Are you the kind of person who struggles each year to find your wife a Christmas gift that she actually wants? If so, you aren’t alone. But this year has the potential to be much different. With the right plan of attack, you can find the perfect gift and enjoy a stress-free holiday knowing you have an amazing gift under the tree.
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5 Tips for Finding the Right Gift
Research shows that the stress of holiday shopping is far from an isolated issue. According to one national consumer survey, 84 percent of people say gift giving causes stress. The challenge of “finding and purchasing the right gifts” is the number one stress factor for 79 percent of people. This makes it a bigger pain point than spending time with extended family (31 percent) and traveling during the holidays (26 percent).
While finding the right gift for Grandma Gertrude is tough, there’s no pressure quite like finding the perfect gift for your wife. If you’re still searching, here are a few helpful tips that will put you on the right track.
1. Keep Your Ears Open
The first piece of advice is to listen. Beginning in early fall, you should proactively seek out insights. Listen to your wife and she’ll eventually give you ideas. They won’t always come when she’s shopping. Sometimes she’ll drop them when you’re least expecting it.
For example, she might express frustration when she’s cooking dinner about not having the right appliance. Or she could mention a book she wants to read when you’re chatting in the car. Keep a running note on your phone to record these options.
2. Know Her Preference
Every woman is different. And while there’s no “one” gift for someone, you can increase your chances of finding a great option by knowing which of the following three categories she fits into:
- Practical. Some women like practical gifts that they can put into action right away. This usually includes functional items that they can use in their daily life. Examples include kitchen appliances, tools, or tech gadgets.
- Sentimental. Some women are much more sentimental and prefer special items like framed family pictures, handwritten letters, or family heirlooms.
- Aesthetic. Some women prefer beautiful things (or things that make them beautiful). This includes jewelry, clothing, or household decor.
There might be times where your wife fits into all three categories, but try to focus on her natural default. This will increase your chances of buying the perfect holiday gift.
3. Jewelry Always Works
If you want a safe bet, you can always go with jewelry. And contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend thousands for a nice piece. For example, designer John Atencio has a number of beautiful bangles and rings for less than $500. Place one of these under the tree and you’ll be an instant hero.
4. Opt for an Experience
One of the easiest options is to choose an experience or getaway. You’ll likely spend more on this option than buying a physical gift, but it’s a very easy way to wow your wife. You’ll get even more bonus points if you have young children and line up childcare.
5. Take Her Shopping
If you absolutely, positively can’t find anything that your wife wants and/or that fits in your budget, you can pull the “emergency card” and take her shopping. The key to this gift is to execute it well. You don’t want it to look like you didn’t put any thought into giving her a gift. Instead, you want it to come across as thoughtful.
The best way is to write a handwritten note and put the envelope under the tree. Inside the note, let her know that you want to spend some one-on-one time together in the form of a shopping date so that she can pick out the perfect gift. This shopping date should be scheduled no more than 72 hours after the gift is given.
Adding it All Up
Every person is different. You can’t just point to the season’s “hottest” gift and assume your wife will love it. Finding the perfect gift requires that you know your wife and what makes her tick. But if you use the tips outlined above, you should eventually zero in on something she’ll love.