The Gift Blogger

As you may have noticed, most of my blogs are concerned with how to give a gift that is appropriate to the individual or occasion but this week I'd like to turn my attention to spontaneous gifts, which as a matter of fact are my favourite to receive!


It's nice to imagine a lover or friend giving a gift for no reason whatsoever, though it's more likely that these people would buy an extravagant or frivolous gift after buying many a practical well-thought out present year on year. Coming as a pleasant surprise the kitsch or flippant gift will inevitably make a lasting impression whether good or bad, so why not invest in a little fun if the occasion's not a monumental one?

If you're looking to impress a lady why not compliment her taste and décor in her home by buying a bonsai tree? Plants are generally considered a fantastic alternative to flowers and are also the type of gift you would give to someone who you considered to be nurturing. These delicate life forms need constant attention and are very rewarding to those who have the patience to deliver it. The ideal gift for a woman who loves to tend to things but doesn't have a garden, the bonsai tree will give her immense pleasure and surprise her too.


You should even consider buying the man in your life a perfectly impractical gift for once. I personally try to choose gifts for men that I know they will use, but an entirely silly one every now and then shows that you don't consider him to be an entirely gadget-obsessed maniac.

The 'just because' gift may just make his day even if it is never utilised in the same way as the 6 in 1 utility key (for example) may have been. For example there are sadly few men that sport cuff links in these days where casual dress is cool but giving him a pair of spirit level cuff links may inspire him to dress up more or could be a way of suggesting you go out for an intimate evening of fine wine and dining together....

Recently I have found myself revealed at parties to be an online gifting expert. As a result of this revelation no matter what the situation, I find myself quizzed immediately by those around about how to find the right gift for 'someone who has everything'.

It is my personal approach to this, often problematic, gift situation that I'd like to share with you this week. Firstly, assuming that anyone has 'everything' is -I believe - the wrong approach to take. After all, buying a gift should be a rewarding experience for both the giver and the recipient. I personally believe that no matter how rich a person may be, they can still be further enriched when receiving a well thought out present from someone they care for.


The way to please any person when choosing a gift is to give them a gift that reflects who they are to you personally. Any gift should be a gesture given with love that is irrespective of wealth and status but a simple musing on your relationship to that person. They may well be a high flyer by day but who are they to you as an individual?

A token that embodies or reflects this precious and unique bond is sure to win over anybody's heart no matter how rich in monetary terms they may be. For example, a dear friend of mine who I have known now for many years gave me a box of blancmange mix recently. A strange present on the surface, this gift was touching to me, as 'how to make blancmange' was – bizarrely - the conversation that sparked our longstanding friendship.

Most people obviously do not want a starter kit for a dessert however, but it is thinking about these kinds of foundations to your relationships that can make for a memorable present. For example, if you met at work - as did my sweet friend and I - why not think about what it was that helped you make the transition from colleagues to friends?

Although novelty work-related gifts such as the USB coffee warmer will make your friend smile, a gift that relates to the things you have in common will warm the cockles and stay with them. If, for example, you both share a passion for similar music why not look to getting that person a lesson in how to DJ instead? Even if you both like jazz, the chance to play around with sound is always appealing to those who have a good ear – especially those who like free-form jazz!


If however your shared passion is for the great outdoors, why not invest in a National Trust day out for two? A fantastic way to make new and precious memories, taking time out together can be a bonding experience that will stay with you both forever... and give you ideas of where to go for your next gift experience!

For this week's blog treat, I've prepared a very basic guide to choosing the right gift for women. Whether you're looking to buy for your girlfriend or your mum, it can be tough finding new and exciting gifts for every occasion.

Taking an overview of a year's gift buying you might potentially be buying gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas for the same person. With Valentine’s Day factored in for those closest to you too, the chances of coming up with a novel present for every occasion that hits the spot every time are limited. In the light of this fact, if you're looking for inspiration, consider the golden rules as laid out here and you should be well on your way to rising to the occasion every time.

Relationship

Clearly the main factor to be considered in any gift-giving situation is the relationship you have with the woman in question. I am a firm believer that any gift given should be a reflection of the friendship or relationship you have to the recipient. If, for example, the gift you are looking for is for a women you don't know so well (such as someone you've just started dating) it is fine for any gift to be a generic offering such as a bouquet of longiflorum flowers. A sophisticated way of showing your affection (which doesn't rely on cliché), giving flowers other than roses can often be more of a surprise.


Occasion

The next most crucial factor to consider is the occasion itself. Whether you’re looking for your aunt's birthday gift or a colleague’s farewell present, overstepping the mark can constitute as much of a faux pas as buying the wrong thing entirely!

If, on the other hand, you are feeling romantic and are buying her a gift 'just because' you have full license to be as extravagant as you wish! From the Karma Sutra bedside gift sets' elegant presentation box to a large diamond paperweight, if you want to splash out on a gift of romance, it doesn't have to conform to any preset notions.


Sentimentality

Having looked the occasion and the relationship you have to the recipient, you may wish to consider buying something sentimental. Many women love to receive a gift that they can treasure forever and an item of jewellery while not an original idea is still a firm favourite with women the world over.

You don't have to spend a fortune to make the right impression however, and there are ways of indulging her love of jewellery without even buying any. Consider for example something like the Emilia jewellery box. With copious room for storage for all of her trinkets, a luxury item such as this leather bound case is a fantastic way to tell her that you have a long future planned with her that will bring her gifts as yet untold.