If you find it takes you long enough to choose the perfect birthday or Christmas gift for your friends and family then maybe you struggle to box-off enough time to make sure your overall presentation is as attractive as it can be.
In these days of professional, shop-wrapped goodies, most people have a half-decent idea about what a well-wrapped gift should look like. Is the wrapping paper lined up properly and without creases? Have you picked out the perfect matching ribbon and bow? If you are posting your gift then have you protected the package properly so that it doesn’t get damaged in transit? This final attention to detail may seem like the less important component to gift buying, yet it can make all the difference. If you skimp on the basics, then it will give the wrong impression that you didn’t take a lot of time, or put much effort into, preparing your token of love.
Lay the groundwork
Success stories start with either a photographic memory for dates or a well-maintained diary. If your hardback calendar only gives you the briefest of warnings then perhaps a digitized version, set up with reminders of key dates fast approaching, would be the best way to make sure you always have enough time to select and prepare your presents. If you know a big day is on the horizon then you can set aside enough hours to source the goodies, serve them up and get them out on time! And if your parcel needs to hit the post then it’s prudent to work out in advance how many days it will take to arrive and work back from this point.
Now that you have your eyes on the selfless final prize, you can mark off the time needed to drag yourself around the shops or trawl the online stores in pursuit of a bargain that will put a big smile on the recipient’s face.
Stock up on the essentials
Some people are ridiculously organised in their approach and already have drawers full of greetings cards and wrapping paper for all occasions.
But if this doesn’t sound a lot like you, then it would be wise for you to learn how to over-prepare for wrapping presents! Even when you don’t have a specific birthday or occasion in mind it might be a good idea to stock up a few items that can speed up the process, if and when you need to get out a gift in a rush. Aside from more the obvious stuff like paper, cards, and ribbon, a ready supply of the following items can be a big help too:
– Bubble wrap to keep delicate items safe on the move
– Brown or ‘fragile’ parcel tape
– Cardboard boxes in a variety of sizes
– Vacuum storage bags
A fine selection of cards and wrapping paper can be found online from well-known companies like Clintons Cards. And you can pick up the extra bits you need to prepare your gift for send-off from a reputable storage, boxing and packaging company such as Safestore.
Think about the delivery
Sometimes the way in which you present a gift can be just as special as the gift itself. You can spend time preparing the delivery of your gifts in a way that makes the gift even more special. You could wrap it nicely with a bow or ribbon, or you could build a presentation stand somewhere bright in your home.
Another idea is to write down some kind words that you want to tell your recipient as and when you decide to hand over the gift.
A final word
So keep an up-to-date calendar, think about your loved ones and the gifts they like before the time pressures kick-in, and stock-up on the less exciting bits and bobs that will help you to get your gift out of the door safely and with ample time.
Yes, it may well be true that giving is more rewarding than receiving. But if the giving process leaves you stressed out, panicked, and rushed then it will certainly test this theory and may well take the shine off your kind deed.
