So, is it December twenty-fifth again? No, not yet. It’s not even December. But the stress is already starting. This marathon of “What do you want for the New Year?” “Oh, nothing, I have everything.” “What do you mean, nothing?!” A vicious circle, honestly. And it’s like this every year. Just thinking about it gives me a headache. As a psychologist, I can tell you that this stress isn’t really about the gifts. It’s about our expectations, our fear of not getting it right. And it’s about forgetting to simply enjoy the moment. You don’t just want to give a gift; you want the person to feel that you thought about them. You get it, right? So, I’m going to throw out some ideas for you now. But not just, you know, a list from the internet. I want you to look at this from a different perspective. As someone who sees the emotions behind the gift. Let’s go.
When Classics Save the Day: Safe Bets
To be honest, I don’t like these “perfect” lists. But there are things that always, just always, work. They’re like that old, favorite T-shirt. It’s not trendy, but it’s comfortable. These gifts are the same. Reliable.
- Gift Certificate. The best gift for someone who doesn’t know what to get. It sounds funny, but it’s true. Why? Because you’re giving the person the freedom of choice. And you have to agree, that’s valued. By the way, I often give them for a bookstore or a spa. It’s like saying, “I want you to choose something for yourself that will make you happy.” And that’s worth a lot.
- Book. Oh, this is probably the most difficult gift. If you don’t know what the person reads, it’s better not to start. But if you do… it’s a real treasure. I once gave my friend “Fahrenheit 451.” He later re-read it. That was great.
- Something Tasty. But not just candy. I’m talking about something exclusive. For example, a set of artisan cheese or maybe some expensive, high-quality chocolate. Someone once gave me a box of Spanish candies. It was, well… unbeatable.
- A Warm Item. A blanket. A scarf. A warm sweater. Anything that creates coziness. It’s New Year’s, it’s cold, it’s snowing. And there you are, wrapped in a blanket, thinking, “Man, this feels so good.”
- Tickets to a Concert. Or to the theater. Or to a festival. The main thing is not just a ticket. It’s a ticket that will remind you of a shared adventure.
And What If You Want to Surprise Them?
This is where you need to get creative. And a little “spy” on the person, on their interests. I remember a client once told me a story. She bought her husband, who is into baking, a set of professional cake molds. He was so thrilled! Because he would never have bought something like that for himself. After all, “I’m not a baker.” The gift was like saying, “I believe in your hobby.” And that’s awesome.
For Those Who Are Always on the Go
- A Cool Backpack. Not just any backpack, but one with pockets for a laptop, a power bank, and headphones. You know, so everything is at your fingertips.
- Headphones. You don’t even have to think about this one. Good headphones, especially wireless ones, are always needed.
For Those Who Love Peace and Quiet
- A Painting Kit. It can be anything. Paints, a canvas. Maybe even an easel. Maybe the person loved to draw as a child but doesn’t have time now. And this gift is like a reminder of that.
- A Bath Set. Salts, bath bombs, some aromatic oils. This is a gift that implies, “Relax, you deserve it.”
Experience Gifts: We’re Giving Emotions, Not Things
Honestly, this is my favorite option. A thing is just a thing. It can break. But an experience? An emotion? That’s forever. That’s, man, an investment in life.
- A Hot Air Balloon Ride. This is, of course, for the brave ones. But the emotions are incredible.
- A Master Class. You can go to a culinary master class together, learn to cook, for example, Italian pasta. It’s fun and useful. And you get to spend time together.
- A Small Trip. For a weekend, somewhere in the mountains. Just to escape from everything. I once went on a trip like that with a friend. It was the best thing we could have done.
My Tips: How Not to Make a Mistake
And finally. A few of my, shall we say, “professional” tips. I’m not a psychologist for nothing. You have to use it, right?
- Listen. Sometimes, just listen. A person might casually say, “Oh, I’d love to have that.” This happened to me with my wife. She said, “Oh, that’s such a cool… you know, that thing for coffee…” And I went and bought it. She was shocked.
- Don’t give “needed” things. Don’t give something the person has to buy for themselves anyway. For example, socks. That’s, man, not a gift. That’s… well, it’s not a gift.
- Pay attention to the packaging. This is very important. Even the simplest gift, if it’s beautifully packaged, already evokes emotions. It’s like… it’s like… you know when you receive a package, and it’s not just a box, but it also has pretty paper. It’s a small thing, but it feels nice.
Questions and Answers That Everyone Cares About
I’ve picked a few questions that I’m often asked. Honestly, these questions are classics.
What Should You Never Give as a Gift?
- Money. Seriously. It’s the worst option if you’re a close person. Money is a lack of effort; it’s… it’s “I was lazy.”
- Things that hint at flaws. For example, weight loss products. That’s, man, an insult. It’s not a gift. It’s a hint that something is wrong with the person.
What if There’s No Time at All?
Then it’s better to give… nothing. Seriously. It’s better to give nothing than to give something just for the sake of it. Or… well, if you really have to, then buy a cool gift certificate. And write a sincere, warm card. By the way, sometimes that’s even better than any gift.
Share this post with your friends; maybe it will make things easier for them too!
Author: S. Quill
An expert who knows that a person stands behind every gift.
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