Written By: C. Michael Smith
The Valentines Season is nearly upon us. It’s the season of giving to the one that means the most. It can also be the season of anxiety if you are a guy looking for the “perfect” gift for your lady. Let’s discuss what makes a gift really great, let’s discover what women really want in a gift, let’s determine how to choose something she’ll really treasure, and let’s talk about the gift-giving no-no’s you should avoid.
What makes a gift really great?
A great gift is personal. It fits the recipient. It let’s them know that they are truly special in your eyes and it shows them how well you know them.
A great gift is appropriate. It fits the occasion and your relationship to the recipient.
A great gift is perceptive. It shows that your are attentive to the recipient’s tastes, needs, wants, and desires.
A great gift is selfless. It is given with a desire to please the recipient without expecting anything in return.
A great gift is generous. It requires a generous amount of the giver’s time, effort, planning, or creativity.
A great gift is moving. It elicits an emotional response from the recipient. It moves, it pampers, it surprises, it humors, it pleases, and it satisfies.
A great gift is presented in a great way. It is presented with as much thought and care as you gave in choosing the gift, itself.
What do women really want in a gift?
It’s really not the thought that counts, but the thinking. Women want to know that you put time, effort, and energy into your gift. They want a gift that reveals how attentive you are to their tastes, needs, wants, and desires. They want a gift that shows your feelings for them, your motives towards them, your thoughtfulness, your appreciation, and your generosity. The gift you give her will reveal to her how well you know her and understand her.
How do you choose something she’ll really treasure? To get a potential gift in mind, ask yourself the following questions:
What are her personal goals and ambitions?
What are her likes and dislikes?
What is she passionate about?
What is she interested in?
What does she enjoy doing in her spare time?
What would be a prized addition to her special collection?
Is there anything that she has always wanted to do?
Is there anywhere that she has always wanted to go?
Remember that your lady wants a gift that reveals how well you know her, so once you have a potential gift in mind, ask yourself the following questions:
Could I explain to her why I chose this gift and why I want her to have it?
Does it say what I want it to say?
Does it fit her?
Is it appropriate?
Will this gift make her feel like I know her?
Is it selfless?
Is it generous, yet affordable?
Will she feel unique, loved, cherished, and admired?
Will she be pleased?
If you can’t answer “yes” to all of these questions, then reconsider your choice.
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What are the gift-giving no-no’s you should avoid?
Giving gifts based on what you think your lady can use rather than giving what she can really use. Remember that we are trying to show her how well we know her, so plan carefully.
Waiting for the last minute to shop. How can you give a thoughtful gift that shows your lady how well you know her and how much you appreciate her if you wait until the last minute to do your shopping. Plan early and shop early. Procrastination will show in your gift giving.
Spending too much or too little time, energy, creativity, or money. Find a happy balance. Don’t under do it and don’t overdo it. Remember it’s the thinking that counts, not the price. Increasing the price of your gift doesn’t necessarily increase the value.
Giving gifts that hint of self-improvement on the recipient’s part may not be well received. A gym membership for your lady who has put on a few extra pounds may not be a good idea, unless you know specifically that she has requested that and will appreciate it. Even then, I would be sure to include some smaller, more personal gifts, also.
Gift certificates are pretty uninspiring gifts, unless you give a gift certificate for something the recipient has always wanted to do