Have you ever hit the jackpot with a present? Either getting or giving a great present is the best feeling and can last for a long time.
How do you find a great present? Here are some ideas.
1. Listening can help. Has the person mentioned something they haven’t been able to find? I remember not being able to find a rectangle cake platter anywhere, and then I received a beautiful one from a very good listener (who also had an inside track to great pottery sales!).
2. Sometimes when someone has lost something special, something that was meaningful, you can find a way to ease the pain. Although you can never replace the special item, you might be able to start a new meaning, or perhaps a new tradition, by buying something similar but different. Depending on the person and the item – and the pain – you might want to check in with them first.
3. Perhaps a “priceless” gift is a worthwhile option. I’ve received a couple of beautiful items from loved ones’ own personal collections – and these are greatly treasured, decades later.
4. There are many places that showcase independent artists – think t-shirts, mugs, computer mouse pads, bags etc. It’s so much nicer to choose a t-shirt with a snappy saying that suits the person perfectly, for example, than an off-the-rack one from a large store, and you’re supporting talent, too.
5. Memberships are worth considering, in areas where the person has an interest. Think museums, gardening clubs, sewing circles, art galleries. This kind of present reeks of love, care and enthusiasm for a special interest.
6. Books! Always books. Fiction, non-fiction, funnies, kid’s books – you can’t go past a book for ensuring hours of pleasure – if you pick the right book.
Happy hunting for that perfect gift! And remember, the joy of giving someone a great gift remains long after the cost is forgotten.
Joni Page 