How to give thoughtful gifts

What is a ‘good’ gift?

A good gift is thoughtful. It’s putting the person that you’re buying for at the forefront of your mind, and considering what they would like, appreciate, need or enjoy the most. Thoughtful presents also acknowledge and celebrate your relationship with that person.

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Present buying becomes stressful when the shopper doesn’t know what to buy or exactly where to look, leaving them feeling overwhelmed and confused. It can happen to all of us, but a Trunk Club study suggests that those over 55 are more concerned about their abilities to buy gifts, resulting in greater stress.

To streamline the shopping process and hopefully reduce the stress, take some time out to make a list of the people that you want to buy for and to come up with some initial ideas.

A personalised item is one way of approaching thoughtful gifting. Personalised lap trays, for instance, such as those from https://personalisedlaptrays.co.uk/collections/lap-trays, combine something practical, individual and thoughtful.

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How to get inspiration for thoughtful presents

Honey Langcaster-James, Psychologist, suggests the GIFTS technique of five questions designed to inspire ideas for meaningful presents.

Good times. Think about positive moments and experiences that you’ve shared with the recipient: is there a gift that could reignite those memories?

Intimate moments. Is there a gift that could signal an occasion or period of time where your connection with the recipient has been extra special?

First impressions. When did you first meet the recipient, when was it and what was happening at the time? Is there a gift that that could link to how you met?

Time and place. Is there a present that could tie in to a specific place, moment or date that has special importance to the recipient or to the two of you?

Shared secrets. Shared moments, thoughts and conversations can be particularly poignant within a relationship or friendship. Is there something you could give that would point to something you share, that they would understand and appreciate for its comedy or meaningful value, that others wouldn’t understand?

Meaningful gift giving can have a positive effect on both the giver and the receiver; it needn’t be saved for special occasions marked on the calendar, and small gifts don’t need to cost a fortune either: it’s the thought that counts.