How To: Be A Good Gift Giver

I personally find myself to be a good gift giver. I don't mean to be saying this with the intent of bragging about myself, but rather to help those who are not. My brother happens to be the worst gift giver that I have ever met, and that is not his fault. Some people are good, and some people are bad. But nevertheless, it is a skill that can easily be improved. 

Step One: Take Notice. 

When shopping with a friend or just hanging out, try not to drift off and just nod at everything they say. If they seem interested in a certain item at a store, take notice. Over time you will start to see a pattern in the things that they like, which will help you when you want to find them a present that they will truly love. 

Step Two: Write it down. 

It may be exhausting to constantly try to remember what every single person you know would like as a present, so write it down. This does not mean that you need to carry around a pen and notepad with you, but if you have a smartphone, use it! There are notepad apps that can help you and this will make remembering a lot easier. 

Step Three: Plan Ahead.

When going shopping for a gift for your friend, you should already have an idea of what you want to get them. Don't go to the shops in the hopes that you will find something because this will make searching exhausting and you will probably just settle for something, rather than actually getting something that they will enjoy. If you plan on going into a certain store with the intention of buying them something that you know they will like, you will make the gift giving process a lot easier on yourself and a lot less stressful. Planning ahead is probably the most important steps in being a good gift giver because it provides you with the time to really think about what the person will like rather than what is at your convenience. 

Step Four: WRAP.

This step a lot of people forget or don't put any effort into. I personally hate when I receive a gift that hasn't been wrapped, or even worse if it was handed to me in the paper or plastic bag that the store gave them. It's not because I am being pretentious, but because it shows how much effort you put into the present. If you handed someone a present with it in the bag from the store, it shows that you went last minute shopping and didn't have time. It is really inconsiderate and let's be honest, it's not very pretty. I love wrapping paper and I think it shows how much time you put into the gift. 

If you follow these four steps I promise that you will be a great gift giver and your friend will open their present with the wonderful priceless face of "how did you know?". Being a good gift giver is more than handing over a present, it shows that you really care and know about that person. It gives them a great sense of love and comfort and this is why I absolutely love giving presents! :)