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Chapter 20
CHOOSING AND
GIVING A GIFT
When you were a little girl, you probably made something in art class for special occasions like Christmas, Hanukkah, and Mother’s Day. Those pinecones covered in glue and glitter, little handprints in a plaster of Paris plate, and picture frames made of popsicle sticks will be treasured long after you have moved along to choosing store-bought gifts for friends and family.
The reason they mean so much is because they took time and effort, a rule of thumb for gift giving we should never outgrow.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have much money to spend. With a little time and effort, you can find just the right gift.
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YOU DO
Take note of people’s favorite colors, music, movies, books, and hobbies.
YOU DON’T
Pick something because you like it.
Why
You give someone a gift you are fairly certain they will enjoy. You don’t give a friend who loves the color red a pink cardigan because that’s your favorite color. Pink might be in the red family, but the two colors don’t really get along, and she will probably never wear the sweater.
YOU DO
Plan ahead and keep track of birthdays on a dry-erase board or calendar in your bedroom, or on your computer or phone.
YOU DON’T
Wait until the last minute to look for your mother’s Christmas present or a gift for your friend’s birthday.
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Why
Choosing just the right gift should be fun, but if you put it off until the last minute, you’ll get stressed. And what’s worse, it becomes a chore, which will likely result in your choosing a present that fairly shouts “She waited until the last minute!” You don’t have to wait until department stores are playing “Deck the Halls” to shop for Christmas. If you see a pair of earrings in September you know your mother will love, buy them and hide them away. (Just don’t forget where you put them.) If you know your friend is going on a cruise with her family for winter break, monogrammed luggage tags for her October birthday show you’ve thought ahead.
YOU DO
Take the time to wrap your gift nicely or put it in a fun gift bag.
YOU DON’T
Hand it to the recipient in the bag from the store where it was purchased or in the box it was mailed in.
Why
Which present would you look forward to opening more? The one in the wrinkled-up brown paper bag or the one in the polka-dot shiny paper with a big satin bow? Don’t be the person who brings the wrinkled-up brown paper bag. If you don’t have a knack for wrapping, use a gift bag, colorful tissue, and some pretty ribbon.
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A lady always removes the price tag and puts a gift receipt with the item if the store offers one, in case the item has to be exchanged for any reason.
A lady includes a card or tag with her name on packages or in gift bags.
A lady doesn’t say, “If you don’t like it, you can take it back” to the recipient as he or she is opening their gift. It is awkward and uncomfortable.