1. The person should not have told you what to get. In other words you've put a lot of thought into the gift. How about instead of asking somebody directly what they want, try gift-reconnaissance. Make a list of hobbies or interests then search along those threads. You know what they want but they've never said aloud that they do want it.
2. The gift is very specific in detail to match the desire or style of the person it's for.
3. The gift is something that they wouldn't normally purchase for themselves. This includes the frivolous and also replacement things for what they're just getting by with.
4. Surprise and grand presentation of the gift. Don't let the someone know you've purchased the gift until you whip out the nicely wrapped package. Give a crappy decoy gift then pull out the "big one" to launch them from "gift-depression" into "gift-ecstasy."
I'm frequently late at giving gifts, so i was thinking what if you didn't give a gift every birthday or Christmas, but you give a really nice gift every once in a while. In an abstract sense you are accumulating the quality and resources that you are going to put into getting the gift. A lot of times the things on my wants list are out of the price range of a traditional gift. I'm sure other people's lists are the same. This would mean I gave you something awesome every three years instead of something normal or mediocre every year. Some people get nice gifts to make up for lack of gifts in the past, but already knowing that this style of gift giving were kosher couldn't it remove the bitter feelings of not getting a gift from someone? Just a thought.
So what you're saying is....you're not getting me anything this year but next year I'm getting a horse?!?! I love that idea, kelly. But, I think if that's happening I want a card like every month that says something like: "It's coming!" "The BIG One!" and "Get ready to SWOON!" So I can get really excited about it.
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Here is my recipe for acquiring the perfect gift: All year round, when you're with someone, point at things you want and say "I want that!" Then when Christmas comes around, pray that they have strong memories of those moments and BAM they'll have an array of different ideas to get you. BAM. I get at least something i want hopefully. BAM. kittens and pocket watches.