Not every Christmas present is received with joy. A targeted selection can avoid bad purchases and contribute to the long-term supply of presents.
Frequently occurring bad purchases
Every year there are numerous gifts that go unused. According to CHIP, among other things, technical devices such as complicated household helpers or cheap gadgets are among the typical bad purchases that often end up unused in the corner. Vouchers that have no personal connection are also rarely redeemed. The same applies to clothing, where the size and taste often do not meet expectations.
Critique gifts
Hygiene products, sports clothing or weight loss guides should also be avoided as gifts, as they can easily give the impression that the giver wants a change in the recipient. As the online portal Mit Freude Hamburg explains, such gifts can be misinterpreted and unintentionally cause displeasure. Instead, there are more neutral and less personal alternatives that do not give rise to misunderstandings.
Avoid joke gifts
Friends or family members whose wishes are difficult to discern are often given joke gifts to make Christmas Eve more humorous. But such gifts often remain just a “funny gag” for the moment. According to CHIP, they take up unnecessary space in the long term and are rarely used. In addition, joke gifts – especially in a professional environment – involve risks and can be misunderstood, which can lead to the recipient feeling attacked or hurt. A well-thought-out gift idea avoids such misunderstandings and leaves a more positive impression.
Prevention through planning
But for many, finding the right gift can be a challenge, which often leads to last-minute purchases. These ill-considered decisions often result not only in bad purchases, but also in unplanned expenses. A ZDF article therefore recommends making a list early on of the people who should receive gifts and determining the budget intended for this. This enables targeted planning, limits potential gift ideas and creates the opportunity to save money in good time to avoid spontaneous additional costs.
Orientation through the 4-gift rule
The so-called 4-gift rule offers a simple and well-thought-out solution to gift planning. It focuses on four categories: a gift that was wanted, a useful everyday object, something to wear and something to read. The Gifttopia portal also suggests expanding this list to include a fifth category: a shared experience that creates lasting memories.
Editorial team finanzen.net