When You Give A Gift, It’s The Thought That Counts, Right?
By Gina Stathopoulos
It’s a no-no to tell someone you don’t like their
gift because it’s the thought that counts, right?
Sure, but just how ‘nice’ are your thoughts towards
your gift giver who doesn’t listen in order to know what your likes
and dislikes are?
How disappointed are you when with anticipation you
unwrap your gift to stare down at an ugly pair of socks, or when your
husband of four years decides his wife would absolutely love a broom
for Valentines Day?
Gift giving is more than just the thought. It’s the
thought, the gift, the intention – the whole package. The best gifts
are ones that directly think of the recipient, that’s truly when the
thought counts.
If you know your boyfriend will just about die for
the whole collection of South Park, then why buy him a tie? What value
would your girlfriend find in a pretty package of art supplies when
she has no interest in painting?
We’ve devoted a whole page on our website with “Horror
Gifts” Received.
Take for example the man who received a box of chocolates
from his girlfriend who should have known that he was allergic to
it. Or the man whose girlfriend gave him tickets to a show he didn’t
want to see.
When it comes to your loved ones, gifts shouldn’t
be given out of obligation but from the heart.
Gifts that are appreciated can be practical or they
can be impractical. This depends on what your recipient wants or would
like.
When I was at college I really needed a text book
on C programming. I kept borrowing a copy from the library but there
were times when they were all taken.
At that time, I couldn’t afford to buy one for myself.
How would I have loved a text book as opposed to the sterling silver
bracelet my then boyfriend gave me? It was a lovely gesture but…
To find the perfect gift, we have to tune into that
person. Listen to what they have to say. Did you watch the Friends
episode where Ross bought Rachel the broche she had seen in a shop
window some months ago?
That’s what I mean by tuning in. Find what the person
wants and then give it to them. That’s when the thought really counts.
You know when you have done a good job with your gift
selection when you absolute astonish your recipient.
There are times when we don’t know what our recipient
would like. There are ‘safe gifts’ we can give. Safe gifts are flowers,
a gift basket perhaps, even a bottle of wine - something that is popularly
considered ‘nice’. Safe gifts are what we give people we don’t’ know
too well.
From someone that has been disappointed many times
and astonished others, if you are to give, listen to what your recipient
wants. You will find they will treasure you and your gesture 100 fold.
Copyright © Gina Stathopoulos
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