Are you feeling the pressure yet? There are three days left before Channakah, 9 Days left until Christmas, and 10 days left until Kwanzaa. Either way you should probably get your gifting strategy together sooner than later, because while gifting is a GIFT that you either born with or you’re not…..you can luckily still learn it if you pay attention. We aim to help you out here. Here are some guidelines to dodge someone returning your gift, or chucking it, or WORSE…..re-gifting it back to you years later. (DAD!….NOT OK…)
- Candles, Soaps, Perfumes, Cologne, Books, Shaving products, Gift Certificates *cough*at Confederacy*cough**cough* and everything else that you don’t really need to try on is your safest bet. Loose fitting sweaters and dresses, and scarves go into this too. Sunglasses shoes, and pretty much anything that needs to be sized or matched with the shape of someones face? DANGER!
- Men: No matter how cool the vacuum cleaner/wire trash can/benign household cleaning item is DON’T buy it for her. We don’t want to suggest that all she should be doing is cleaning house. The image associated to the gift is important. Laundry products from the Laundress are different because they help maintain the clothes in the best way. The Wool and Cashmere Shampoo is great for all of our precious sweaters. Ladies want to look/feel/smell amazing. Any gifts that help facilitate that is a WIN!
- If you have one of those friends that don’t seem to give any indication of stuff they like, just give them something YOU like that has some broad appeal. Who doesnt like picture books or gift certificates? No one.
- Ladies: Don’t buy him socks, sweaters or underwear. That’s mommy’s job!!! Cuff links! Fancy shaving products and soap and things like that he wouldn’t think of on his own is good.
- The best gifts can always include some element of surprise. Like if you bought him a TV you could hide the remote in a stocking or write directions to where you’ve hid the gift in your home….or at some place you guys both like. Don’t hide anything in his/her food! Choking or tooth chipping might take place and that isnt a good co-gift!
- Gadgets are good. For men and women. Have you seen the new iPod shuffle? It’s little! Day-glo colored computer mice, Even though bluetooths are cheesy they are always useful. Especially if you live in LA.
- As far as technology is concerned, there are so many fabulous developments every year that it is good to regress back to handmade things. Gifts involving knitting, and gardening (as long as they look super cute) are good gifts.
- For heavens sake WRAP the gifts….You can wrap a gift in almost anything, wrapping paper, newspaper, tissue paper, packing paper…and cloth! Here is a cool wrapping idea from Readymade Magazine
