Have you ever felt at the end of your wits when you try to give a special gift to a special person, but you can't think of what to give, or when you're too uncertain about gift choices, because you care so much about the person you're going to give? Almost everyone has come across something like that. I've come up with a neat solution to that kind of embarrassment. Usually we give gifts to special people on a holiday or an anniversary, so if you're not sure they're going to love your gift, you can try to make it safer by giving something that matches the occasion or anniversary.
1.Holiday gifts
Every festival has traditional customs, so gifts with traditional elements should be chosen for the festival.For example, you can fix your selection on the traditional Zongzi for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, but you can make a special point in the packaging-if you send ordinary friends, you can choose the popular packaging with a strong festival atmosphere, or if you send good friends or your partner, you can do it yourself with unique packaging, also attached with handwritten greeting cards or some other small gifts. The same applies to holidays like Christmas and New Year: choose the traditional gifts to be given for the holiday, pick out the festive wrappings and consider adding a personal touch as needed.
Recommended gifts: seasonal gifts such as Zongzi (Dragon Boat Festival), mooncake & fruit hamper (Mid-Autumn Festival), Christmas hampers with a Christmas feel (Christmas)
Taboo: pay attention to homophony, number, color and other taboos
2.Business gifts
High-quality, well-packaged gifts are the best choice for business gifts.Since business people tend to look presentable, it's better to choose gifts that are exquisitely packed or pleasing to the eye, and the portability of the gift is also important to businessmen. Additionally, if it is a suitable gift for both men and women, old and young, then the gift recipient may also share the gift with family members or business partners so that one gift can have multiple gift effect.
Luxury gourmet gift sets and champagne mix gift boxes are the first gifts that follow the above requirements that come to my mind. As these hampers or boxes typically contain wine / champagne (a must for business people), and some food items appropriate for all ages, such as high-end snacks, coffee and more.
Recommended gifts: coffee/tea/wine/champagne combo gift box
Taboo: remember to tear off the price label and do not transfer gifts
Related: How to Choose a Gift Nobody Can Refuse
3.Gifts for couples
Gift-giving between intimate partners needs to be more personal and targeted. Gifts for couples should ideally reflect the intimate and romantic mood of the couple and the care they have for each other.Lots of girls like flowers (actually boys like flowers too, but few boys get flowers). You can choose your partner's favorite flowers, or take into account the flower language, color, quantity and other factors, and give her/him a romantic surprise on that special day. The combination of decompression and health gifts, on the other hand, is also a good gift choice for lovers. I believe that your loved one can feel your concern when he/she sees a gift of fragrance oil, a bathing suit and/or body care.
Recommended gifts: bouquet / fragrance oil / body care suit / bathing suit / personal products or other romantic gifts
Taboo: Had better not differ too much from the price of the other party's gift
4.Gifts for friends
For friend gifts, you should consider your friend's preferences and the occasion's commemorative value. Gifts to friends are usually given to the recipient on birthdays or graduations and these are occasions that the gift symbolizes your good wishes. Giving gifts that are of interest to the recipient is ideal, and if your friend likes coffee a good choice is a coffee maker. A relatively foolproof birthday and graduation gift is a combination of bouquet & plush toy: while the flowers help convey your good wishes, the plush toy can be kept as a lovely and memorable gift. Besides, memorable gifts among friends include ceramic toys, crystals, music boxes and wooden ornaments.
Recommended gifts: bouquet & plush toy / coffee maker / ceramic toy / crystal / musical box / wooden ornament
Taboo: avoid anything too expensive as it may cause pressure on the gift receiver
5.Gifts for relatives
Family gifts should fit for all ages. We usually take some gifts with us out of social etiquette when we go to visit a relative or friend. Good choices include seasonal fruit baskets and gourmet gift baskets. It is suitable for older and younger men and women alike. You can chat whilst you eat. No matter how long you haven't seen each other, a delicious food can break the ice quickly.
Recommended gifts: fruit basket / gourmet basket
Taboo: too personal and niche
Generally speaking, it is ideal to arrange gifts according to the recipient's preference. But when you need or want to give a gift and don't know what to give, check out the list above for some versatile, error-free gift ideas.
This is a Hong Kong GGB original 'Gift Selection Tips & Gift Recommendations' blogpost.