We’ve all learned over the years that giving to others can make us happier than spending that same amount of money on ourselves. While we likely can all agree that we still want to receive presents, it’s also good to think of others. Presents pump us up, after all. But many of us often think that gifting to others makes everyone happier and can make the world a better place, especially in this day and age.
Sadly, before the happiness, there can be a bunch of stress since finding someone in your family a gift can be hard. We all have the dad who doesn’t need anything or the mother who just wants to spend quality time together. But what do you get for your Secret Santa or fussy sister? Don’t worry; we have some tips below that have you covered.
1. Be helpful.
Sometimes, we can get carried away with present buying and think, “well, if I like it, they will like it.” But before you get carried all the way to the register, why not stop and think about the person you’re shopping for and their personal needs? For example, if your sister is expecting a baby or has a newborn, why not gift her the best breast pump money (or your budget) can buy?
A breast pump is one of the most needed items an expectant mother could ever need. Breast milk, in general, has a plethora of nutrients, and a breast pump or electric breast pump can help give the gift of time back, especially if the mother can use their new best breast pump ever to stock up and save their milk supply. There are a ton of resources that you can search from, such as Truly Mama, which is a helpful resource for tips and advice when it comes to searching for a good new baby gift.
2. Pets are family.
How could anyone forget about their fluffy fur baby? You can’t, of course. But instead of a new bow or bouncy ball, why not look into an insurance company that offers pet insurance for your little bundle of cuteness? If you know a family member who is struggling with purchasing insurance, you can always look into a plan for them and gift it to them.
Every pet owner should really have some sort of coverage because you never know when your pet may get ill or have to be rushed to the hospital. Giving the gift of coverage can often put your family members’ minds at ease, and you may even save them thousands of dollars if something does happen, and no one can say no to free money.
3. Stalk them; it’s okay, you’re family!
No great gift just falls from the sky and into your lap. Every thoughtful present has come from a bit of sleuthing into your gift receiver’s life. So, don’t discount the art of becoming Nancy Drew. You wouldn’t get a signed baseball card for your mother who loves ballet. And you certainly wouldn’t buy singing lessons for your brother who just wanted lessons from a golf pro.
Now, you should know a bit more about your family members than a random person, so this part should not be too difficult. But for argument’s sake, maybe you haven’t been home in a while. Anyone can pick up some new hobbies, so check out their social media to see what’s going on. You may learn that your sister fell in love with taking photos, so that new camera would hit the mark.
4. Just be yourself.
Always include a bit of yourself, especially when it comes to a family gift. Maybe you’re known for your amazing wrap job? Or, if you’re all about creativity, it could be a fun idea to make your own gifts for each of them. So, if you happen to be the next Picasso, paint a nice portrait of the family dog or something. If you’re not artistic that’s okay, you can always get them quality digital frames and load them full of family pictures.
Whatever you decide to gift your family, they will love it; they practically have to. But that isn’t the point. After applying these four tips, you’ll be ready to scout the mall and bring home nothing but the best.
