It is the time of the year when people are busy shopping for gifts. Choosing the right gift is an art. Some people seem to have the instinct to secure the right gift.
Shopping with a youngster can be an experience that can be quite challenging at times. A four-year-old came running to the aisle, looked at the school bags, and ran back to his mom, screaming, "Mommy, look what I have found!"
Soon, the mother followed and looked at the bags. She didn't approve them and the next thing she said was, "These are not for you, these are for girls." I met them near the payment counter and the child was now desperately seeking chocolates.
As we grow older, we learn to choose wisely. Things to keep in mind while avoiding being a spendthrift, although shopping is also known as retail therapy.
Retail therapy is basically the idea of shopping to lift your mood. They say that buying something new can feel comforting, empowering, or exciting — especially after a stressful day. I would also add by saying that it gives an element of hope because it makes one look forward to another day or a particular event.
So why does it make you feel good?
Experts say it is the sense of control and choice. A small dopamine boost from something new, and in addition, there is a change of environment, such as malls, markets, and shops. It is definitely considered a distraction from stress or overthinking. However, there is a flip side to watch out for, say the experts, and this is why, 'Impulse spending you may regret later.'
In other words, the end result could be short-term comfort and long-term guilt. Using shopping as the only coping mechanism could end up being an expensive ordeal.
A healthier way to approach it would be to set a spending limit before you step out.
How many times have you bought things you would actually use, not just “feel good” buys?
Now, have you tried window shopping — same mood boost, less cost. It gives you an update on the latest trends. Now, if you add in a bit of walking, music, coffee with friends - you have got a perfect outing even though some might still prefer a nature trail.
They say think of retail therapy like sugar: okay in small doses, not great as a daily solution.
But buying gifts on special occasions is a social habit.
Now, here are some of the tips I came across ‐ think about the person, not the price. A thoughtful small gift almost always beats an expensive but random one.
We have to take a moment to think, 'What do they enjoy? What do they use a lot?'
We have to match the gift to the occasion, whether it is a birthday, a farewell, a festival, or a thank-you gift. They all call for different tones — fun, sentimental, practical, or symbolic.
No matter what the occasion is, the personal touches matter much more than the gift for most people.
Personal touch could come in various forms such as personalised items, favourite colours, inside jokes, or even a handwritten note can instantly elevate a gift.
One of the major decisions other than price of the gift would be the nature 9f the gift, whether it is practical or sentimental. Finding the balance is significant because some people love useful gifts like bags, books, gadgets, others prefer emotional ones such as photos, letters, keepsakes.
Some people enjoy the process of gifting they plan extensively. They think of gifting experiences.
Experiences can be gifted through tickets, workshops, a day out, or even a planned activity can be more memorable than physical objects. Memories can be forever compared to a materialistic gift. Whatever the gift, the quality of the gift is what matters the most.
Understanding the culture and respecting the sentiments of the recipients is important too.
How you say it makes all the difference, similarly how you present the gift makes the first impression.
The biggest joy is in the intention and for them to know they are in your mind.
Lakshmi Kothaneth
The writer is a senior editor of Observer
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
