The Gift Detective » Gift Giving Philosophy

Finding the Perfect Father’s Day Present

The Gift Detective — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 00:09:13 +0000

Well ladies and gentlemen, it is too late to order dad something (or the father figure in your life…don’t forget that he doesn’t have to be a father to be recognized on Father’s Day!) online for Father’s Day and still have it arrive on time so you’re going to have to go to a store and shop.

But this isn’t a bad thing! I recommend avoiding things like a “World’s Greatest Dad” mug and anything tie, tool, car or BBQ related unless your dad loves any of these things.

Think outside the box!

Don’t be afraid to buy your dad a gift that doesn’t scream “Father’s Day” because a gift that says “I love you!” is going to be much more pleasing than the traditional Father’s Day fare that places will be rying to sell you.

Start here: What does your dad love? What does he own currently that he uses, talks (brags) about, or you can’t imagine him living without?
Then: Decide where you might find the type of things he’ll love. The mall? Specialty shop? (food, wine, cigar, etc.) Find out where they are in your area and head over there!
Be Open Minded: Just because you have some ideas doesn’t mean that you’ll find it. Hey, you did wait until the last minute and stress isn’t always conducive to coming up with ideas. Take a deep breath, relax, and think of your dad. Really. Look at everything, touch things, think of him and you will see the right gift. Just be patient!
Wrap it: Your presentation says you care as much as going to the trouble of getting a gift. You don’t need to be fancy, you just need to make your best effort at making it nice!

In tomorrow’s post I will cover some neat gifts for Father’s Day that you can find at the mall. So don’t despair! Finding the perfect gift for your dad will be a breeze with the right mindset and putting him at the forefront of your mind!

If you’re in a real pickle, you still have time to hire me to help !

Happy gifting!

Toy Tuesday: When Is A Toy Not a Toy?

The Gift Detective — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 07:02:06 +0000

The answer? When the recipient is seven and it is an all consuming passion!!!

Do you remember the days when something as simple as a toy was that important to you? Sometimes we forget that we don’t have to buy kids an expensive electronic or video game. Maybe it is because we are a little out of touch with what is “cool” to a child or maybe all those advertisements for the next big thing sway our decisions more than we realize. But, as this e-mail exchange between my boyfriend, Alex, and his nephew, “O”, will show – a toy isn’t necessarily just a toy…

Not long ago, I was inspired to write a Toy Tuesday post about Transformers because Alex’s nephew (I’ll refer to him as “O” throughout the remainder of the post) loves Transformers.

The search for the perfect Transformer for “O” began with an e-mail from him to his Uncle one day in April…

Dear Alex:

I was hoping you could come here sometime in the summer. And I hope you can bring some of your Transformers along. I don’t care which Transformers you bring along, I just care if you bring some. I am considering that you are my buddy.

Love, “O”

Alex, of course, sent a reply to his buddy!

Hi “O”,

It’s nice to hear from you. I’m sorry to take a long time in answering. I have been hoping to be able to tell you that I would be able to come and visit with you this summer, but right now it is not looking like I will be able to. I hope you are having a nice time in California, and that you are going to have a very fun summer.

I’m going to send you a Transformer for you to play with, so you can know I’m thinking of you. I hope you like it!

Love,

Alex

This next letter from “O” to Alex is my favorite because it just goes to show how much a simple toy means to a kid! (note that we live in Boston, MA and “O” lives in CA!)

Dear Alex:

If you don’t send us the Transformer we will go to your place so you can give me the Transformer.

When are you sending the Transformer? I want to know when you are sending it so I know when I get it.

How are you doing today?

What kind of Transformer are you going to give me, an Autobot or a Decepticon?

I can’t wait until I get it.

Your friend,

“O”

Alex sent this Transformer:

and he received a thank you e-mail (which I don’t have a copy of yet, but will update the post if I get it) and now he has one very happy nephew!

Case closed.

Sleuthing Sunday: Graduation Gift – Recognition

The Gift Detective — Mon, 24 May 2010 06:13:23 +0000

Whether the grad in your life is graduating from high school or college, if you want to show you care about them, you should definitely acknowledge their accomplishment.

In fact, recognition is the best present you can give a graduate. How you recognize them is largely dependent on their personality and your time and budget, but recognizing them, even with a heartfelt card, is something that will let them know how proud you are of them – the best present you can give.

No idea what to get your graduate? Hire me to help! Want to get my help for FREE? No strings attached, it will cost you nothing – all you have to do is fill out a Sleuthing Sunday form.

Happy gifting!

Members Monday: Better Late Than Never

The Gift Detective — Mon, 10 May 2010 07:02:59 +0000

photo credit: mlcastle

We all have obligations that prevent us from getting something done that we really should have. Sometimes it is an unexpected bit of life that just gets in the way. Other times we forgot. Hey, it happens to the best of us! What to do? Please Login or Register to read the rest of this content. It is free and easy to become a member!

Last Minute Mother’s Day Ideas

The Gift Detective — Sat, 08 May 2010 22:53:35 +0000

It’s almost Mother’s Day and you’ve yet to do anything. No card, no flowers, no plans…no problem!

Illustration by M. Gauvin

If you truly appreciate your mom and you want to show her, chances are that she’s also someone who will be pleased with a little effort, a lot of love and some of your time. In fact, you can make your mom’s day great in just two easy steps…

The first step to making Mother’s Day great? Wish your mom a Happy Mother’s Day. I know, rocket science, isn’t it? I think so many people overlook the simplest things though and, because they think that maybe their mom doesn’t want a big fuss won’t make any fuss. You can do this via telephone, Skype, giving your mom a card or saying those three little words – pair them with the other three little words dear to her (you know, “I Love You!”) and say them with conviction and you will put a smile in her heart.
To completely make Mother’s Day a memorable and special one for your mom – do something with her! Most good moms will appreciate jewelry or flowers or some token gift but spending time with her will be the proverbial icing on the cake. Your mom loves you and wants to connect with you. Ideally you can spend the day with her tomorrow but, if not, make concrete plans to do something with her in celebration of Mother’s Day. Does she like to take walks? Visit museums? Garden? Shop? Make plans to do one of the things she loves with her. Do it without complaint! Don’t take her shopping and then go to the stores you like and look bored in the ones she loves or spend the afternoon in the garden with her and then complain about how dirty you got. Make this time together count! Time spent with you will be a gift to her and those memories you create together will be priceless.

Let your mom know how much you care!

Happy gifting!