How Soon Can I Re-Gift This?

Every gift deserves a two part response; acknowledgement of the gift and the giver.

The family is assembled around the Christmas tree. The gifts are piled high and resplendent in their sparkly glory. The anxiety is palpable. Pressure mounts. What do I say when I open a bomb gift? How will I control the look on my face? Why must this gifting thing be so public? Will my gifts hit the mark?

1. Ask your gift target for a wish list during a non-gifting season. Encourage fantasy gifts, selfish gifts, outrageous gifts, unconventional gifts, etc. Prepare your list as an example for the person. These lists are always more productive during a season free from gift expectations.

2. The Golden Rule instructs us to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The Platinum Rule instructs us to “Do unto others as they would have you do unto them”. Remember this is not YOUR gift. Notice what the person enjoys. What do they do in their free time? When does the face brighten? When does the energy lift?

3. Pleasure looks different to different people. Someone who travels frequently would not long for airline tickets. However, for one who is place bound, airline tickets would be a welcome treat. It might force that accountant to take some time off for “forced fun”. An adventurer may want the gift of your permission to go on a jaunt. A people person may most enjoy a gift in his or her name to a meaningful cause or charity.

4. As our reading tastes vary by personality type, your safest bet would be to give a gift certificate to a book seller. Perhaps an electronic book reader would be valued. The strategic visionaries prefer books about philosophy and science. The “people” persons generally appreciate self help books or relationship books. The sequential, organized, responsible person may want a biography or a history. The action-seeking adventurer will probably not want a book, period.

5. Brainstorm forward for gift ideas. Think about spring activities, such as yard work, golf, gardening, Harley riding, exploring nature, etc. Then think summer, such as water sports, picnics, travel, swimming, etc. For autumn, think about cooking implements, spa treatments, feathering your nest in some comfortable way, a fire pit, etc. Then consider winter and its pleasures. DVDs, board games, fireplace equipment, Wii games can bring a family together and provide lasting memories.

6. The last tip is a gift for you, the reader. What NOT to say when opening a gift; “Why did you give me this thing?” “What do you expect me to do with this?” And the worst, “I don’t want this.”

Every gift deserves a two part response; acknowledgement of the gift and the giver. Even if you receive an ugly, unwanted, useless item you say, “Oh, nice,” or if it is awful, “How interesting”, then you say, “How nice of you” or “Thank You” or “I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”