| OR SHOULD WE EVEN GIVE GIFTS ANYMORE! | | | | KNOWING the person. This is a great example of |
| Every time a holiday or birthday comes around, many | | | | where knowledge is power. (My wife listens all |
| of us get that 'sinking' feeling inside along with the | | | | through the year for clues as to what it is that our |
| thought, "Is it his birthday, AGAIN?" "What am I | | | | family members would like to have.) What would the |
| going to get her THIS Christmas?" "He is impossible | | | | person like to have, that they won't likely buy for |
| to shop for, he already has everything." "Last year I | | | | themselves. When you get this right, it reveals that |
| got her this beautiful sweater and she already had | | | | you have taken time and effort to discover what |
| one just like it." "His other grandparents will get him | | | | they want and got it for them. |
| something more than we can afford." This list of | | | | 2. Sometimes we don't have the opportunity to get |
| 'thoughts' could go on forever and we would still not | | | | ideas for gifts because we live at a distance or are |
| know what to buy for our grandson. I hope to give | | | | not in close enough relationship to learn. Then you |
| you some help solving the problem of 'THE GIFT.' | | | | have to depend on someone else providing that |
| Recently, a program on the radio discussing a book | | | | information to you, (wife, sister, parent, children, |
| titled, "Scroogenomics" (author's name is Joel | | | | etc.). It still requires time and effort to find the right |
| Waldfogel) got me to thinking, once again, about this | | | | gift for that person. Hobbies and special interests can |
| universal problem. On the show they talked about | | | | be a clue, but it still is important to know what the |
| several interesting aspects of gift giving. Here is my | | | | person wants. |
| take on a few ideas that may help you. | | | | 3. Now we start thinking about things that a child |
| If you buy a gift for a $100, you expect that the | | | | may not have, but that he might enjoy. A few of |
| person you give it to would appreciate it at least | | | | the things we enjoyed as children can be brought |
| $100 worth. Well, it is not that easy. Each of us value | | | | into the present age, but many of them cannot since |
| things differently, so if your $100 gift is something | | | | they have been upstaged by the latest electronic |
| that the other person really wants, then you have hit | | | | gizmo. If we start thinking of things that we see |
| a home run and they might value it at a $125 or | | | | other children playing with and enjoying, that can |
| more. If, as is sometimes the case, it may not be | | | | provide clues. When we are dealing with kids gifts, |
| something they really want, then the value goes | | | | remember that size is one of the factors in the mind |
| down. This is illustrates 'perceived value.' Another way | | | | of a child. A bigger gift often carries more value than |
| to look at it is that when we get a gift, it sometimes | | | | a small one. You can remember that from when you |
| isn't as valuable to us as it cost the giver. In fact, | | | | were a kid. Appearance, size, color and design all add |
| Waldfogel and others actually translate this | | | | to the visual impact and perceived value in a child's |
| phenomenon into a discount percentage. The | | | | eye. Creative and uncommon gifts are always |
| estimates range to as much as a whopping 75% of | | | | appreciated. When you as a dad or grandma give |
| the purchase value of the gift is lost in the view of | | | | something to a child, there is also a sentimental |
| the person receiving the gift. How much we would | | | | quality that comes with it. When they are little, this |
| be willing to pay for the gift if we were to buy it for | | | | works well. Another related aspect to this is that if |
| ourselves, reflects our actual value of the item. | | | | the mom and dad like the gift you give their child, |
| Fortunately, there are things that you can do to | | | | you get extra points for that too. |
| improve your gift giving ability and become more the | | | | 4. In an article about the etiquette of gift giving and |
| hero you really are. | | | | receiving, the discussion was directed towards the |
| 1. Creatively hand made items are often at the top | | | | person who receives the gift. The main idea the |
| of the list because they represent something more | | | | article addressed, was that ALL gifts need to be |
| valuable than money - your time and interest. When | | | | acknowledged. The obvious reason for this is |
| a small child makes something for his mom or | | | | courtesy. This takes on additional significance when |
| grandpa, it is appreciated way beyond its actual | | | | gifts are not given in person. The giver would like to |
| worth. Picture, as a parent or grandparent, the value | | | | know that the gift was received. If the gift is one |
| of a short poem or song made up, written and yes, | | | | that is only mildly valuable, a simple thank you is in |
| even performed especially for you. | | | | order. If on the other hand, the gift is one that |
| As an adult, your hand made gift is expected to | | | | indicates that a lot of time, effort and/or expense |
| reflect a higher level of quality. Once again, the added | | | | was invested, it needs to be acknowledged with |
| factor is that the person actually wants it. Sometimes | | | | praise and gratefulness as appropriate. |
| a hobby that we have holds a special interest for us, | | | | When we receive gifts that we don't like or need, |
| but the products of our hobby may hold lesser value | | | | that puts us in a difficult position. In some cultures, |
| to someone we might gift it to. We can often sense | | | | gifts are not opened in front of others so that the |
| how people might feel about such items by their | | | | giver won't lose face. In the instance above, a |
| reactions to them when they see us working on | | | | reaction in front of others may not be the best way |
| such products. | | | | to deal with the issue. |
| By now you have figured out that the key factor is | | | | |