Wednesday 25 September 2013

Gifts: What Women Really Want?

Wondering what to get a lady on her birthday or on a big event? Here are some sure-fire things that are bound to make her jump with joy! But remember, it is not just about the gift, but about the presentation too! Always pay extra attention to wrapping. Even the most expensive gifts can be dulled if they are duct-taped haphazardly with newspaper, particularly if given to women. This said, it’s time to turn our attention towards what should be inside the package.

Jewelry

Precious and semi-precious jewelry makes for a great gift for close relationships. Giving a girlfriend something sparkly means that the man is solidifying his commitment to her. Similarly, a piece of jewelry for a mother, a daughter, a sister, and a wife are a great idea, particularly on special occasions.

Perfume:

Perfume certainly makes a very personal gift. What a woman decides to wear as her scent is extremely unique and subjective. Hence, a man needs to know her really well to be able to successfully choose a perfume. It is therefore best to stay away from such purchases unless the woman has specifically asked for a certain scent.

Gadgets

If the lady is not very fond of jewelry she can also be given a fun gadget. It could be an iPhone or an electric organizer or even a tab. These devices are normally pricey and are a great way to show her that she deserves all the good things in life. There are a variety of devices out there to choose from. To add to the present, the sender can also load these equipments with the latest applications and software to make the experience more fun.

Gift certificate

Gift certificate makes an ideal present for acquaintances. But if given to a girlfriend it could spell disaster. While she may like picking something out at her man’s expense, it may leave her feeling uncared for.

However, in case the lady loves to buy through gift certificates, she can be gifted one along with a present to ensure she does not feel ignored.

Drinks and Food

Tasty wines and chocolates are a great gift for women. There are several companies out there that offer thoughtful gift baskets which include special delicacies such as, gourmet chocolates, Belgian chocolates, Californian wines, fruits and towers of Godivas. These baskets can also include hot chocolates, fruits, special selection of coffees and teas, and the like. They make a great gift for food enthusiasts.

Giving and receiving can be an extremely stressful job for anyone, particularly for men in relationships. Women see every gift as an expression of a man’s value of the relationship and of his feelings for her. Due to this, it might seem a bit hard to figure out what present would be appropriate. The good news is, most ladies drop enough hints for their men to pick on, and many even provide specifics if asked. It, hence, becomes the duty of the man to listen carefully and put in some effort to make the gift-giving a beautiful experience. However, if getting thoughtful is hard, the best road to take is to get in touch with a gift basket maker. There are several companies in California that are known to provide creative gift ideas. They can customize baskets as per the wishes of the giver.

Artisans can be asked to add edibles, small tokens of love, grooming products, souvenirs, travel kits, and a lot more to the basket to make it extra special for the lady. They can also be given special instructions for delivery.

Thursday 12 September 2013

Gifting Etiquettes: Can I Expect My Gift be Reciprocated?

Gifts serve the purpose of sharing happiness and warming up a friendship. However, there are times when gifts come with an expected string of returned favors. Should a present be reciprocated or not depends on several factors.

Gift giving etiquettes during the holidays:

Gift giving is an anticipated tradition during holidays among close friends and family members. But the decision of gifting a fellow colleague, boss, a dinner party host and a few neighbors, can become a hassle and an extremely expensive chore. Following are some questions that can lift the burden off the giver and the receiver:

1. If a person receives a gift by someone who is not on the gift-receiving list should the receiver feel the need to purchase a gift immediately?

It is not compulsory to reciprocate, but it is important to accept the present with a smile and say something like, "How thoughtful” or “Thank you so much."

2. Is it important to give the boss a gift, if yes, what should be appropriate?

It is important to have a close look at the gift giving policy of the company and make sure no rules are breached. There is no compulsion to giving a boss a gift. A better idea is to buy something collectively with the entire staff for the boss.

3. Apart from the family, who all should be included in the gift giving list?

The decision to send someone a gift is very personal and is normally reserved for those individuals that have been extremely influential in the givers life or business. A holiday gift basically shows appreciation for a service or job well done.

4. Do gag gifts make a safe gift giving option?

Gag gifts can be extremely offensive and can be mistaken for a sentiment not intended by the gift giver. They are a very bad option, unless the giver is confident about the sense of humor of the receiver.

5. Is it okay to respond with a gift card?

Gift cards are certainly catching up as popular and safe choices for acquaintances, for newly married, newly single, or anyone who is choosey. A gift card from a big store is a great choice than a shop that has limited collection of merchandise.

Is enclosing a gift receipt rude?

It is extremely thoughtful to put in the gift receipt with the gift. This gives the receiver a chance to return the product for another size or to choose something else which might be more appropriate or flattering.

Best Reciprocal Gifts for Bosses, Clients and Collogues

Here are some of the most popular gifts for business associates:

For the boss:

Ø  Gift Baskets that include cookies, muffins, and homemade cakes

Ø  A combined gift from the whole team

Ø  A gourmet wine gift basket

For the colleague:

Ø  Gift card

Ø  Stationary

Ø  Tea or coffee mug with dry tea or coffee enclosed

Ø  Decorative candles

For a client:

Ø  A fruit basket with farm fresh oranges, seasonal fruit, and the like

Ø  A box of chocolates or candy

Ø  Tickets to a basketball or baseball game

Ø  A wine bottle

Ø  All this should go with a thank you note


Don’ts for business associates:

Ø  Any kind of personal items

Ø  Perfume or cologne

Ø  Massages or Spa treatments

Ø  A vacation

Reciprocation depends upon the receiver’s personal choice. Hence, there is no need to feel offended if one does not receive a gift back. Similarly, there is no reason to get pressurized for getting something for someone who is not on one’s gift list. The very basic rule of reciprocation is to go by one’s heart and good intentions.