Christmas 2020 is different from all the world has seen in the past. The damage and trauma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic still impact the people. The whole year has been very challenging and traumatic as different countries in the world had to go into a state of lockdown; people had to work remotely. Many companies and corporations superseded their activities, and nearly every nation faced an economic crisis. Besides, the grief of losing loved ones is still the same, and many countries worldwide still face the effects of ongoing global economic turmoil.
The Christmas celebration with social distancing is how people are going to celebrate. Things are tough as many people are still mourning the loss of their loved ones. Christmas this year will be very different! Nevertheless, festivals are supposed to be celebrated with loved ones that are thereby one’s side and with the memories of departed ones. Exchanging gifts is the most important Christmas ritual, but these gifts should be different and impactful this year.
Here are some pro tips to help you buy a gift that could produce an everlasting impact on the recipient.
Do: Listen to What People Want and Wish for Throughout the Year
This year go that extra mile for your loved ones and surprise them with something they longed for. While buying a gift, you should consider the wish list of a receiver. A better approach is remembering what they want, like, and desire! Get them their favorite TV series, movie collectibles, superhero action figures at Toynk, or a book’s special edition. You can navigate their social media to know their current obsession. You can review their posts about a particular item or store. Whereas, if you pay attention, you can get to know people’s wish lists during general conversations. Keep an eye on updates and comments like “I lost my favorite jewelry piece” or “I want to shoot from XYZ store.” With this, you get to buy a gift the receiver would like and make them realize how important they are to you.
Do: Buy a Gift Card
Buying a gift card sounds like an impersonal or lazy holiday gift, but most people love receiving a gift card. National Retail Federation conducted a survey in 2015, finding that a Gift Card has been the most requested gift item. With this, you allow your loved ones to explore options to help them choose according to their taste and preferences. This also saves you from brainstorming and tiring hassle.
Don’t: Buy Gift Cards to Places Where They Don’t Shop
Buying Gift cards for Christmas is a decent and convenient idea that saves you from brainstorming, but this doesn’t mean you don’t have to put in some thoughts while buying one! You need to consider the preferences of the people you are buying the gift card. For instance, if someone loves food, you can buy him a voucher for his favorite restaurant. Similarly, you can buy gift cards from places where the receiver would like to shop. Vouchers or gift cards of places where the receiver doesn’t shop or prefers to shop would be no use!
Infographic Copyright: Betway
Don’t: Buy Gift Baskets
Buying gift baskets are expensive and a bad idea! The pretty appealing chocolate basket you are thinking of buying has nothing but a small box of chocolates (2-4 pieces), a few candies, nuts, and jellies. There are some cookies too. You can buy extravagant chocolate boxes and a few more edibles at the same price. The same goes out for food and fruit baskets. These are convenient and profitable for companies, but they cost a lot. A better approach is to make a basket yourself and add edibles that your loved one likes. In this way, you get to save money and make a gift basket that holds some emotional value.
Do: Buy Practical Gifts that would last long.
If you are buying gifts for adults, then giving practical items is the best option. It might sound boring, but it turns out to be fun and exciting if more attention is paid. But there is a drawback to it, which is that you might buy something that is useful but not in the color or style that a receiver likes. So, even if you are buying something practically useful for the receivers, consider their preferences.
Another approach is buying the latest or unique version of practical items. Moreover, buying practical items that last for long is another wise approach. In fact, according to surveys, adults get overwhelmed upon receiving gifts that they can use for months and years to come. Some gift ideas are electronic items like earphones, a power bank, digital items like a camera, and kitchen appliances such as a toaster and coffee maker.
Don’t: Re-Gift
Re-gifting something that you were gifted is clearly against etiquette and morals. It is such a bad idea! It is not just about the thing gifted to you but also about the giver’s feelings and gestures. If you don’t like a gift, you can simply give it away instead of wrapping it for somebody else as a gift. Besides, while buying a gift, the very first thing you should consider is your attraction towards it; gifting something that you don’t like is very mean.
With re-gifting, not only is their fear of the receiver coming to discover it but also of losing your reputation.
Do: Insert a Handwritten Note or Card and Personalized Gifts
Placing a handwritten note or handmade card with the gift adds to the personal sense and feel of the entire thing; the receiver feels overwhelmed. DIY gifts would be a great hit if you are even a bit creative! But if you are not, you can opt for personalized stuff such as getting names engraved over accessories or pictures printed over the cover. There are a lot of choices!