Many parties and holidays come with gifts. A gift doesn’t have to be expensive to be a good one. The best gifts show you thought about the other person.
Key idea
Choose a gift with the person in mind, take the price tag off, add a card with your name, and let them open it when they like. Never say how much it cost.
Why it works
A gift is a way of saying, “I know you, and I thought about you.” That is why the thought matters more than the price. Removing the price tag keeps the focus on the gift and away from money, and a card makes sure the person knows whom to thank.
Worked example: Choosing a gift
Sam needs a birthday gift for Ruby. He knows she loves birds, and he has a small budget. What could he choose?
- Think about Ruby: what does she enjoy?
- Find something that fits her interest and his budget: a small book about birds, a bird-shaped bookmark, or seeds for a feeder.
- Take off the price tag and add a card: “Happy birthday, Ruby! From Sam.”
Answer: A small bird-themed gift, price tag off, with a card from Sam.
Worked example: A homemade gift
Hana wants to give her grandfather something, but she has no money. Is a homemade gift okay?
- Yes. A gift is about the thought.
- A drawing, a letter, a batch of cookies or a promise to help in his garden all show care.
- Wrap it or put it in an envelope, with a note saying it is from her.
Answer: Yes. A homemade gift shows real thought.
Common mistake
Choosing the gift you would want, or saying how much it cost. Check: does this gift fit what the other person likes? Is the price tag off?
Customs differ. Customs differ about when gifts are opened. In many American families, gifts are opened at the party; in some families and cultures, gifts are opened later, privately. Both are polite, so let the person decide.