As we approach the holiday season, I want to delve into the art of gift-giving as a graduate student. Contrary to popular belief, being a fantastic gift giver doesn't necessarily mean breaking the bank. It's more about the effort you put into understanding the other person's needs and desires. So, while it may not cost much money, being a fantastic gift giver does take effort!
Before thinking about the actual gifts, it's crucial to have a realistic budget that aligns with your means. Equally important is knowing the person you're gifting. Once these two pillars are in place, you're ready to follow the next steps and apply them to every gift-giving situation.
Step 1: The Useful Gift
That's where you usually spend the most money, but you can handmake or thrift gifts, too! The useful gift is about improving the other person's life, whether through a desire or a necessity. Depending on who they are and their lifestyle, this could mean vastly different things. Observe their habits, hobbies and interests to get clues. Create a list on your phone to note these down whenever you notice something. Here are some of my suggestions:
- The skincare lover: go to Maneko Living and buy a new sunscreen for them to try. You can find some good options around $12 + tax.
- The practical one: restock their toiletries (just trust me). Or sock drawer. The Adidas outlet has some great, affordable options. Register for the Adidas Club and show your student ID for a discount.
- The homebody: get them the coziest and cutest sleepers from Bluenotes, starting from $8 + tax. If you go in person to one of their stores, you get a coupon to participate in a giveaway.
- The crafter: go to dollar and thrift stores, gather supplies, and arrange them into a nice basket.
- The minimalist: get them the most perfect cotton t-shirt from Uniqlo.
- The meal prepper: finding a good lunch bag is hard. Staples has some good models, but this one is my favourite—it's spacious and leakproof.
- The tea aficionado: visit Cha Cha Tea and ask Kaoru-san for a recommendation. Or get the Eternally Nuts blend - the best tea ever. If they already have a favourite, you can choose a tea accessory like an infuser or a cute cup.
Step 2: The Fun Gift
The fun gift is all about bringing joy to the person you're gifting. It's the most straightforward category, and you can even combine it with the other gift categories. The key is to ensure the fun component is there. I personally like to include their favourite candy in the packaging, just to add an extra element of fun.
Step 3: The Intimate Gift
The purpose of the intimate gift is to show the other person you are connected. Different people react and show love (independently if it's romantic, friendship, etc.) differently. I usually go for a self-made card with heartfelt words about the person, what I like about them and what I wish for the upcoming year. You can sing or play them a song, recite poetry, make a customized calendar or photo collage, give them coupons for activities with you, send them their favourite flowers, ask them to dance – endless possibilities!
However you decide to distribute the "weights" of each category, don't forget the packaging! I said three steps, but this is essential to the experience component. The dollar store, YouTube and Pinterest tutorials are your best friends here. Also, while you're giving them their gift(s), be sure to explain the purpose behind each aspect. You can tell a little story about what you noticed about them and why you chose that gift. Be creative and resourceful! They will definitely feel seen and appreciated, making the gift even more special.
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