Struggling to find the right gift? This article reveals expert strategies to become a thoughtful gift-giver, avoid common mistakes, and make your loved ones feel truly seen, appreciated, and impressed, all while considering ethical and environmental impacts.
The author, a self-proclaimed bad gift-giver, yearns to improve their skills, contrasting their random choices with their family's thoughtful selections. The article explores why many struggle with gifting, citing psychologist Emma Seppälä, who notes that consumption offers only short-term dopamine boosts and contributes to environmental waste. Historically, gift-giving built connections and loyalty, but also introduced the pressure of judging gifts and givers, making the process fraught. To choose the right gift, experts advise 'paying attention' to hints, genuine interests, and lifestyle, as personal stylist Oluwakemi Ajibare and gift consultant Eleonora Maso explain. Maso suggests focusing on the person, not the gift, reflecting their world, and adding an unexpected element. Common mistakes include choosing gifts based on personal preference, waiting until the last minute, and equating expensive gifts with impressive ones. The article also addresses responsible gifting, highlighting the significant increase in waste during holidays and the human cost of mass production. Recommendations include ethical shopping (vintage, independent makers, local, fair trade) and having conversations with loved ones about what they truly want. Ultimately, lasting happiness comes from experiences, service, and time in nature, rather than material possessions, suggesting alternatives like trips or meditation app subscriptions.
