Finding The Perfect Gift - Part 3

Recently while out searching in the UK for new gift ideas to add to our range here at Give Gift Boutique, I must admit I wasn’t entirely focused on work! I was trying to find a gift for a good friend. Recently they had helped me out in a big way and they never expected anything in return. I wanted to get something to thank them, but what was that something going to be? Walking around flower shops at Harrods in London, then around the gift hampers in Fortnum and Mason, I didn’t quite know what I wanted to give them.

Can you identify with this feeling, as we have said in some of our previous posts, finding the perfect gift can be tough! We already looked out how knowing the recipient's wants can help, this week though we want to focus on Part 3 - The recipient's needs!

Gifts come in all shapes and sizes, prices and colours, what would be most cherished by your friend or family member? Sometimes the simplest of gifts, the smallest of things bring a huge smile to peoples faces, why? Because it is something the recipient needs! How though can you know what they need?

ASK THEM! That’s most likely the easiest way, the normal response would probably be “I don’t need anything” or “I need money!” (we all know that feeling). It’s true though sometimes our friends do not want to bother us, so they will not give us the answer we're looking for, or we might want to surprise them, asking them would take the joy out of giving. What can be done?

Step 1: Be observant, keep on a close watch on your friend or family member, take note of their own circumstances. Are they young or old? Single or Married, divorced, employed, retired? How is their health? Their job? Their family? When you fully know and understand their circumstance you will be able to give thought as to what gifts will address their current needs.

Step 2: Talk to your friend's friends! If you are still a little unsure ask their family they will be happy to help and may know more about their situation and give you a great idea for a much-NEEDED gift.

Step 3: Take a walk in their shoes! And when you have finished with their shoes take them back, because that is called stealing! Having an empathetic view of our friend's situation will help us work out just what they need. Do they have a stressful job? What would you need (a spa day!) Have they got a newborn baby? What would you need? (a house, a family, a manual on parenting). Or are they unwell? What would cheer them up? (chocolate buy me all the chocolate!) Whatever their situation, gain some insight by imagining yourself in their shoes or asking others who have similar experiences.

If you try the steps above you will sure to have a wealth of information to help you choose that perfect gift for your much-loved friend!

As for me, I need to find this gift, I better find their shoes and take a walk… I’ll put them back after… honest!