Buying a gift for someone you care about can be a real challenge. It comes with a lot of pressure: you want to give them something really meaningful, something they won’t forget in a hurry. Too many gifts are cast aside almost as soon as they’re received, giving at best a momentary glimmer of pleasure before being forgotten. Too many wardrobes have boxes stuffed in the back with gadgets bought in desperation for people who ultimately didn’t need them, use them or appreciate them.
Today we’re taking a look at some of the best presents you can buy that will leave a lasting impression.
Books
You honestly cannot buy a better present than a book, but there’s a gift to getting one that really light a person up.
You have several options: learn their tastes and try to pick a new book they’ll enjoy, go for a beautiful edition of a classic, or, more risky but more rewarding, gift them one of your favourite books. This is a great present because it’s extremely personal: you’re trusting them with something you really love as well as gifting them something.
This needs to be something that was formative for you, something really important rather than the thriller you enjoyed reading last year on the beach – the idea is you’re not just giving them a book you’re gifting them with some insight into yourself. It’s likely to go over well and never be forgotten!
Getting Personal
The best gifts are personal ones: presents that are based on an actual understanding of the person you’re buying for. If they aren’t personal they’re inherently disposable, or at least forgettable! Someone might go on to buy something really great with the gift certificate you get them but they won’t remember who bought it for them.
So, if you don’t know the person you’re buying for that well, chat to their friends first. What do they really enjoy and value? Where do they spend their time? If they’re a gamer, the last release on the PlayStation is a good bet – or better yet a slightly obscure quirky game from the backlist that’ll appeal to their inner nerd.
If you know they’re proud of their facial hair, then wrapping up some luxury shaving accessories is a great way to bring a smile to their face when they unwrap their gift, and of course this has the added advantage of giving them something that will be used every week or day, so they can’t forget!
