How to Be a Better Gift Giver

The holidays are *almost* here! It’s about to become the most wonderful time of the year, and in no surprise to anyone at all, I am here for it. CUR’s 2022 Gift Guides are launching *next week* (YAY), so I wanted to share a few of my personal favorite tips for gifting before the shopping starts and chaos commences. If you want to know how to be a better gift giver, you’re in the right place! I have always loveloveloved gift giving, which is funny since “gifts” aren’t my own love language – I genuinely care far more about giving the perfect something than receiving. It’s like this ongoing game for me that brings me actual thrill, to have a Goldilocks moment landing upon that just right thing that tells the recipient you see them, you know them, you love them. So in the hopes of being the most helpful and the least overwhelming once the ideas come a-pourin’ onto the blog, here are some methods to my own madness to make gift-giving more fun and more meaningful (and less painful!).

Keep a note on your phone for gift ideas for your people.
- If you’re out and about and someone mentions something that catches their eye, note it down. I keep a running note with my people in a bulleted list, and it notes what I’ve given them for past holidays, too – SO easy for quick reference. I essentially start each list again after Christmas, and it’s an easy way to quickly visualize how much/what you’ve got planned for various people. It also makes life SO MUCH EASIER than simply waiting until the holidays to think back on everyone and recall things they liked or mentioned or wanted or needed from the entire year prior.
- Then, while shopping, I just add the green checkmark emoji next to each item as it’s purchased so I can visually assess where I’m at with everyone.
Start a gift closet (or drawer, basket, etc) at home for “evergreen,” universal gift ideas.
- Sometimes you need a quick gift on the go, be that for a last minute party invite, a goody for the hostess, or maybe a birthday you forgot (oops). I like to stock up during sales and keep evergreen goodies on hand for these such occasions, so you never have a moment of panic when Priming won’t even make it in time. Some ideas…
  - A hearty, clean candle
  - Cute coffee mugs + a bag of your favorite grounds
  - A THRIVING tumbler
  - Some gift cards (think Target, Amazon, Starbucks, etc)
  - Wine
Plan ahead for holidays, birthdays, etc.
- The aforementioned phone-note idea will help with this, especially if you bullet list it out by recipient. But if you REALLY want to overachieve here, create a note folder on your phone *just* for gift giving purposes. Then, create a note per person that you frequently gift (your parents, partner, kids, best friends, etc), and just list out their favorite things! Note their favorite colors, flowers, foods – things that always make them smile that make for foolproof deliveries when you’re in the market to make them feel especially loved. Really, this will help you be a better gift giver all year round for any gift-giving occasion – not just the holidays!
Don’t limit yourself to tangible products!
- Some of the very best gifts are experiences, be they one time or ongoing. My brother and I have made birthdays easy; we gift each other Broadway show tickets and make a day of it in the city for a sibling date together. Not only does it make it easier to think of gift ideas, but it also always gives us something to look forward to – and also experience together (so it’s a bit win-win…ha!). Maybe you take turns gifting like that, or decide mutually with your recipient that you’re going to go on a trip or do something together as your gift “to each other!”
- Divvy up your budget for an individual and consider how many of a service or experience they might be able to enjoy with it, whether it’s covering a monthly professional house cleaning (bless), a few mani/pedis, or X amount of coffee runs.
When in doubt, personalize it.
- Really, the best gifts make the receiver feel seen. Truly seen, where they just know that you know THEM and love(lovelove) them on a more intimate level. “Personalized” really just means something somewhat customized to them; it can be monogrammed or have their name on it (or kid’s name etc), maybe it features favorite photos, or maybe even a song that means something to both of you. Really, LOTS of options here to do something special.
- More unique + personal gift ideas here!
When in a lot of doubt, go for an easy win or obvious need.
- I have never met a person who didn’t appreciate cash. 😉 If you’re honestly, truly, totally stumped on what to get a certain someone, consider money – and make it more fun by wrapping up bills in festive ribbon, putting them in a cute mason jar, etc. Alternatively, a gift card to their favorite restaurant or a place they frequent (ie, their coffee shop, nail salon, Chick-Fil-A, etc) is always great.
- Elevate the practical. If you know she’s in slippers the second she get home from work and into comfies, but she’s still running around in a $20 pair from Walmart that’s clearly seen better days, treat her to UGGs that she might not buy herself.
- Get a second opinion! There’s no shame in asking someone who might know them a bit better to get some intel. Ask their spouse, sister, mom, etc!