The Perfect Gift? Follow This Formula.
In order to find the perfect gift for the one you love this holiday season, I have included steps based on your significant other’s love language. Use the previous steps–I’m calling it a gift giving formula–from this article. How do you follow through for the perfect gift? See these examples…
EXAMPLE #1 (Receiving Gifts)
She Loves Target.
Go to her favorite store. Target is the default if you don’t know the answer. Buy her a gift card. Find one item–like a scarf–that she can easily return. Wrap the scarf with the gift card–and the receipt. When she opens it, tell her that you *thought* she might like it–but if she doesn’t, she should just return it…AND…here’s the ACTUAL gift: “I am taking the kids to _________ on Saturday for three hours, and I want you to go to Target by yourself and buy something you really want. (If you want to go the extra mile, put a Starbucks gift card in her stocking.)
And then, make sure it happens.
EXAMPLE #2 (Quality Time)
She Loves Date Night.
It’s nice to get dressed up and taken on a date. She’s probably not going to ask you for this–especially in the throws of raising little ones, if that’s the phase you’re in. Make plans to do something together. Call for a reservation at her favorite restaurant. Plan to go bowling with your best friends. Anything that allows the two of you to be together without anything else getting in the way. Here’s the ACTUAL gift: “I arranged for _______ to watch the kids so we could go to _________ on _________ at _________pm”
The actual gift is you making it happen. Schedule the sitter. Make the reservation. Take care of all the details.
EXAMPLE #3 (Words of Affirmation)
She Needs to Know You Love Her.
This company–Compendium–has some of the best ideas I can find for someone who would love to hear you express your emotions. This one can be tough for people who struggle to express their feelings. Remember how I said Scott and I are opposites? He’s still holding it against me that he cried during our wedding and I didn’t. Here are some other ideas for those of us who have a hard time. You could also create a special order item–something with meaningful photos, monogrammed items or custom decor.
The important thing is–it needs to come from the heart.
EXAMPLE #4 (Acts of Service)
She Loves When You Do Things for Her.
People who stay busy are often those who are continually doing for others. They don’t take time for themselves. The perfect “gift” is to do things for her that she wouldn’t take the time to do for herself. (See examples 1, 2 and 5–the key is in you taking care of the details.)
Ask Yourself: What is she doing instead of getting a pedicure? What keeps her from going to Target by herself? Why is her car a constant disaster? Which DIY project has she been putting off? What hobby has she mentioned she wants to try if she could only find the time?
The ACTUAL gift: Remove the obstacles. Schedule the appointment. Book her car to get detailed. Take the kids to the park so she can go shopping by herself. Make an appointment for her at the salon. Buy what she needs for that project she’s been wanting to start–doing it together could be the best part.
Follow through. Make it happen.
EXAMPLE #5 (Physical Touch)
She Loves the Spa.
This could count for anyone who might enjoy: manicures, pedicures, massages, facials or a hair salon visit.
Visit or call the place she normally goes. If you don’t know, either figure it out by asking friends, family or look up a place with a good reputation on Yelp. Buy a gift certificate. Don’t feel awkward about going in–this happens ALL the time. They will help you figure out how much to purchase/what services. Buy an item they sell there–a specialty lotion, a nail polish–they might even have her favorites on file. Wrap up the product with the gift card. AND…here’s the ACTUAL gift: “I made an appointment for you on _________ at _______pm to go to _________, I will take care of the kids.”
Make sure it happens. If it needs to be rescheduled, do it yourself with her approval. The ACTUAL gift is you ensuring that she gets to enjoy herself.
Now You’re Ready.
Which one will you choose? You have everything in your power to provide the perfect gift. Just don’t forget to follow through.
