7 Wonderful Ways to Find the Perfect Gift in 2020

Finding the perfect gift for that special someone is definitely not “as easy as Christmas.” Here are surefire ways to always have the perfect gift.

Holiday glee is heating up by now. Or is holiday hee gleating up?

Either way, stores of all kinds are frenzied with masses trying to finish their Christmas shopping. More people are using up the rest of their vacation days, and they’re using those vacation days to finish their Christmas shopping. Finding the perfect gift makes having perfect holidays as easy as Christmas.

Jump to the 7 ways to find the perfect gift.

Perfect Gifts vs. Perfect Parties

Gifts are different than parties. While an impeccable party is usually not as memorable as a disastrous party, a perfect gift is remarkable and can really make a great holiday season. A cleverly wrapped gift is even more unforgettable.

Perfect gifts are just as challenging to accomplish as perfect parties.

What ensures either will fail is waiting until the last minute.

In my opinion, the search for the perfect Christmas gift begins in January. That’s right. Start keeping your eyes open early.

How Perfect Gifts Are Like Love

We can’t pursue love. We can only make ourselves the most eligible we can be, then put ourselves in as many of the right places as possible. Did you just veer off into dating advice?

No.

Perfect gifts are like love: The harder we look for the perfect gift, the harder it is to find.

When we wait until the last minute, we can’t think or see clearly. We miss things right in front of us, and because we’re trying too hard, we focus on items that are probably more of a gag gift than a perfect gift.

“Perfect gifts are like love: The harder we look for the perfect gift, the harder it is to find.”

– Shayne Seymour

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We find gifts that really aren’t that great. We want the perfect gift so earnestly that we overvalue it, then obsess over just about any present simply because it’s available, not realizing that we’re in love with the idea of the perfect gift rather than the actual present.

Then we get too attached to a gift that we know deep down just isn’t right for us.

Not only is it ultimately unfulfilling to spend so much emotion on a gift that isn’t right for us, but we get complacent and stop looking for a gift that would better suit us.

I still think you’re talking about dating.

So do what you can to put yourself in the right places to find the perfect gift. Then keep your eyes open!

Perfect Gift Hunting is a Form of Creativity

Perfect Gift

Finding the perfect gift requires creativity.

Just like you’ll be a better painter by painting more or a better songwriter by writing more songs, you’ll be a better perfect gift shopper by spending more time shopping for the ideal gift.

When it comes to finding the perfect gift–whether it be for a birthday, holiday, anniversary, or whatever…

There is no time like the present.

You didn’t just…

Yes, I did!

We should have picked our perfect Christmas gifts months ago. If we’re at this time, middle December, and we’re not looking for the ideal Valentine’s Day gift yet…

It’s time to start paying attention.

What if It’s Already December?

If it’s already late November or December and you’re already feeling the pressure, have courage!

Or what if you just don’t have lots of money to spend?

Even better!

In my opinion, the best gifts are less expensive, but more memorable gifts. That’s the ultimate goal, right? Sure, you want the giftee to be happy with the present right now, but what you really want is for the giftee to remember the gift ten years from now.

My friend Erika Sauter has you covered with The Ultimate Broke-Ass Creative’s Holiday Gift Giving Guide*.

Erika curated a spectacular list of 15 unique, creative, and reasonably priced gift ideas!

By creative, do you mean cheap?

That’s why I said “memorable” first. Erika’s gift ideas aren’t just reasonably priced; they are gifts people will love, use, and remember!

perfect gift

Another Perfect Gift

What if you find another perfect gift or a more perfect gift? A perfecter gift.

Consider the two (or more) gifts and decide: Which is a better Christmas gift, and which is a better Valentine’s Day gift?

What if you find multiple perfect gifts?

Stock up.

Take me, for example. I don’t just write a blog post each week, then post it at 4:55 am Monday morning.

I write down ideas every day. I write every day in theory. I’ve got almost four hundred files of blog post ideas in various phases of editing.

I’m stocking up for a rainy day. At one time, I had 12 weeks of blog posts edited and queued up on WordPress. I’m not in such an ideal position lately.

So, yes…

7 Ways to Find the Perfect Gift in 2020

  1. Give the gift of travel.
  2. Start shopping early for the perfect gift.
  3. Give unexpected gifts.
  4. Stock up on perfect gifts.
  5. Give gifts at unexpected times.
  6. Listen to your loved ones.
  7. Take and keep notes.

1. Give the Gift of Travel

We tend to focus on things to give as gifts, but experiences make us happier than things. Additionally, the gift of travel will be delightfully unexpected. Not only do you get to enjoy the trip, but you also get to enjoy vacation anticipation!

A mind can hold unlimited amounts of precious memories, but closets and shelves can soon become crowded and cluttered. Experiences are more enjoyable, more memorable, and can bring more happiness than things.

In a post on my travel/fun blog, I explain why travel is the best Valentine’s Day gift. That idea applies to any special occasion, not just Valentine’s Day.

Consider this idea:

  • Book a Valentine’s Cruise and give that to your loved one for Christmas.
  • Then for Valentine’s Day, get your loved one an item they can use on the cruise.

That one getaway and its associated item give two unforgettable experiences to your loved one.

Or maybe you give the vacation as a Valentine’s Day gift and use Mother’s Day or Father’s Day to give presents useful for the trip.

“Clark, that’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.”

– Cousin Eddie Johnson, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Your loved one will get enjoyment well before and well after the gifted vacation. The anticipation and planning before the trip and the memories after the trip

2. Start Shopping Early for the Perfect Gift

The holidays shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone; Christmas happens every year. So why wait for November to start Christmas shopping. Strive to use November and December to shop for Valentine’s Day gifts. Finish your Christmas shopping by September.

If you’ve finished your Christmas shopping and happen to find a perfect Christmas gift in December, then put away the first gift and save it for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day.

It’s not even necessary to go shopping in September. Just keep your eyes open all year. Unless you confine yourself to a cave, you’ll see plenty of great gifts throughout the year.

3. Give Unexpected Gifts

Although any present is better than no present, receiving the same thing every occasion could lead someone to feel like your appreciation only goes so far. Try to give presents unlike any you’ve given before, or at least like something you haven’t given in a long time.

Travel is a great example of an unexpected gift. If you give flowers every year for Valentine’s or jewelry every year for Christmas, consider a getaway to a gorgeous, unforgettable destination.

4. Stock Up on Perfect Gifts

Don’t give all the presents at once. If you have extra, hide one somewhere safe so that you can use it for the next holiday. If you find a great gift in September, you can give the surprise in September or save it for Christmas or Valentine’s Day.

So rather than fretting about finding the perfect gift, simply get out there and keep your eyes open. The gift will choose the gifter.

Now you’re talking about magic wands.

After you’ve found the perfect gift, do you wrap it or put it in a gift bag?

5. Give Gifts at Unexpected Times

Even if it’s a gift you frequently give, giving it a different time is a delight for the receiver. If you give a great gift on a non-special occasion, you create a new special event. Consider a Thanksgiving gift or Groundhog Day gift.

If you have extra gifts for an upcoming special day, you always have the option of giving the gift during less-than-special occasions. Create new holidays. It’s not the kind that you have to repeat annually, but something that will be remembered and appreciated for years.

[special]If your perfect gift game is that good, though, shoot me an email! That’s a guide you and I can make some money on.[/special]

6. Listen to Your Loved Ones

If you listen closely enough, you’ll get plenty of hints for gift ideas. It’s even possible that they’ll drop hints on purpose for two reasons. They’ll drop hints to help you. Not not only want the experience, but they also want you to succeed.

Secondly, they might be seeing if you pay attention. That is a test you want to pass for multiple reasons.

They may mention:

  • movies they enjoy
  • books they’d like to read
  • their favorite colors and scents
  • Shows they’ve longed to see
  • events they’d like to attend,
  • places they want to visit

7. Take and Keep Notes

Keep notes on your phone or a scratchpad somewhere so that you have them handy when it’s time to shop. Don’t try to rely on memory. Notes kept in the Evernote app and the iOS Notes app are searchable and support text, links, and images.

Anytime inspiration strikes, record it in the app. If you’re not able to type in the app, use your voice recorded to record the idea and transfer it to text later.

Avoid Getting Stuck Without a Gift

As you can see, finding the perfect gift for any occasion requires paying attention all year long so that you’re prepared when the time of your special day arrives.

Considering unique gifts, paying attention all year, keeping notes, and stocking up on gifts is a great way to not only find the perfect gift but to have them ready for every special day.

Question?

What are the best gifts you’ve ever found?

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