The Perfect Present: How To Choose A Gift

Avoid Common Mistakes, Find Clues, When All Else Fails...

Choosing the right gift may be harder than you think. The truth is that most presents miss their mark. No-one wants their gift "re-gifted", donated or thrown away. Whether it's for a birthday, Christmas, Mother's Day or some other special event, here's how to ensure maximum satisfaction for both you and the recipient of your generosity.

• At the top of the list of reasons why gifts fail to please is that the giver shopped for themselves. While this may be fun for you, keep in mind that not everyone shares your favorite color, taste in decor, fashion sense, choice of literature or sports preferences.
• Don't let yourself be guided by stereotypes. Not every girl loves pink, frilly clothing. Not every boy wants a football. There are women who would choose a 7" tablet over a necklace any day of the week, and men who would much rather receive a good book than a ticket to a boxing match.
• Just because a person owns a pet doesn't mean that they long for pet-themed knick-knacks. They might not have much use for that dachshund poster or those cat napkin rings.
• Some gifts just scream "Generic present!". If you're attending a gift exchange, there's nothing wrong with this. If, on the other hand, you're buying for a specific individual, avoid coffee mugs, baseball caps, mouse pads and so on... unless you know it's on their wish list.

Some people drop clues right and left, but for most, you'll have to play detective.

• Ask their friends and family what they'd like. If your recipient wants something that's out of your price range, consider buying the gift as a group. Most people would prefer one expensive item that they really want over a bunch of inexpensive items that might fall flat.
• Does your recipient say things like, "I've got to get a ___ one of these days.", or "This ___ is ready to fall apart.", or "My ___ broke."? There's your gift!
• Is their wardrobe heavy on a particular color combination or style? Who are their favorite bands, authors, artists, sports teams or actors? What do they do when they're not at work?
• Collectors are easy to buy for. You have access to the Internet, and that means that if something exists, you can probably find it. Add an item to their collection, or buy them a collectors' guide.
• When you visit your intended recipient at home, pay attention to what's there and what's missing. Do they apologize for the lack of chairs? Have they decorated in a particular motif? Does the dog have a dog bed? Does the cat have a scratching post?
• Organizational aids are usually appreciated. Do the kids have a toy chest? Are the bookshelves or DVD shelves overflowing? Is it time for a magazine holder? A filing cabinet? A mug rack? A knick-knack shelf?
• Does your recipient have a favorite cause? Making a donation in their name serves two purposes: Making them happy and helping others. It doubles your satisfaction, too. However, this option only works for people truly dedicated to a particular non-profit.
• Sometimes a homemade gift is treasured more than any store-bought item. Other times, it isn't a thing your recipient wants at all. Maybe they could use some help finishing a project or learning how to do something. Maybe they're a game enthusiast without anyone to play against. Or maybe they've been meaning to go somewhere, but didn't want to go alone. "Free" gifts can be the best ones of all!

• There's an unspoken rule about gift giving... "Don't ask them what they want." While there are people who would be offended by such a bold question, others would jump at the opportunity. Kids, in particular, are eager to tell anyone willing to listen just exactly what it is they're wishing for.
• If asking is out of the question, try a gift certificate. Choose a business where almost anyone can find something they'll like: book stores, movie theaters, department stores, gadget catalogues, music stores and so on. Gift certificates may seem too generic, but recipients are rarely disappointed by them.
• Lastly, don't forget to keep the receipt. Let your recipient know that you can exchange their present if it doesn't suit them. However, if you've followed this guide, that's unlikely to happen. Instead, just enjoy that great feeling you get when you know your gift is truly appreciated!
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