you’re giving it to, they won’t feel awkward or overwhelmed.

How to Avoid the Rush at the Last Minute

You can always get a gift at the last minute, but if you wait too long, you might make a choice on the spot. You might choose something that is easy to buy but doesn’t really speak to the person you’re giving it to.

To stay away from this:

• Start early. Plan ahead, even if it’s only a few days, so you don’t have to rush at the last minute.
• Before the event, make a list of possible gifts.

A thoughtful gift, even one that was bought ahead of time, means a lot more than one that was bought in a hurry.

Being Thoughtful Over Being Perfect

Picking out a gift doesn’t need to be hard. You can choose a meaningful gift that feels thoughtful, useful, and right for the occasion by thinking about the person you’re giving it to, their likes, and your relationship with them. If you don’t do these things, you’ll find that the best gift is one that comes from the heart, not the most expensive or difficult one (Psychology Today gift tips).

FAQs

Q1: What if I don’t know what the person wants?

Choose neutral gifts like flowers, gift cards, or treats that they can eat. If you’re not sure what to get, choose something that everyone will like, like fine chocolate or a spa kit.

Q2: How can I make sure I don’t get a gift that’s too dull?

Make it as unique as you can, whether you do that by customizing it or carefully wrapping it. Little things that are done with care can make a big difference.

Q3: Is it okay for me to buy a gift for at work?

There’s no harm in giving a plant, office materials, or gift card as a business-like, neutral gift.

Q4: Is it okay to buy a gift at the last minute?

Yes! Don’t grab the first thing you see, though. With some thought, a gift you give at the last minute can still mean a lot.

Q5: The gift should feel more personal, but I don’t want to spend too much.

You can make the gift more special by adding a personal message, having it wrapped in a special way, or picking something that fits with their way of life.

Q6: What gift would mean the most to them?

Most of the time, the most important gifts are ones that are tailored to the person receiving them, like a hobby-related item or an experience that will be remembered.

Q7: How can I make sure my gift doesn’t feel too forced?

Pay attention to what they want and need. A thoughtful gift of any kind shows that you care.

Q8: What safe gift ideas do you have for family?

People in your family often like personalized or sentimental gifts, like picture albums, keepsakes, or things you made yourself.

Q9: What should I do when I want to give someone a gift but don’t know them well?

Don’t give too many specific gifts. Instead, give gift cards, books, or things linked to food.

Q10: What if I don’t find the right present?

Do not worry. Having time together is sometimes the best gift. Something like going out to eat or doing something together can be even more important.