As a child birthday parties were the highlight of my social calendar — however the thrill of unwrapping the pile of pretty packages in front of me was always short-lived when I remembered the heavy burden of drafting up thank you cards. As I grew older, the pile was reduced to a few special gifts and the thank you cards became a delight to write…somewhere along the way, age gave way to gratitude. Within a week I will unwrapping pretty packages and penning thank you notes for those who made my day more special with their kind gift.
Birthday gift giving and receiving can be a stressful experience, and for that I have asked Diane Gottsman to share her expert tips on birthday presents……
One of the most satisfying feelings in the world is giving a friend or loved one a gift and watching the joy as they unwrap the gift and appreciate your efforts. Gift giving is an expression of affection and there is an art to both giving and receiving a birthday (or any other occasion) gift.
When receiving a gift
- Always read the card first. Knowing who the gift is from before opening it gives you the chance to look them in the eyes as you smile and say thank you.
- Open your gifts slowly and calmly. Ripping into a gift too fast robs the giver of the joy of watching your expression. By the same token, don’t waste a lot of time by shaking the gift and guessing what might be inside. It becomes frustrating when there are several people waiting patiently for you to open their gift.
- Keep the card or gift tag together with the gift. This small task avoids confusion and makes it much easier to write your thank you notes.
- Watch your reaction. If you open a gift that is not your favorite, watch your facial expressions and keep your face smiling and happy. An unintentional look of confusion or disappointment will only serve to crush someone’s feelings and cause embarrassment. No matter what is under that wrapping paper, be gracious and enthusiastic.
- It’s a gift, not an obligation. If a guest attends but does not bring a gift, don’t assume the worst. The old saying, “You never know until you’re in someone else’s shoes.” holds true. The reason could be as simple as leaving the gift in the car or as personal as a family financial situation.
- Follow up with a personal thank you note. A handwritten thank you note is the icing to a great gift giving experience. Don’t delay.
When giving a gift
- Take the person’s interests into consideration when choosing a gift. Pay attention to details during previous conversations to pick up on ideas. Observe what your friend enjoys doing and listen to what she talks about when she is excited and having fun. Take note of her favorite color or what type of tea she drinks.
- It’s the thought that counts, not the cost. There’s never a need to overspend or strain your household budget. Instead of waiting until the last minute to select a gift, keep your eyes open and when you see something that you know your friend or family member will love, buy it and put it away until it’s time to give it to them. Take advantage of sales and after season discounts. Stock up on wrapping paper and be ready when the time is right for gift giving.
- Every detail counts. The manner in which a gift is wrapped and presented sends a message as to how much thought and planning went into the gift. A beautifully wrapped gift always looks more expensive.
- Include a receipt. If you are not sure of size, color or scent, don’t hesitate to include a gift receipt in the gift box or bag.
- Give gift cards with caution. If you are certain that the birthday girl will enjoy a gift certificate to a certain store or coffee shop, by all means give her a gift card with confidence, but generally speaking, a gift card is less personal than a well thought out gift.
Recommended Reading
The Protocol School of Texas | Diane Gottsman
Modern Theatre Etiquette | Diane Gottsman for Housewife Bliss
How to wear a hat | Diane Gottsman for Housewife Bliss
