How to Get Great Christmas Gifts: A Giftee's Guide
To receive an awesome gift, you need to ask your friends or loved ones for something specific. Yet, it's not always that simple. This article explores why it can be difficult to ask for great gifts and how to do it right.
Understanding the Meaning Behind Gifts
First, it's essential to understand why it's so difficult to express what you want. Usually, certain beliefs get in the way. Let’s dispel a few of them.
It’s the thought that counts. Of course, the price of a gift isn't the most important factor. What matters more is the emotion behind the giver's choice. However, it's even nicer to give a gift when you know it will genuinely delight the recipient. The thoughtfulness is further enhanced when the giver listens to your wishes and finds exactly what you wanted.
Never look a gift horse in the mouth. This proverb teaches us to be grateful for any gift. But let's be honest: you don't have to be pleased with useless last-minute gifts, and your gift-giver will also be happier if their money is spent on something that brings you joy.
Good gifts must be earned. If, as a child, you received gifts as a reward for something, you might feel odd when receiving presents. It's time to accept that great gifts no longer need to be earned. Loved ones can enjoy making you happy simply because they love you. And they'll feel even better if their gift truly delights you.
Talk to Your Dear Ones
The simplest way to get what you want is to tell your friends and family about it. If you’re unsure how to talk about your desires, start by asking them what they want—after all, you're probably gift shopping too.
Typically, when you ask, "What would you like for Christmas?" you not only receive an answer but also a return question: "And what can I get for you?" By answering honestly, two adults save each other time and end up with what they truly desire.
Delegate It to a Loved One
If you're shy about directly expressing your wishes, you can ask a loved one or close friend to answer questions from those curious about what to get you. Before the holidays, give your wishlist to your trusted person, so you won’t know who gives you what.
Create a Wishlist
A wishlist or wish list is created when you want specific gifts, usually supplemented with photos or links. In most lists, gift-givers can mark what they choose to prevent duplicates.
Popular Apps and Services for Creating Wishlists
Thingstogetme – this site lets you create shareable wishlists for any occasion, ensuring you always receive gifts you truly want and need. Embrace thoughtful gift-giving with personalized wishlists shared with friends and family.
WishList – create shareable wishlists with photos, descriptions, and price ranges for everything from birthdays to weddings, helping loved ones find the perfect gift every time. Manage multiple wishlists, track purchased items to avoid duplicates.
Google Docs — you can avoid additional services by compiling your wishes in a Google Doc or Google Sheet. Just remember to enable commenting access so each gift-giver can mark the gift they've chosen.
Play Secret Santa
Another proven way to ensure you receive the gift you want is to play Secret Santa. The easiest way to organize an anonymous gift exchange is through the MySanta app. You can play with anyone: friends, family, classmates, coworkers, followers, or even strangers.
One participant creates an online game and invites players via email or a special link. The organizer sets a gift limit and specifies the date to join the game by. Each player fills out a small questionnaire, indicating what they would like as a gift and what they definitely don't want.
Once all participants have joined the game, the organizer draws names. The system randomly selects who will give whom a gift. No one will know who their Secret Santa is. Meanwhile, everyone can create their own wishlist to ensure they receive exactly what they want.
The service also includes anonymous chats between Santa and the gift recipient, allowing for clarifying questions about preferences while maintaining anonymity. Most importantly, the Secret Santa game saves players money. Instead of buying generic gifts for everyone, each player buys one meaningful gift for their recipient.
Conclusion
When crafting your wishlist, try to include gifts with varying prices to provide flexibility for your loved ones. Don't hesitate to list big-ticket items—your friends might team up to give you something special.
