How do you find that perfect gift. This article describes ways in which you can help to make finding that perfect gift a bit more pleasureable
Choosing the perfect gift for your partner is no easy task, you only have to look at the sight that bestows every shopping mall especially during the festive period of people particularly the male of our species walking around with a glazed expression on their faces. Asthe time gets nearer to Christmas this glazed expression is replaced by one of shear panic and horror as they realise they haven't a clue what to buy. This behaviour invariably leads to the panic buy or an unimaginative gift (see below).A recent survey carried out by Lands' End Direct Merchants www.landsend.co.uk, found that men's tempersincreased along with their heart rate. 48% of men regard it as worse than the stress of being dumped by their girlfriend, losing their job or moving home. Life events that cause the most stress include divorce, being fired and moving home. But many men are placing shopping for gifts high on that list, only a short way behind the stress of a divorce.The main things that increased male shoppers' stress levels included:
It's not only their heart rates which suffer but their wallets also suffer. Over half (52%) will be splashing out up to GBP500 this Christmas with a quarter spending up to GBP1,000. The men who spend the most are from Wales with nearly a quarter (24%) spending up to GBP2,000, followed by the Scots (35%) and the North (26%) who'll spend up to GBP1,000. The meanest in the GBP500-GBP1,000 group are the Southerners, with just 19% spending that much. The worst Christmas Gifts you can receive are as follows:
For Him
For Her
So how do you go about choosing the perfect gift ?Gifts are not always judged by how much they cost. You can spend a fortune on a gift but if the item is of no personal value to the recipient then it will not be considered with it's true value. The best gifts to receive are ones which have had a lot of thought put into them.Interests
What is the person you are buying for interested in Think of their hobbies or interests.
Personality What sort of personality are they? It's no use buying an adrenalin rushing Bungee jump experience if they are total couch potatoes.
Price Range What is the minimum and maximum you want to spend on them?If you see them on a regular basis listen to what they are saying throughout the year people will always discuss likes dislikes on choices of books, music etc. Write them down it's easy to forget when the time approaches to buy the gift. Do they collect things, if they do it is easy to buy things which follow their chosen theme.
Inspiration from the web These days it is so much easier and quicker to browse and buy from the internet. You can search for inspiration much more quickly than trailing around the shopping mall. Remember to allow time for delivery or items which may be unexpectedly out of stock. The internet is also a good guide to what are this years fashionable "must have's" are. If you follow these rules shopping should not be so stressful and Christmas morning may result in grateful thanks instead of world war 3 or another trip to the shops on boxing day to exchange all those unsuitable gifts.
