When birthdays roll around, it’s hard to figure out a perfect gift for your friends. They either have everything or are simply way too picky about what they like. In turn, buying a gift ends up being a chore and, honestly, a waste of time and money.
However, it doesn’t need to be that way. I’ve learned there is indeed a craft in buying things for your friends.
Below is a guide of six tips to help give an impeccable and unforgettable gift.
- Ditch the Price Limit
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I’ve realized that there is a key to getting the perfect, or at least a more perfect, gift for someone. That first step is to ditch the price limit. This doesn’t mean you have to spend pounds of money on a friend, though.
Often we’ll set a limit, say 25 dollars, and try to stick heavily to it; however, it limits our thinking and, further, our options of what we can gift to someone. I always say that you have to feel out the gift. What speaks to you?
- The Rule of Thirds
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When taking a picture, there is this ‘rule of thirds’ where the frame is split into three sections, which, in turn, aids in creating an aesthetically pleasing picture. This circles back to the foundation of composition. Just like photography, gifting is an art of composition.
I like to apply this rule to gifts. This simply means the gift involves roughly three parts or is at least proportional to the items. Start off with the main gift, then add on complementary presents.
- Know Your Person
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Sometimes, gift giving requires more than a week in advance of planning. Sometimes, it may require you to get your hands sticky with some arts and crafts. Personalization is key! Try to pay attention to the tiny things they say in a normal conversation and use that to surround a perfect gift.
As of late, bedazzling has been a big hit. For a 21st birthday, a personalized, bedazzled bottle could be a great option. Or maybe even gifting a picture frame could show just how much the birthday girl or boy means to you.
- Get Creative or Even Handmade
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While it may seem hard, superb gift giving requires a little bit of thinking outside the box.
Creativity is the root of effort, and effort shows that you care. Handmade gifts are not only impressive, but show the recipient that someone both thought about them and put forth effort into them. Isn’t that what truly matters?
I truly can’t stress this enough, but making the card yourself can sell the gift. Even if you aren’t the most artsy person to exist, it still serves just as much meaning.
- Staple Items
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There are certain items that I can guarantee will almost always be in a gift I am giving. Some of those things include lip glosses, oils or balms. These are such classic items that most girls are constantly grabbing at — what’s one more shade to the collection?
I also tend to grab at trinket dishes. These are so versatile and can be used either as decoration or to put jewelry and other trinkets in.
- Presentation Matters!
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If all else fails, a cute card and a pretty bow can almost fix it all. Wrapping gifts can be fairly hard, but there’s nothing a YouTube video tutorial can’t help.
My favorite thing about birthdays is going to the store, buying fun ribbon and paper and creating the cutest gift. Details matter.
Gifting does not have to be hard, in fact, it can actually be quite fun. It’s not about monetary value but rather building connections and expressing appreciation. The art of gifting simply is about being seen.