Shopping for gifts is hard. Shopping for gifts for the woman in your life who says she doesn’t want anything is harder. Whether she’s your wife, girlfriend, sister, mother, or daughter, it can be a struggle to pick out the perfect present for her, no matter how well you know her.
We’ve all heard the classic “you don’t have to get me anything!” escape from our loved ones’ mouths. It may be tempting to call it quits on the gift search and show up to the party empty-handed, but we don’t recommend it. According to surveys, 68% of people consider gift-giving one of their love languages. A thoughtful, heartfelt gift is the perfect way to show the woman you love that you know her and you appreciate her. However, this is easier said than done.
If you’ve wracked your brain for every possible gift and you’ve still come up empty, don’t fret. We’re here to help. In this guide, we’ll tell you how to shop for your loved one and give you ideas for some amazing gifts she’ll cherish forever.
General Guidelines
First, we’ll begin with some ground rules. These are just general tips that will help you avoid giving a gift that she’ll want to return the next day. Remember, every woman is different, so these rules aren’t 100% concrete. However, they may steer you in the right direction or even spark some inspiration.
Give Something Useful
This one may seem obvious, but we’ve all been tempted to go for the gag gift or a pretty decor item that will sit on the shelf. However, it’s always better to go for something she’ll actually use. Statistics indicate that around 18% of gifts are never used by the person who receives them, and 4% are immediately thrown in the trash. Don’t waste your time or money on something that’s just going to sit around and collect dust.
For giving useful gifts, pay attention to the items your loved one has that they use on a daily basis. If you often see them in the kitchen, get them a time-saving cooking gadget. If they’re constantly drinking coffee, try a handy travel mug. This ensures that your gift will actually be appreciated and won’t be shoved into the back of their closet and forgotten.
Give Something Heartfelt
It’s easy to spend a lot of money on a piece of jewelry, a handbag, or a cashmere sweater. But before you spend half your paycheck on an expensive gift, stop and consider what the point of gift-giving is. It’s not to show that you can spend a lot of dough; it’s to let someone know you’re thinking of them. Anybody can spend cash on a fancy present, but nobody knows the woman in your life the way you do.
On the whole, most people would rather receive a handmade or heartfelt gift than something store-bought. It doesn’t matter if you’re terrible at arts and crafts; giving something you made or bought that shows your loved one that you truly understand and cherish them is always the way to go.
Whether you go handmade or store-bought, make sure your gift is unique and specific to the gift recipient. Think of a memory you have together, an inside joke, an experience you shared, and try to give them something that captures that. You can never go wrong with a heartfelt gift that shows how much you value your relationship.
Give An Experience
If you come up short when it comes to tangible gift items, consider giving your loved one an experience, perhaps something you can do together. The joy a person gets from opening a present is temporary, but the memory of a fun night out or a unique experience together will last forever.
Think about the things your loved one enjoys doing. If they value creativity, take an art class together. If they’re a foodie, make a reservation at a restaurant they’ve been dying to try. If they love to travel, plan a road trip. Giving an experience is a surefire way to make a lasting memory and to show the woman in your life how much you value spending time with them.
Great Gifting Ideas
If you’re still coming up empty in the idea department, try out one of the gift ideas below. They’re all highly customizable, so they can be tailored to your loved one’s custom interests.
Paint Your Numbers Kit
Paint Your Numbers is a service that offers completely customizable paint by numbers kits that are made from your own personal photos. Our kits come with everything you need to create a beautiful portrait, from the paints to the brushes to the canvas. They’re fun and relaxing to complete. Plus, they’re an amazing way to capture a memory.
Paint Your Numbers kits hits all the gift-giving guidelines. They’re heartfelt, allowing you and your loved one to make a gorgeous portrait of something meaningful to you. They’re a great activity to do together, and once you’re finished, you’ll have a beautiful piece of art to hang on the wall. It’s an experience and a sentimental item rolled into one, making it the perfect gift for your special woman, no matter what the occasion.
A Night Out
Planning a night out on the town is a great experience to give, especially for busy mothers or working women who forget to take time to slow down and enjoy themselves. With all of life’s stress, many women neglect to take a moment to relax and have fun. Planning a night out with your loved one shows that you see how hard they work and gives them permission to take some time off to enjoy themselves.
For this gift experience, planning will be your best friend. Make reservations, schedule your evening in advance, and arrange for a babysitter or a pet sitter if necessary. The more activities you plan, the better. Begin by grabbing a cocktail at a swanky bar, move on to a delicious dinner, and then take her dancing or to the movies. Customize the evening to include activities your loved one enjoys.
Membership or Subscription Service
Gifting a yearlong membership or subscription to an entertainment streaming service or a meal delivery box is a great way to ensure that your loved one can enjoy your gift all year long. Pay attention to the things she often spends money on, then purchase a corresponding membership for her. This takes a monthly bill off of her plate and ensures that she’ll reap the benefits of your present again and again.
Streaming services, gym memberships, music services, grocery delivery boxes, and beauty subscription boxes are all great ideas within this category.
Take A Class
Taking a class with your loved one is a fun experience and offers them a tangible skill that they’ll be able to use for the rest of their life. Plus, with most classes, you’ll get to take home the thing you learned to make, which will remind them of the gift, and the time you spent together.
Think about the things your loved one is interested in and what they enjoy doing. A painting class, a cooking class, a pottery class, a wine or beer tasting class, or an acting class are wonderful ideas here.
Conclusion
Hopefully, we’ve given you some ideas and sparked some inspiration for your next gift-giving occasion. Remember, gifting shouldn’t be stressful or exhausting. It’s meant to be a fun way to express your love and appreciation. Give a gift that expresses the way you feel, and she’ll be sure to treasure it forever.
For more information about Paint Your Numbers and to shop our customizable kits, visit us online here.
Sources:
The 10 best gifts to give this holiday season, and other gifting stats | Survey Monkey.
Is It Time for Us to Rethink How We Give Gifts? | Becoming Minimalist