Everyone does it at some point or another: buying the wrong gift for someone. But it’s only when you start repeating the same action over and over again that people take it personally. This means that if you keep on buying your parents the wrong kind of gifts you’re sending out the wrong kind of message.
In Japan for example, gift giving is a very important social and cultural aspect with a very specific etiquette. Sorting out a gift is not something done randomly and the way you present the gift is even more important than the gift itself.
Advertisement:
Never mind what Christmas gifts you used to buy for your parents in the past. If you want to communicate thoughtfully through gift giving, whatever you do, never give them inappropriate and inconsiderate gifts. This is what you should never get your parents for Christmas.
Don’t ever give your parents nothing for Christmas
There are many families who have given up exchanging holiday gifts for their own personal reasons and if your own parents have embraced the no gift-giving concept, there are still ideas that you can put into practice and show your love and appreciation.
- Gift certificates: the thing with gift certificates, if you really want to be thoughtful about it, is that you have to dig a little and find out what your parents need. Good ideas are restaurant gift cards, gift certificates for pharmacy or veterinary use, anything they may have told you about in the past for which you can find gift certificates.
- Bill payment: one of the most practical gifts is offer to pay for your parents’ cable bill or even their newspaper subscription. A simple gift like this makes all the difference sometimes.
- Dinner or lunch every now and then: if there’s one thing that parents always love is spending time with their children and grandkids. Arranging regular lunches and get-together events is one of the most beautiful presents a parent will always appreciate more than anything bought.
Don’t ever give your parents regifts
It’s been known to happen: people giving regifts, and although the gift itself may be a good one, parents deserve to have something chosen especially for them. And that’s the thing about most parents: it doesn’t have to be something impressive. Parents will take even something as simple as a battery recharger for a thoughtful gift if it’s something they told you they needed and you remembered.
Don’t ever give the same gift two years in a row
Unless your parents really love wine and you make an effort to sort out new wines for them every Christmas, then perhaps giving the same gift every year isn’t all that thoughtful if your gift is something like socks and sweaters. Also don’t miss this year Boxing Day Sales & Specials
Advertisement:
If you really don’t know what to get your parents for Christmas, a good idea might be buying them food baskets or chocolates. They won’t feel obligated to hold onto things they don’t really need this way and it would still be something you picked out for them.