| Every year, we are faced with numerous | | | | encouragement ("Don't worry, things will get |
| occasions that force us to be truly creative and | | | | better, I'm here for you if you need me, my |
| think up some unique gift ideas, whether for our | | | | friend") or just to say we care ("Thank you for |
| family, friends, colleagues or party hosts. From | | | | your friendship, you are a great person and I |
| birthdays to Christmas - there are at least a | | | | appreciate you"). |
| dozen days each year when we want to make | | | | Once we know what the message should be, we |
| someone feel special, say 'thank you' or just | | | | should think about the type of relationship we |
| show our general appreciation for them. And | | | | have with the receiver. This is about the language |
| sometimes it might just be an act of politeness, | | | | of the gift. Is it professional only? Is it a close |
| something we ought to do because tradition or | | | | relative, a lover or a distant acquaintance? The |
| custom dictates so. Regardless of the reason | | | | closer the relationship, the more personal the gift |
| behind it, we want to get it right. | | | | should be. Very intimate gifts should be reserved |
| For most people this is not an easy task, even - | | | | to those relationships that are based on love, |
| or maybe especially - when we know the person | | | | while professional relationships clearly require more |
| we are giving to quite well. This might be | | | | conservative gift choices. |
| surprising at first but according to psychologists | | | | Lastly, the occasion, event or reason will give us |
| and anthropologists it is very 'human' to struggle | | | | the setting. Some gift-giving occasions will have |
| when it comes to adequately meeting our | | | | traditional gifts associated with them, such as |
| gift-giving obligations. The reasons are manifold: | | | | silver gift items for christenings, in which case you |
| firstly, we are concerned about communicating | | | | can opt for a 'safe choice'. In most cases, |
| the wrong message. A bad choice of gift could | | | | however, you are required to be a little more |
| upset the receiver or even risk the relationship | | | | creative and come up with your own idea - but |
| with him or her. Secondly, we are worried about | | | | you can definitely look at the occasion itself for |
| what the gift might say about us. Too much could | | | | guidance as to what to give. |
| be seen as over-the-top or arrogant but too little | | | | So far the theory but let's work through an |
| could be perceived as cheap, or simply mean that | | | | example to demonstrate just how easy |
| we don't care enough about the receiver. And | | | | thoughtful gift-giving can be with the right |
| lastly, most of us are perfectionists and just don't | | | | preparation. |
| like to get it 'quite right' and expect everything to | | | | The script: |
| be perfect. | | | | "Do not despair: Life is just about to begin! I care |
| So with all that pressure upon us, it is clearly | | | | a lot about you and I'm looking forward to |
| difficult to be inspired and creative when searching | | | | spending more quality time with you, now that |
| for thoughtful gift ideas. The closer the receiver | | | | you have entered the next phase in your life. I'm |
| as a person, the more important the relationship - | | | | here to share that experience with you". |
| whether business or personal - is to us, the | | | | The language: |
| greater the pressure on us and the harder we | | | | Close family (father), loving and open relationship. |
| find it to pick the right gift. | | | | Has a good sense of humour. |
| This reoccurring dilemma can be solved, however. | | | | The setting: |
| It is possible to get the message we | | | | Retirement is the occasion and the gift will be |
| communicate through our choice of gift spot on | | | | presented privately, over a family dinner to |
| and to ensure the act of giving strengthens the | | | | celebrate the occasion. |
| relationship, rather than putting it at stake. Panic | | | | The outcome: thoughtful retirement gift ideas - |
| clearly is not the solution here, rather we have to | | | | - A Guide to Retirement, providing useful advice |
| make a little effort and thoroughly think about | | | | on what to do once you hit that milestone. Whisk |
| what it is we want to say, who we are saying it | | | | away any concerns and listen to the advice and |
| to and in what context, and how much it is worth | | | | experience of others that have been there |
| to us - not just in monetary terms. | | | | before you. |
| The Scottish author and poet, George MacDonald, | | | | - A Breakfast Gift Basket to share with the |
| put it quite nicely: "If instead of a gem, or even a | | | | family: Now that time is not a constraint anymore, |
| flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought | | | | you can indulge in luxurious breakfasts with the |
| into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as | | | | family. |
| the angels give." | | | | - A special event or outing, such as a hot air |
| How then do we put the 'loving thought' into our | | | | balloon ride - life is not over yet, go and do |
| gift choice? | | | | something new and exciting, or fulfill a long-held |
| First of all, we need to decide what we want to | | | | dream. |
| say. Let's call it our script and entails much more | | | | If you follow this simple three-step guide, you |
| than a "Happy Birthday" or "Merry Christmas". Is it | | | | should be able to approach your next gift-giving |
| an expression of love and affection ("You mean | | | | occasion much more calmly, and who knows - |
| the world to me, I love you"), an expression of | | | | you might even enjoy it! |