Buying holiday gifts for a partner can be difficult, even if you know your partner very well. As we approach major celebrations like Christmas or Valentine’s Day, you may begin feeling a creeping sense of dread – and if you’re lucky enough to remember personal occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, you might be forced to scramble to get a “proper” gift in time.
Whatever your budget, whoever your partner is, and whatever holiday you’re about to celebrate, there are some tips and tricks that can help you out.
Start Early
You can make life easier for yourself by starting as early as possible. You’ll have more time to brainstorm, more time to shop, and more time to listen to any hints your partner is dropping. If you have a few months to shop for a gift, it’s inevitable that you’ll come across some good ideas; if you only have a day or two, you’ll have a much harder time finding something.
Pay Attention to Hints
People often drop hints about what they’d like to receive as gifts, especially if they’re excited about an upcoming birthday or holiday. You just have to listen attentively enough to pick up on them. What kind of things is this person complimenting? What experiences or items have brought them joy this year? Have they talked about any special events coming up or possessions they wish they had? What are they sharing on social media?
Work With What You Know
If your partner isn’t the type to drop hints, you’ll need to discover clues on your own. Work with whatever you know, such as:
- Hobbies. What kind of hobbies and activities does this person enjoy? What could enhance their enjoyment of this activity or allow them to practice it better? For example, if they love completing puzzles, could you get them a new custom puzzle with some glue to hold the finished piece together?
- Clothes and accessories. Clothing and accessories are common gifts for a reason; they’re practical and enjoyable if you can nail the aesthetics. What kind of clothing, jewelry, and other accessories does your partner wear? Investigate their wardrobe if you have to.
- General interests. Does this person have other general interests, like trying new restaurants or seeing live productions at the local theater? If they had unlimited free time, how would they choose to spend it?
Prioritize Experiences
These days, 76 percent of consumers prefer experiences over material items. They would rather go out for dinner or see a play than purchase the latest tech gadget or clutter their house with unnecessary stuff. Obviously, this may not apply to everyone, but if you’re stuck looking for a gift, consider broadening your considerations to include experiences.
Have a Frank Conversation
If you’re still struggling with finding the perfect gift, even after considering some of the other strategies on this list, consider having a frank conversation with your future recipient. If you’re engaged in a Secret Santa exchange or if you just want to make sure your present remains a secret, this may not be possible. Otherwise, it’s helpful to ask your recipient what they’d like to receive.
Think About the Long Term
When choosing a gift, think about the long term instead of the first few days or weeks of receiving the gift. Avoid giving gifts that require significant maintenance or work – and try to choose gifts that are somewhat “future proof” (in other words, indefinitely relevant).
Don’t Worry About the Budget
We always like to say, “it’s the thought that counts,” – indicating that it’s better to give a thoughtful gift instead of, say, an expensive one. But this is more than an adage or an old cliché; it’s a social concept backed by science. Contrary to public opinion, spending more money on a gift doesn’t automatically make it a better gift comma nor is it going to be more appreciated by the person receiving it. There are some exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, you shouldn’t worry about your budget. Spend what you can afford, reciprocate when you can, and otherwise – buy the best, most thoughtful gift you can with the budgetary limitations you have in place.
Keep the Gift Receipt
No matter how confident you are in your gift selection, keep the gift receipt (if possible). That way, if your recipient doesn’t like the gift, they can take it back without any strings attached.
There’s no way to completely eliminate the stress or anxiety of purchasing gifts, but you can give better gifts more consistently if you follow these simple practices. As long as you’re putting in genuine thought and effort, you’ll probably be met with nothing but appreciation.