How to choose the right Christmas gift

Christmas is about celebrating, relaxing, and gift giving

It is normal to be anxious and stressed when choosing a gift for a loved one. You can do more harm than good when you choose the wrong gift.

Below are some tips that will help you choose the right gift and avoid such problems.

Why gift?

Research done on the psychology of gift-giving has shown that there are two goals when gifting. The first goal is to make the recipient happy. This is going to depend on whether the gift is something they want.

The second goal is to strengthen the relationship between the recipient and the giver. This is achieved when the gift is thoughtful and memorable – it shows that the giver knows them well. This is because they have to figure out what the recipient might want without having to ask them directly.

If you want to get someone a gift they like, you just have to ask them. You can get them what they really want by using this approach. But it is not going to feel like there is thoughtfulness in the process.

Navigating social risk

There is a ‘social risk’ involved when gifting. This can leave you feeling anxious. A gift has the potential of improving the quality of the relationship between the recipient and giver because it increases feelings of connection, commitment, and bonding. If it is poorly received it can achieve the opposite.

How much is thought going to count?

Research has shown we tend to overestimate our ability to discern what gifts a person likes, and the gift that will strengthen the relationship.

There was a study done in 2011 where respondents were asked to think back to their wedding or a wedding they were guests. Recipients were asked to rate their appreciation for the gifts either listed on the registry or not. They were asked to estimate how well thought those gifts were.

Recipients said they preferred to get gifts that were on their list. But the givers assumed that gifts that were not on the registry were going to be considered to be more thoughtful and considerate.

Another assumption gift-givers made is thinking that gifts were going to be considered more thoughtful because they were more expensive. Recipients appreciate the inexpensive and expensive gift in similar measure. Most of them felt closer to the ones who gave them convenient gifts, such as gift certificates to a restaurant nearby instead of a distant upscale restaurant.

Psychology of cash

After all, they can choose to buy what they really want. Many people consider cash an unthoughtful gift because there is no effort put into it. It also puts a monetary value on the relationship.

In the winter season, the scarf is a valuable gift. It is a great way to stay warm during the colder months and the ultimate functional Autumn fashion accessory. There are many ways to style and make the most of your scarf this winter.

What about giving someone cash?

Chinese culture handles cash pretty well. You have to put it in a red envelope because it decommodifies the gift by enveloping it in a symbol of good luck. If you want to give someone cash, you need to be creative and look for ways of personalizing it. This is going to show you put some thought into the process of gifting them.

The best alternative to cash is gift cards. The benefit of giving someone a gift card is you have put some effort and thoughtfulness when choosing the gift card to purchase. A gift card should be your last resort. Consider other gifts first.

The best gift

If you want to gift someone and you don’t know what they want, then look for something practical that comes with a personalized touch. If you are having a hard time finding the right gift, it might be best to go with a flexible gift card because it is a safer option.