2 October 2011
the art of gift giving
What makes the perfect gift? Save the antagonizing shopping trip and take heed of these tips
A gift can say so much about you and your regard for the intended recipient. How do you make your gift giving matter in a world where everybody you know already arguably has enough?
If only there were an exact science to gift giving – when, how, what, and how often? Unfortunately it’s a little more complicated and while there are no hard and fast rules, there are many possible missteps that can be made. With this in mind, we turned to Jocelyn Wilson, The Studio of Tableware’s founding director. With 30 years in the business of gift giving, Jocelyn knows a thing or two about how to pick the perfect gift. Here, she shares with us some tips with us on ‘The Art of Giving’.
Tip One.
Spontaneity. It doesn’t have to be Christmas, a birthday or an anniversary to give a gift. In fact, an unexpected gift is usually one that will bring the receiver the most joy. Plus, there is arguably less pressure and expectations (in other words, less chance of failure) by giving a gift on an unexpected occasion.
Tip Two.
Contemplation. Think about it, this really is the best advice I can give. Think about the person. Think about the way they dress, their home, their likes, dislikes and aspirations. Think about past conversations and you may recall a passing comment that assists you with your choice of gift. Size definitely doesn’t matter. Small and timeless beats ostentation every time. Spend more on small things. Spend less on large ones. People remember things they can carry with them. Lastly, place the emphasis on quality and design. To quote Professor Walter Gropius, “design is neither an intellectual nor a material affair, but simply an integral part of the stuff of life, necessary for everyone in a civilised society”. Your reliance on renowned brands will ensure design integrity.
Tip Three.
Presentation matters. They say you should never give a gift unwrapped. Take heed of this and pack and wrap the gift with care and attention to detail. If your wrapping skills are little under par then perhaps consider leaving this step to someone else (a.k.a the professionals). A well-wrapped gift will look as though care and thought has been a part of the process. A wrapped gift signifies the very act of gift giving, no matter what the gift itself actually entails.
Tip Four.
Write a card. This especially applies to men. Women love cards – and no, just signing your name under the token ‘happy anniversary’ won’t do, even if the card comes equipped with a motorized song. Write something personal. It won’t only make your other half happy, but will gain you well earned points with her friends as well.
For gift giving ideas visit Jocelyn at The Studio of Tableware.
