craftgrrl | So you don't know what to give! (Reply)

I think we get a lot of "I don't know what to give posts". It happened last year around this time, too. I thought I would walk through my own process of thinking about it. I hope you all add posts on how you decide as well.

I think about the person I want to give a gift to, and what they like. I usually consider music, if they wear hat's, scarves, etc. What kind of foods they eat. If thier bath products looked a bit sparse the last time I was there. You could make a list if you want. Including sports, hobbies, favorite colors. I also try to weasel everyone's sizes out of them early on so I know that bit if I need it. I keep lists of those!

I play the riddle game, and pay attention for a little bit. This includes subtle, "Oh I was thinking about getting this for myself, what do you think?" to see if they liked it. I let them know what kind of crafting I do in conversation, and see if any of that appeals to them.

If I am really stumped, usually because I am broke and need to get something done on a ridiculous budget, I start looking through craft sites. I don't look at it as if I am looking at a specific project, but whether something similar might appeal to them, or if it will jog my creative thoughts to make something entirely different.

Then I decide if I can make something, preferably fast, in large quantities, and fits my budget, that the recipients would be happy to recieve even if it's not spot on to thier likes. For instance I gave my Mom, (the hardest person to get presents for in the world!), marble magnets last Mother's Day. I figured I would get a polite smile, but she really was ecstatic to recieve a gift I spent time on. It might not have been a designer perfume, or from an expensive store like she likes, but she was happy and put them on the fridge. (I was shocked!)

I also see if there is something that I could make, being crafty, that the other person has a hard time getting. I have an autistic nephew with major gluten/dairy/soy allergies. We routinely make him cookies without milk, wheat, or soy. He doesn't usually get to much in the way of cool food so that only takes a bit of research and some trial and error in the kitchen. I have a friend with no crafty family that I know is always cold, so he get's a scarf and a hat. I have another geeky friend that worships the coffee bean (okay, not really!) so he is getting several bars of coffee soap.

I also try to remind myself that gift giving doesn't have to be expensive. That it's about letting the people I care about know that they are important to me. Sometimes a tiny, but well presented gift can mean more than a gift certificate. I was given a tiny paper box made out of wrapping paper one year by a coworker. Inside was a single piece of chocolate. The box was so cute, and had such a cute ribbon that I kept it for years after. I was truly touched by it.

Okay. I hope my ramblings might help. Please post how you decide on your gifts so I don't feel silly up here all by myself!