Mistakes are part of life, and they aren’t a bad thing. Although you might feel embarrassed by making mistakes, they make you learn important lessons. But making a mistake while you were trying to be genuinely nice can make you feel guilty.
Gifting is supposed to strengthen relationships. However, making a mistake when choosing and giving a gift can sometimes ruin friendships and damage a relationship. It can be an uncomfortable and awkward moment.
But you can avoid such mishaps. Here are some mistakes people make when gifting and how to avoid them.
1. “That’s a bit excessive”
Showing concern or appreciating a friend or a colleague is a kind gesture. Giving an expensive gift comes from a place of generosity and good intentions. However, excessive gifting might come back to bite you.
Expensive gifts can easily create a negative reaction from a recipient. The receiver might feel indebted to return the favour. And if the recipient lives a modest lifestyle, they might feel embarrassed displaying a gift that’s too way above their lives.
An expensive gift can cause confusion about the nature of the existing relationship. Often, expensive gifts are exchanged among romantic partners or family.
How to Avoid it:
Ensure the gift is consistent with the recipient’s lifestyle. And if you’ve exchanged gifts before, stick to the usual amount.
2. The backhander
Gifting someone a dieting book, a makeup tutorial, or a gym membership card is not a good idea. You may mean well, but self-improvement gifts tend to send the wrong message. It can mean the recipient has something wrong they should fix.
Such gifts make a recipient feel crappy, and you’re trying to control them.
How to Avoid it:
You may already know how a gym membership or diet book can make the recipient feel. Never give these kinds of gifts unless someone specifically asks for them.
3. Just plain inconsiderate
Gifting is more than getting to a shop and buying anything. Buying a present that you know your friend or spouse would reject is quite inconsiderate. There are also presents that benefit a giver more than the recipient.
For instance, it would be inconsiderate to gift a wine decanter to someone abstaining from alcohol.
Some gifts may signal a deteriorating relationship, which might lead to a breakup or even divorce. It’s also hard to pick a gift if you don’t know what the recipient would want.
How to avoid it:
Sometimes talking to professional jewellers will help you avoid such mishaps. You can get advice on the right jewel for a loved one, instead of getting a random present that will appear inconsiderate.
4. Yes, it can be too personal
Gifting has boundaries too. Items like pyjamas or underwear are considered too personal and only fit for romantic partners or immediate family members. Giving clothes is a bad idea because you might get the wrong size or miss the style.
How to avoid it:
If you want to make the present meaningful, ensure you get the right size and style.
So, what have we learned?
It’s important to ensure your gifts send the right message. The right gifts strengthen a relationship and help you maintain mutual respect.
