Gift Giving Guy

GGG

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Why “Gift Giving Guy”?

“It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.” (Albert Einstein)

This blog is my writing workout on a topic that colors how I see things: gift giving.

I'm not a professional shopper or corporate gift buyer. I'm just a guy — albeit a guy who likes to shop for thoughtful, memorable gifts. Then write about it.

“Gift Giving Guy” grants me my own column, a place where I can share my ideas and thoughts on gift seeking and giving. Through my blog posts, I hope to better my giving, better my writing, and maybe even better some gift-seeking readers along the way.

I find gift giving an essential but often unexamined ritual in American culture. So, in between the gift ideas and advice, I am hoping to refine my understanding on why we give from socio-economic, cultural and psychological perspectives. Bear with me on these departures into the social sciences and philosophy — or giftology, for lack of a better term.

I'm also fascinated with the operations of traditional retail, e-commerce and interactive web sites. By sharing my ideas and what I've found online, I hope to give back and ever so slightly enhance the relevance of the Web for gift seekers.

Essentially, “Gift Giving Guy” is my gift to you. Unwrap and enjoy!

[giftgivingguy]

Celebrate un-birthdays and half birthdays

Alice: "I mean, what is an un-birthday present?" Humpty Dumpty: "A present given when it isn't your birthday, of course." (Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass)

Of course, you bought your love a birthday gift. It's expected. But for a real surprise, give something on a un-birthday, one of the 364 days that's not your love's birthday. Make the gift something that shows you care. For example, I keep an eye on how much of my wife's favorite perfume is left. When it's running low, I buy the perfume and simply place it next to the near-empty bottle.

One clever excuse for a un-birthday present: celebrate your love's half-birthday. The half-birthday is 182.5 days from the actual birthday. Use this calculator to find your loved ones' half-birthdays.

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Keeping gift dossiers

To spark ideas for a thoughtful gift, start a gift dossier for a loved one. I use the term dossier to evoke a sense of espionage. You are secretly collecting information on someone who will never read the dossier file. After all, you want to keep an element of surprise to your gift giving. Start the dossier in a password-protected Word document. Or you can take the dossier online, using a free service such as Amazon's Gift Organizer.

A great gift dossier contains:

A list of interests for brainstorming gift ideas

Observations of wants and needs and ever-so subtle gift hints

Links to potential gifts

A record of past gifts you given (would a variation on a previous gift fit?)

To create a gift dossier, begin your brainstorming and reconnaissance on:

Tastes: Prefers no frills/down to earth? Or enjoys the finer things?

Favorite activities and hobbies

Top authors — the ones worth waiting in line for at a book signing

Favorite music artists (look for several albums owned), concerts attended

Essential movies

Inconveniences and complaints (could a gift solve the problem?)

Favorite foods and drinks

"I've always wanted to..."

Indulgences and splurges

[giftgivingguy]

Automatic reminders for gift occasions

Of course, no one forgets gift occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, weddings, showers, graduation, housewarmings... need I say more? Rather than scramble at the last minute, use free web sites that email (or text message) you a timely reminder.

Set up the regular occasions (e.g., Christmas, birthdays, anniversary, Valentine's Day) as recurring alerts. Be sure to make the reminder subject clear, such as "Start shopping for the 5th anniversary gift now." Give yourself enough notice to find a thoughtful gift.

Try out one of these free reminder services:

Remember the Milk

Amazon Gift Organizer

Google Calendar

Yahoo Calendar

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Newlywed guys: Hold onto those gift registry lists

Recently married? Best wishes to you and your spouse!

But, guys — don't miss out on this gift idea opportunity. After you get back from your honeymoon, track down final copies of your gift registry lists. Highlight any gifts you did not receive. Keep the lists in a safe place, so these wedding wishes do not become lost memories.

In a few years, if you are stumped for gift ideas for your wife, pull out the lists and see if there are any good candidates. Bath sheets may not be on target, but maybe you can complete a cherished gift by giving her those two missing china settings. Be sure to include a note card or greeting card with a message that shows you remembered and reveals the theme: wedding wishes, now fulfilled.

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Will she love it? Will she wear it?

“Where it was a woman's role to shop, it’s just not anymore.” (Prof. Donna Reamy, Virginia Commonwealth University)

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel describes a slight trend toward men buying clothes for the women in their lives.

jsonline.com: She'd look great in this...

My first rule: I avoid lingerie for my wife because it may be perceived as, well, self-serving. Guys should give apparel gifts for her. My wife is very particular about her clothing choices, so my favorite gifts to give are the comfy clothes: thick, terry cloth robes and warm flannel pajamas for the cold winter. May I suggest...?

Pajamas from PajamaGram.com. Each order arrives wrapped in a keepsake hat box with a sachet filled with lavender and a "do not disturb" sign. I gave my wife the BedHead Lily of the Valley flannel pajamas. Months later, we saw the movie Must Love Dogs in the theater and loved that Diane Lane wore these PJs in several scenes.

A personalized terry robe from Red Envelope/Personal Creations.

The second rule: know her size. However, the advantage of choosing robes and comfy pajamas is that a size up is okay because most prefer looser fitting sleepwear and robes.

[giftgivingguy]

Giving Business Travel Gifts

“Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear.” (John Lennon)

I don't travel for business often, maybe once a year. But when I do, I always bring something back for my wonderful wife. Sometimes, it's a souvenir that reflects the city I am visiting. For example, when I visited San Francisco, I gave my wife a wooden cable car filled with Ghiradelli chocolates. Plus, I bought home a “Sweet Dreams” sleep shirt illustrated with chocolate truffles.

But some of my best received gifts came from places like Crate & Barrel and Restoration Hardware. In 2003, I had a lot of training at a facility near Oak Brook Center, the largest open-air shopping center in the U.S. At the Crate & Barrel, I found a glass trifle bowl on one trip and a bronze Bandero vase on another. And nothing comforts like a five-pound chenille throw from Restoration Hardware. In Nashville, I found BLACKLION, a North Carolina-based furniture and accents store. I bought an arts-and-crafts-style bronze wine rack.

These gifts show my appreciation for helping me prepare for my trip and these tokens let her know that I'm thinking of her while I'm away.

[giftgivingguy]

Giving the Gift of Food

"Forget love — I'd rather fall in chocolate!" (attributed to Sandra J. Dykes)

Food makes a great gift. Find that person's favorite cuisine or a taste from home. My wife is a chocolate lover, so Godiva chocolates never fail to please. For Mother's Day 2007, I gave my mom a taste of her Baltimore hometown: a dozen delicious crab cakes from Phillips Seafood. And I finally found a place online (monicaspies.com) that makes and delivers the hard-to-find elderberry pies that my father-in-law craves.

If you are considering a food gift card or certificate, step it up. Give a dinner of significance, such as the restaurant from the first date, proposal, rehearsal dinner or a hands-down favorite dining spot. You may need to visit the restaurant in person to pick up these certificates or have them mailed. Looking for something more romantic? Try a Google search on "personal chef" (plus your city) to hire a personal chef to prepare a romantic dinner in your home. Or better yet — cook a four-course meal for your special someone yourself.

Below are some examples of food gifts I enjoy giving:

Godiva chocolates (and coffee). I gave the 36 piece Signature Truffle Assortment on Valentine's Day 2007 to my wife. For coffee, I like to give the Café Godiva, particularly the Chocolate Créme or the Créme Brulèe.

Flavored gourmet popcorn from Popcorn Palace. I sent a large tin to my dad on his birthday. The Chicago Style (caramel/cheddar mix) is unbelievably delicious.

Cookie "bouquets" from Cookies by Design. These cookie bouquets are custom-shaped and hand-decorated sugar cookies on sticks, arranged in a basket. A great gift for Father's Day.

A dinner from Impromptu Gourmet. Skip the dining gift certificate and send the meal right to their door. My parents and in-laws loved this gift.

Gourmet muffins from My Favorite Muffin. During the Christmas season, I sent a large assortment of mini-muffins to my wife's office. Cookies and treats from Cheryl&Co. The "new baby" collection is ideal to celebrate a new addition to the family.