10 Common Mistakes to Avoid While Gifting: How to Fix Them

From ancient traditions, gift-giving has been considered a universal love language for powerful communication. However, there are common mistakes to avoid while gifting to ensure the gift is surely appreciated. Instead of making your recipient feel perplexed, you can be thoughtful by inferring your giftee’s preferences and interests. 

It’s been said that precaution is better than cure. Though there are no specific rules to gift-giving, keeping a few important tips in mind can benefit you. 

To simplify the gift-giving journey, we have curated this guideline so that you can easily avoid making mistakes by being a little considerate. The anticipation will help you showcase your true intention and sentiment behind the gift. Let’s dive in.

Generic Gifting Approach Doesn’t Work

Gifts we choose as safe choices or at the last minute can be considered generic, such as gift cards and luxury items without personalization. These gifts lack thoughtfulness and are often seen as impersonal. A generic gift is not as appealing as a thoughtful one. 

First, ask yourself: What makes a good gift? If you find it difficult to answer, put yourself in the recipient’s shoes. Remember, it’s the thought that counts. 

Keeping your giftee’s preferences and interests in mind and personalizing it accordingly can help you find a long-lasting, memorable gift. 

Gifts That Feel Impersonal

Which gifts are impersonal and thoughtless, and why so? Think of a gift card. Yes, it’s a practical and versatile gift item that lets the giftee have whatever they want. But it also demonstrates the gift giver’s lack of enthusiasm. 

A good gift should make the recipient feel loved, valued, and appreciated. Gifts that resonate with the recipient’s personality and style are often viewed as appropriate. 

An impersonal gift is quite the opposite. The receiver might receive it well, but the gift may fail to convey the right message. Some gifts that might feel impersonal are listed below.

Ignoring the Occasion and Context

Gifting is an art. If you are planning on giving someone something as a gift, you should also consider the occasion and the context behind the gift. This information is essential to avoid a common mistake when giving a gift. 

For example, giving someone a toy set on the occasion of their graduation doesn’t seem appropriate or a thematic gift item. 

Whether it is their birthday, graduation party, promotion day, retirement day, anniversary, or something else, you should craft the gift and let your creativity kick in according to the event, its theme, and the recipient’s preferences and interests. 

Trap of Last-Minute Shopping

Another mistake people tend to make when gifting is rushing at the last minute. This often leads to buying unthoughtful, expensive gifts and doesn’t allow us to tailor the gift according to the giftee’s preferences, which can be upsetting for both the recipient and the gift giver. 

Limited Choices and Higher Prices

We are supposed to consider gifts when giving them to someone thoughtfully. However, due to the trap of last-minute shopping, gift options might become limited, eventually compelling someone to buy expensive gifts and deal with an inconvenient situation. 

You can plan in advance instead. This will save you from spending a lot of money and other troubles.

Taking Away from The Thoughtfulness of Gift-Giving

A unique and thoughtful gift can go a long in creating a special emotional bridge between two people. But rushing at the last moment can prevent a gift giver from finding a thought gift. 

Gifts should signify your true feelings or convey a heartfelt message to the recipient. Careful forethought can save you from all the unnecessary hassles. 

Gifting Based on Your Preferences, Not Theirs

Let’s say you received a gift from someone on your birthday. The gift item is a weight loss product. If the gift giver didn’t consult you before giving it, this gift might hurt your feelings, and you might also find it insensitive. The same goes for everyone. No one wants unwanted gifts. 

The best thing to do is put yourself in the giftee’s shoes or observe what the recipient needs. This showcases that you put effort and thought into the gift and want to make the other person feel valued, admired, and appreciated. A few tips are suggested below.

• Try to understand the recipient’s needs and preferences.
• Try knowing what they enjoy but wouldn’t get for themselves.
• Research on their likes and dislikes. 
• Consider the occasion.
• Choose something meaningful, practical, and thematic.
• A personalized gift is one of the best options. Think of curating the gift this way.
• Tailor the gift according to the giftee’s preferences, interests, and styles.

Buying Gifts That Don’t Suit the Recipient’s Style

It’s important to consider the recipient’s style, preferences, and interests while gifting. No matter the gift item, you should pick something that perfectly resonates with the giftee’s style. 

A brainstorming session can help you a lot. For example, think of their favorite colors, snacks, fabrics, etc. 

A thoughtfully selected gift means more than a material possession. The suitable gift reminds the recipient they were always on the gift giver’s mind. 

This makes a huge difference in creating long-lasting memories and signifying a deep sense of belonging. Check out the ideas below to avoid such blunders.

Following Trends Over Personal Preferences

Trends are fun, and there is always something new about them. However, when it comes to gifting, one should be more considerate in choosing the right gift according to the recipient’s preferences. Otherwise, this may convey the wrong message to the giftee. 

They might even find the gift unmindful and thoughtless. So, don’t be tempted next time, even if trendy gift items look attractive and reasonable. Consider the recipient’s personal preferences over trends. 

Instead of giving something too common, stand out with your creativity and thoughtfulness. For example, if they are chocolate lovers, curate a beautiful chocolate gift basket according to their preferences. 

Ending Up with Unwanted or Unused Gifts

Well, let’s say you love watches. You are a big fan of analog watches but never wear digital ones. It’s not in your comfort zone. If someone gifts you an analog watch with your favorite color strap, you will wear it happily. 

But what if someone gives you a digital watch? Of course, you will receive the gift gracefully, but you might never wear it and pass it to someone else. 

Ignoring Their Hobbies and Passions

Remembering the gift receiver’s hobbies and passions can help you find the right gift and create a wonderful surprise for them whereas neglecting may cause inconvenience in choosing the gift. 

To avoid such complications, ask yourself the following questions.

• What are their hobbies and passions?
• What do they want to learn?
• Do they collect something?
• What do they find unique?
• Do they have any favorite sports, musicians, authors, or artists?

The Gift Reflecting You More Than Them

With so many gift items available, it can be easy to get carried away and mistakenly buy a gift that reflects you more than the recipient. This can be embarrassing and upsetting. You should be able to separate your needs and wants and view the gift items through the recipient’s eyes. 

There is no parameter, but the right gift should appeal to the giftee, making them pause and look at it for a minute. Once they do, they should instantly realize it’s meant for them. 

For example, if you want them to have a dress, you shouldn’t just go to the shop and buy a dress of your preference. Instead, think of what kind of dress they want and buy accordingly.

Focusing on Price Tag Over Sentiment

Generosity is okay, but focusing on the price tag over the sentiment of the gift can be humiliating and discomforting for the receiver. They might get the wrong message from the gift. Your priority should be making your recipient see the true sentiment and feelings behind the gift—because the thought counts. 

According to a study, 46% of respondents felt guilty that someone gave them a more expensive present. You don’t have to break the bank to find a unique and thoughtful gift. 

All it takes is your effort and a few information about the giftee’s preferences. Always ensure that the price tag is removed before giving a gift. Etiquette should also be maintained.

For example, you might go to the store and buy the most expensive item for the recipient, thinking they would love it because it is the most valuable item. 

But this concept is very much wrong. Instead, you should go for gifts that are meaningful to the giftee, even if they don’t cost much. 

Gifting Inappropriate Items

Gift-giving is a wonderful gesture, but there are limitations and boundaries. You shouldn’t hurt someone’s feelings by exceeding their comfort zone. Inappropriate items can be overpriced, too personal, or in an attempt to gain favor, etc., which is ethically problematic. Such gifts lack thoughtfulness and convey wrong messages to the recipient. 

The solution is not to make your recipient uncomfortable with a gift and not to give something harmful to them. Don’t hurt someone’s feelings by pranking or giving gifts just scare them. 

You should never choose a gift that might cause the severance of a beautiful relationship. Always remember the real purpose of giving the gift and be modest. 

Importance of Thoughtful Wrapping and Presentation

A thoughtfully curated gift can create a long-lasting impression and even transform a mere gift into a special one. Choosing a gift is one thing, but making it presentable is another.  

When it comes to beautifying the gift, you should think about the gift’s theme and its components. Curate it according to the gift content.

Crafting or wrapping a gift increases the element of surprise, creates a memorable experience, and makes the gift look visually appealing and aesthetic. This eventually leads to a sense of occasion and elevates the whole gift-giving experience.

Gifting Items That Are Difficult to Use, Store, or Maintain

Giving a gift is beautiful, but exaggerating it is not. You shouldn’t pick a gift that’s troublesome for the gift receiver. This kind of carelessness may cause difficulties for the giftee. A gift that requires constant nurture, space, or regular maintenance may not fit the recipient well. 

The key is to be thoughtful and purchase a gift that will truly help the other person or something meaningful that lets you express your appreciation, admiration, or love. Avoid something that will cause inconveniences or require more resources to sustain the gift. A few more tips are suggested below.

• Don’t give large, bulky items unsuitable for the recipient’s living situation.
• Don’t give overly complex items that are difficult to navigate.
• Don’t give pets if it’s not in the recipient’s best choice cause it’s a huge responsibility.
• Don’t give accessories that need constant maintenance, a special cleaning process, and many more.

Conclusion

Giving a gift to someone is exciting and a wonderful idea. However, some common mistakes can kill the emotion of this positive gesture. There are limitations and boundaries to consider when giving a gift. You shouldn’t hurt someone’s feelings by exceeding their comfort zone. 

Purchase a gift that will truly resonate with the other person or something unique that will let you express your appreciation, admiration, or love for the giftee. 

The best way to mitigate these problems is to remember the recipient’s preferences and be thoughtful. Whether it is their birthday, graduation party, promotion day, retirement day, anniversary, or something else, you should craft the gift and let your creativity kick in according to the event, its theme, and the recipient’s interests. 

When you finally understand what to do and what not to do when giving a gift to someone, the whole gifting process can be an amazing experience for you and your recipient.

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