Filipinos are already scrambling to find the ideal gifts for their friends and loved ones as Christmas is nearly a month away. Malls and markets are seeing a lot of heavy foot traffic from eager shoppers as they navigate through various sections in search of the perfect present.
Some people plan out their gifts for months, carefully organizing their time, effort, and budget to acquire the best gift they can give to others. Meanwhile, others prefer to search at the spur of the moment when shops are releasing new items or rolling out discounts.
Regardless of which type of gift giver you are, we all fall into a rut now or later when finding the perfect gift. If you’ve run out of ideas on what to give to others, here are some suggestions worth looking at:
Giving an experience
Want your gift to be something practical yet not too serious? Something that the recipient will find memorable even after using it? Try gifting a voucher to a key tourist destination, like a hotel, spa, amusement park, or staycation. Whether for a friend or a loved one, they’d feel grateful that someone offered them a chance to escape hectic schedules or bad days.
Most vouchers usually last a year or so, depending on the destination’s availability. But giving recipients time to plan their trip or reschedule things makes the gift more endearing.
Bonus points if you get to tag along.
Something to read
Although we’re at an age where people depend immensely on gadgets, most people retain traditional hobbies, like reading. And within our immediate circle, we all know someone who loves to read novels, comics, or other similar material. While most of these are now available online, some books are rare finds and contain unique content not available digitally.
It may seem like a lot of work and maybe even pricey, but imagine the look on their faces once you present them with a rare issue of a book or a special edition from their favorite author.
Encourage self-care in everyone
We’re way past the point of thinking our mental health isn’t as important as physical health. After the grueling two years and more challenges in the future, we all deserve a break that makes us feel better immediately.
Those who don’t have the luxury of getting away from it all can find refuge in care packages with products meant to soothe troubled minds. You can pack their favorite snacks, essential oils, skincare products, or self-help books, among other items.
One of the best things about it is you can give it to anyone, male, female, young, old, etc. Make sure to curate the items properly to get the best results (specifically, positive reactions from your recipients).
It’s also suitable for those who can’t decide on a single gift because the local market and shopping malls offer numerous options in different gift categories. These specially-curated boxes are a treat to have. It means that you’re thinking about your recipients’ needs and wants.
Pointers to make the gift searching worthwhile
Finding the perfect present to give isn’t always a piece of cake. Sometimes external factors play a role in keeping us from securing the goods. But if there’s a will, there’s a way, and hardly anything can stop us if we put our minds to the task.
Yet to avoid stressing out over gift-buying, here are some reminders to guide you this season:
Budget your expenses
Some people think the best gift has hefty prices—but that’s not always true. Breaking your bank for the sake of buying a gift is not only impractical but also dangerous, especially in the midst of a global recession and inflation.
If you’re planning to give gifts to several people, try buying items in bulk since it’s comparatively cheaper. While not many malls offer discounts on bulk buying, some online and physical stores do, so it’s best to research before making that purchase.
Go online and skip the line
The Philippines, during the Christmas season, even a few months before it, is a bustling place to be. Vendors line up the streets while Christmas shoppers flock to malls or shopping centers. Not everyone can thrive in that environment, and they often feel discouraged looking for gifts when they think of going up against the traffic from the people and vehicles.
All hope is not lost—thanks to the advent of technology and prolific e-commerce platforms. Shoppers can simply go online to browse through a variety of products that they see fit for their recipient. They don’t have to fall in line or spend a lot of energy and resources going from place to place.
Shoppers can even send their gifts directly to their recipients. Some shops offer gift-wrapping or dedication services to make the item/s more presentable.
One downside to going online is that people must wait for stocks to replenish once it runs out. But it only takes a matter of time, and merchants usually give out updates on social media.
Find their interests
If you’re worried about finding the best gift for someone, look at their interests. It’s one step closer to finding the perfect present because it’ll hit close to their hearts. For instance, people who love investing in their workspace will appreciate organizational items or accessories like a keyboard, mouse, or headset.
Meanwhile, those who love baking or cooking can appreciate a new apron, kitchen tools, or utensils.
The possibilities are endless. But also try to get them something they don’t have yet to make the gift more worthwhile.
Gift-giving may be a well-loved Christmas tradition that we all enjoy. But in the spirit of the holiday, one of the most significant things we can do is share our blessings with others and spread joy as much as we can.
Nonetheless, these gift-buying tips and ideas will inspire you as you search for the perfect gift for the people you love. You can even keep them in mind for the next Christmas or so. Happy shopping!