Tips For Giving & Getting

Acknowledge the gift. “The gravest mistake is to ignore it. Look the person in the eye and, at the very least, thank them for their kind thought. But you also don’t want to make the mistake of lying about how much you love it – as you could end up getting the same type of gift for years to come.” So, regardless of whether the gift is a good match or not, you need to show your appreciation for the thought behind it.

Don’t over-analyse. It’s the age-old question: Why on earth did they buy me that? “We’re all a bit dismayed when we get a present that’s totally inappropriate. It’s easy to think, They don’t know me at all, particularly when it’s from a romantic partner. Focus instead on the reality that not everyone’s great at giving presents.”

 

Good gift giving. Many people go wrong when they try to use a gift to change someone. “Instead of buying a present to try and turn a person into someone they’re not, celebrate who they are.” If you set out to buy a present that’s genuinely for them, not for you, chances are you’ll end up getting the right gift.

Avoid durable gifts. All gift recipients know that you’ll want to see the gift when you come to visit. This can create years of tortured running around before your arrival. In worst-case scenarios, you simply won’t be invited around again.

Go with gifts you can eat or drink. “This is a no-brainer. If they don’t like the edibles, they can give them to the dog. If the drink is undrinkable, they can tip it down the sink.”