In the last blog I tried to give you instructions, how to keep a poker face, when you receive and unwanted gift. It is obvious to give a few ideas for gifts you should avoid, if you are the giver.
Choosing the gift, consider the taste and needs of the one you are going to give it. Don´t forget the environment, where you will give the gift. If there is some “public”, keep it in mind. Giving some delicate gifts in front of the children – well, if you want to answer their curious questions, good luck. Also, don´t forget that whenever you are invited to a place, bring a gift for the host, even if it would be a small thing. Prefer some classics, so that you don´t make a faux pas with too much creativity. You will not make a mistake with a bottle of wine, a candle or a set of decorative soaps.
Which gifts you should completely forget, no matter if you bring them to hosts or the birthday persons?
1. Gifts which might hurt the recipient of the gift – Each of us must fight a less difficult or a more difficult obstacle during our lives. Better don´t give anything what would remind it to the concerned person, or exactly the thing he or she is fighting now. Whether it is extra weight, depression or financial problems. Better choose something positive. A woman who is fighting her extra weight may appreciate a necklace with a small comment that it will make her face even more beautiful. Somebody who suffers of depression may appreciate a voucher for a massage or a wonderful dinner.
2. Books with the topic of self-development – It doesn´t matter how much your friend needs emotional, psychological or physical help, avoid giving him or her a book with such a topic, if he or she doesn´t say that he or she wants it. Instead give him or her a voucher to a bookshop and let him or her choose what he or she feels that they want.
3. Anything that looks cheap – even if you have a limited amount of money, high quality things that don´t cost a fortune can be found. So, for example instead of a poor-quality piece of clothing give subscription for a fashion magazine. The concerned one will remember you whenever she browses through it, and more she has a chance to discover some inspiration tailored to her.
4. Anything connected with personal hygiene – think of your conscience – if you unwrapped a deodorant or a shampoo for greasy hair or a hair clipper at a work party who of us wouldn´t suspect that we don´t smell good to our colleagues and in fact we give the impression that we completely avoid personal hygiene. Well, only if I think of it, I feel ashamed. Better try hard and find out what kind of music the concerned person listens to or what he or she reads and get them a concert ticket or a nice book novelty.
5. Travelling gifts – It is not prohibited to give the given things. Thus, if the thing is new and not used, only somebody didn´t know your taste and needs. However, keep in mind not to give it exactly to the person who originally gave it to you.
6. Whatever, what the concerned one obviously can´t or won´t use – for example wine glasses are not suitable for someone who doesn´t drink wine, as well as an ashtray for a non-smoker. If you care about pleasing the concerned person, take time to find out what he or she really likes and what he or she desires.
7. Clothes with “humorous” writing – you might think that a t-shirt with humorous writing is a great idea. It seems so, but unfortunately each of us has a different sense of humour, so, in my opinion, don´t risk it.
I believe that you manage to choose the most wonderful gifts this year and that you will give only peace, joy and happiness to the ones around you all the Christmas time. I keep fingers crossed for you and think of you.