| Has this situation ever happens to you? | | | | year? |
| Situation # 1 | | | | And much more situations that are sometimes |
| Once, I am moving to a new job and my | | | | are painful, ashamed and above of all are |
| colleague were arranging farewell party for me. | | | | enjoyable. |
| During the party, they handed me a gift. It was | | | | It happens all the time, the misreading of the |
| wrapped beautifully and quite heavy. I wonder | | | | meaning of a gift. What are we saying and what |
| what’s inside. Towards the end of the | | | | are we hearing? Giving a gift should be an easy |
| party, they asked me to open the gift. To my | | | | exchange. Instead, it becomes an ordeal. Or is it |
| surprise, it was a psychology book. A psychology | | | | simply hard to please someone? Might be, just our |
| book? Why did on earth they bought me this | | | | attitude that doesn’t bother whether the |
| book? I wouldn’t mind to receive book as | | | | person like the gift or not. We have done our |
| a gift, but why psychology book. My boss | | | | duty by buying and giving the gift. |
| seemed to know what was on my mind. He | | | | Choosing gifts can be very tedious, especially if |
| asked, “Why do you get a psychology | | | | you do not have any idea what the other person |
| book for her?” And the answer was, while | | | | would like to receive. For some people to some |
| discussing with one of my colleague sometimes | | | | extent won’t give a gift at all, just |
| ago, she found out that I liked psychology. Yes, I | | | | because they’re afraid it will be rejected. |
| did like that subject but at least get me on more | | | | Some people tend to give what they themselves |
| interesting title, not the one with basic | | | | want. |
| …….. Well, what can I say? | | | | But, there are people that go through the gift |
| Situation # 2 | | | | giving problem by doing a little research. Try to |
| Last 2004, a friend of mine Suzie, assembled at | | | | look for clues when speaking to the person. |
| her aunt’s to exchange Christmas gifts. | | | | Usually there’ll be something that he/she |
| Her uncle was over 65 years. On this occasion he | | | | needs. You can try to find out from his/her family |
| turned to his sister and said out of the blue: | | | | or when you both go shopping together. For men |
| “Here, have you seen this magazine on | | | | especially, they are good at divulging their needs. |
| golf? I’ve been getting this magazine all | | | | From here, you will be able to plan what gift to |
| year and I can’t imagine why – I | | | | buy. |
| have no interest in golf. Would you like it?” | | | | One of the secrets of giving gifts is to know the |
| He tossed the issue back on the table, quite | | | | personality of the person who will receive the gift. |
| baffled by the magazine and its appearance in his | | | | In this way, you will be able to think of some gift |
| mailbox very month. Suzie’s cousin shot | | | | ideas that will suit the personality of the person |
| out of the room. She then, found him in the | | | | who will receive the gift. |
| kitchen breaking up with laughter. “It was | | | | There are also others that often gamble, |
| my present to him last year:” he said, | | | | especially those who like doing last minute |
| laughing through his hurt and loving his uncle | | | | shopping. You will tend to buy something that you |
| anyway. | | | | yourself fancy without really considering the other |
| Situation # 3 | | | | person’s taste. |
| Once, my friend Frank forgot to buy a present | | | | Of course, taste is not really the issue here. |
| for his girlfriend. It was Christmas Eve. He went | | | | Buying gifts require lots of imagination. Do your |
| to his mom in dismay. “Oh, not to | | | | research and look for creative, unique, |
| worry,” his mom said, throwing open her | | | | personalized and uncommon gifts. Ideally, gifts |
| wardrobe door. “Look, I have a half a | | | | should not be bought just for a person’s |
| dozen bottles of perfume. You know I never | | | | need, but also for his enjoyment, enrichment and |
| wear perfume, but people keep giving it to me. | | | | well-being. And, the person that received the gift |
| Here, choose which one that suits her and take it. | | | | somehow or rather knew that a lot of thought |
| I don’t want them.” And, could you | | | | had gone into that selection of gift and it is not a |
| guess what Frank had bought for his mom that | | | | last minute decision. |