Things to keep in mind while shopping for Christmas gifts.
Christmas gift giving is a beautiful tradition. It is thousands of years old. We hear or read of accounts of gift giving in ancient times. People visiting dignitaries and kings carried appropriate gifts, while the dignitaries and kings also gave gifts to people on important or religious occasions.
In fact, when Christ was born he was supposed to have been brought gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense by the Magi (incidentally, the English word “magic” is derived from it) or three Wise Men or three Kings from the East.
What points we should bear in mind while selecting and giving Christmas gifts?
1. Go about it in an Organized Way
Shopping For Christmas Gifts is not for the last moment. You could buy future gift items all the year round, especially when there are some sales. Likewise, prepare your list of persons whom to give Christmas gifts and what items to give well in advance. Keep some margin for last minute additions, especially for reciprocal gifts.
2. Make Your Budget and Try not to Exceed it
In the spirit of Christmas one may be tempted to buy and give expensive gifts. On the other hand one should not be miser also. Try to keep a balance. If you give unique and personalized gifts even less costly things will be appreciated much.
3. Gift Wrapping and Presenting
Always gift wrap your presents nicely. Don’t give a gift without gift wrapping. Worse still, don’t wrap into an already used gift paper. Try to remove or erase the price tag/sticker. And while presenting give away with a smile!
4. Give Gifts in the Appropriate Price Range
While there is no price limit on gifts, one should not give too cheap or too costly gifts. Such gifts become a matter of embarrassment rather than joy because people think of reciprocity also. It is a good idea to give symbolic gifts of flowers, personalized or hand-made gifts to wealthy persons, as your costly gifts may seem cheap to them!
5. Don’t Reveal the Gift before Time
Always keep an element of surprise in your gifts. Don’t reveal before hand what you intend to give. Similarly, don’t take the gift recipient with you to buy gift for him/her, except in case of family, especially children who would not be satisfied with any other thing than what they really want. Taking a person with you for buying gift may also cause embarrassment if the person chooses a gift of higher price than you had intended to buy.
6. Keep in the Mind the Future of Gift Giving Tradition
Before giving Christmas gifts also think whether you are going to keep this tradition with the recipients in the future also. For example, if you are giving gifts to your colleagues in your old office where you no longer work, consider whether you would continue relationship with them.
7. Try to Find out What Gifts are Expected
In case of your family and friends try to find out what they might be expecting from you or what their secret wishes are. Don’t ask them directly.
8. Reciprocal and Last Minute Additions Gifts
Even if it is a reciprocal gift or a gift to a person who was not included in your original list, don’t let the recipient know this and feel unimportant.
9. Give Intangible Gifts
An expensive gift given with an unsmiling face is worthless. The expensive gift given with a feeling of animosity is worthless. The expensive gift given without love is worthless. A gift is a statement of love and a promise of continued love. Keep your promise.
10. Give to Needy and Poor
Set aside a portion of your budget for the needy and poor whom you may not know. Make their Christmas bright. Also don’t forget utility/service persons e.g. your driver, postman, plumber, gardener, office boy, waiter, etc. Tips or gifts cards are highly appropriate.