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PaperclipPerfector  7hr ago (text post)   110 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for November 24, 2024

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My dad's theory of gifts has long been that the best gifts are something you'd want, but would never buy for yourself because you wouldn't spend the money. To this I would add things that the recipient wouldn't think of or know about, though this always has more danger of the recipient not actually liking it. There's a long theory of "buying experiences" but I generally try to avoid it unless I can personally take them there and know their schedule well enough to know they can go with me, I hate the gift card as a concept ever since I worked retail for a couple years and realized how few giftcards are ever actually used.

I broadly agree with both your dad's and your theory. The general issue with personalized gift-giving, is that often you end up muddling into subjects in which the gift-reciever is more knowledgable and idyosincratic than yourself: For example, I have a friend who really likes romantic novels, and I don't know much about them, should I gift her a critically acclaimed one? A silly, but popular one? Am I going to end up gifting something that she has already read?

My own advice, that doesn't overlap with what you've already said, would be:

  • Look for things on the edges of the area of overlap of your interests: You might not be able to figure out which are the best rugby jersey to gift your rugby-obsessed cousin, but you might be able to find him a great rugby-related book.
  • Rather than "gift experiences", gift consumables: Even if they're willing and able to buy it, a coffee-head will always appreciate a good bag of coffee.
  • Contary to the neuroticism of my first paragraph, an obvious gift is often a good gift, most people aren't thinking too deeply about this: A lion plushie for your friend's newborn named Lionel is likely to stand out, the bar for thoughtfulness is that low.

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