Gift Appreciation: It is About How You Give, Not the Cost

One of my family members was celebrating her birthday and it took me time to decide what I should give. The reason being that I wanted my gift to be appreciated.

It is not enough for us to give but we all are happy if our gifts are appreciated. Most times people complained that they are not appreciated or well appreciated, it is time to stop blame shifting, you and I should examine ourselves, most especially how we give gifts.

I have discovered that gift appreciation is a timeless art. It actually goes beyond the monetary value of the offering. Over time, occasions have thought me that it is the thoughtfulness, the sentiment as well as the effort behind our giving that truly touch the heart. 

For example, be it a handmadetrinket or a simple handwritten note.  It should be highlighted that the essence of giving lies in the sincerity of you and I as a giver. The last part of this article addresses how you can give so you can be appreciated.

I have ruminated over the fact that in our world which is often consumed by materialism, it is not indubitable that the significance some gifts is often overshadowed by the price tag of such gift.

I have also discovered that the most valued gifts are the ones that speak volumes about the giver's understanding of the gift recipient. I have because of this gave cognisance to the receivers likes, dislikes, dreams and their aspirations.

Do you know that sometimes appreciating a gift is akin to acknowledging the effort invested in selecting or creating such gift? My understanding is that it is about the emotions embedded into every stitch of a homemade scarf or the hours we spent looking for a perfect vintage record.

Personally, I am conscious of the fact that the act of giving is an expression of love, gratitude or friendship. It is more than a mere exchange of goods between the giver and the recipient.

It is good to know that the value of a gift appreciates over time. Do not think about this in terms of market price but think about it in terms of the memories and emotions it generates.

For example, a simple trinket may become a cherished keepsake, which can remind one of the special bonds shared with such giver. This has the potential of serving as a tangible symbol of the intangible bond that adds value to our lives.

This has made me to realise that gift appreciation is absolutely a celebration of human bond. You can now see it as recognizing and valuing the essence of our hearts as givers and not the digits on a gift price tag.

My opinion is that you and I should embrace the beauty of heartfelt gestures. We should cherish the love they convey, because later, it is actually about how we give and not about the cost.

How should you give to be appreciated?

I earlier said that the giver most times desire to be appreciated. This is normal as human beings. It is the human nature.

We therefore need to take practical steps for our gifts to be appreciated.

You and I need to focus on the recipient's preferences and interests. Their emotions are also important.

Personalise the gift.

Make sure that you tailor the gift to the recipient's tastes and interests.

You should consider for example, their hobbies and passions as well as preferences when selecting or when creating the gift.

This type of gifts can show thoughtfulness. It can also show that you have put extra effort or go extra mile into understanding the recipient of the gift.

Does the gift make sense?

You need to opt for gifts that have significance or sentimental value.

The reason is because this is about whether the gift is a symbolic item, a shared memory or a heartfelt message.

Gifts that make sense will resonate deeply with the recipient and build stronger emotional connections between the giver and the recipient.

What is the occasion?

This is where matching the gift to the occasion and its significance becomes necessary.

Whenever I am attending any occasion such as birthday, anniversary, graduation, I consider the appropriateness of any gift that I will give to enhance its impact and relevance.

I choose quality over quantity.

My idea of giving is that it is important to priorities quality. An expensive item is not synonymous with quality. It is not about the price tag.

For example, I believe that a well-crafted gift regardless of the monetary value can be more appreciated than an extravagant item.

How do we present the gift?

We should pay attention to how we present a gift. Why? Do you know that a beautifully wrapped item or a handwritten card note can add a personal touch of sincerity and care?

Do not give because you are expectant.

I always gave because I wanted to give. It is up to the giver to reciprocate any gesture. You should give without expecting anything in return. This is about bringing joy and happiness to others. It is not about looking for reciprocation.

Listening ears and observation

These have helped me a lot. I paid attention to any recipient’s suggestions and preferences. Most especially in our everyday conversations.

Should you create experiences?

I always considered giving experiences than just material items. This starts from small things such as tickets to a cinema or a knitting class. This has helped me to understand that shared experiences build lasting memories and fortifies bonds.

What of cultural differences?

You should be careful here. Why? We need to take into consideration some cultural norm and traditions when giving our gifts. This is more relevant when it comes to diverse social settings. A culture may appreciate a gift and the other might not.

 A WORD FOR THE RECIPIENT

It is good to express gratitude when you have received gifts. This is regardless of the size or significance of such gifts. You need to acknowledge the thought and effort behind the gesture. The reason being that this can reinforce the bond between you and the giver.