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When you are provided with a Christmas List or a Letter to Santa, deciding what to buy someone for Christmas is just a matter of elimination and you can be sure that you will be getting a 'Good Gift' - something the recipient actually wants!
But what about when you are not provided with clear instructions? How can you decide what to get then?
I'm sure we've all received presents that we didn't want and, if we are honest, have given presents we know weren't really going to have any value for the person we have bought for.
A couple of years ago the most unwanted present for women was cosmetic sets and for men it was socks. However I'm sure there are people who love cosmetics and even socks at Christmas!! https://uk.style.yahoo.com/items-considered-most-unwanted-christmas-170308242.html
So how do we avoid the trap of giving unwanted gifts? According to theseanamethod.com there is a 'sweet spot'! If a present meets one or more of the following 5 criteria the recipient feels 'known':
Needed
Liked
Fits
Fun
Tasty
So, you've read this and are still unsure how to pick a gift for some one, here are a few more ideas:
If you want to give a clutter free gift try something that can be eaten or drunk! By their very nature they get disposed of as they are consumed! As long as it falls into a couple of the categories above you should be fine!
Tickets and vouchers could be a good idea as long as you know what the person likes and finds fun.
Asking is a good idea too! Don't be shy about being direct - I'm sure being asked is better than receiving a present that is unwanted!
And when all else fails - probably one of the most successful gifts when my children were teenagers - cold hard cash! -(and PLEASE NO STRINGS ATTACHED!! it is a gift after all!)
And for Christmas 2020? Surely the gift of time is the most precious - whether in person or online or over the phone. I know I am missing my family so much it actually hurts - and we live in the same small town, but seeing each other on a doorstep for 5 minutes at a time is no substitute for sitting down with a coffee and having a cosy chat together. We still won't be getting together for a 'proper family Christmas' this year but I'm positive we will do everything we can to make sure we have a safe time and still share what we can, knowing that in the not too distant future (as I write) we will all be able to meet up and hug like we've never hugged before.
