On the surface, it may be concerning to vocalize prioritizing gifts in building relationships. It could come across as materialistic and focused on the wrong things. However, that perspective fails to account for the impact gift-giving can have on deepening connections.
With the right approach and appropriate context, gifts are an excellent way to start and even maintain relationships. It just takes a bit of strategy and effort to pull it off. Here are a few ways gift-giving can benefit your personal relationships.
Show Support
During tough times, it’s hard to know how to be there for loved ones. Are they hoping for a call every day or just a semi-regular check-in? Do they want to talk about their situation at length or do they need space? These questions plague people every day. The good news is you can use gifts as a sign of support and take guessing out of the equation.
As the perfect balance of thoughtfulness and personalization, gifts leave an impact when life gets hard. Recipients know they’re loved and that their struggle isn’t being overlooked. However, they’re not forced to welcome guests into their homes or see anyone face-to-face. This leaves the space necessary to heal and recover from whatever they’re going through on their own.
So, if you’re hoping to be there for your loved one without intruding, look no further than sympathy gifts. You’ll be able to customize something that fits the situation and reminds you of your friend or family member. They’ll enjoy the kind gesture and remember your support fondly. While it won’t resolve their hardship, it can make life a bit easier. And when everything seems to be going wrong, that’s quite a vote of confidence.
Build New Bonds
Small talk is the bane of many people’s existence. It’s trite and awkward, riddled with pauses and filler words as your mind buffers for a topic to discuss. Once you find something you have in common, though, the tone of the conversation shifts. You have something to talk about that forms a bond between you and the other person. Think of gift-giving in the same way, especially if you’re just getting to know someone.
All it takes is one fandom, show, or sports team in common. With that mutual interest in place, you can explore a world full of gifts to grow closer. Take a mutually loved hobby like painting, for example. If you meet someone who also loves painting, you can gift them paint supplies or tickets to an art museum. Or you could plan a painting party to get a group of people together to practice their skills.
Those are just a few examples of how one shared interest can lead to a domino effect of gift ideas. Plus, you’re building your bond with each and every activity you do together. As time passes, you’ll develop inside jokes and touch base with each other about your mutual interest. Those conversations will further bond you together. Before you know it, you’ll forget you weren’t incredibly close not that long ago.
Make a Good First Impression
Whether you’re meeting the parents or friends of a friend, first impressions leave a lasting impact. For better or worse, you’re associated with what people thought of you when you first met. Luckily, you can leave a positive mark with the right gift.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money or even time picking something out. First-impression gifts are meant to be kind gestures and create a positive association. So, get a bit of information about the recipients before shopping and you’ll be all set. If you’re getting food, know if they have allergies. If you’re buying a bottle of wine, ensure they’re not alcohol-free or die-hard beer drinkers.
From there, it’s hard to go wrong. A bouquet of flowers or sweet treats from a local bake shop can do the trick. Even a card is a solid option to let them know you thought about them ahead of arriving at their home. Rest assured that whatever you do will bolster your reputation.
Create Memories
Giving a gift is more than just handing a wrapped box to a loved one. It’s more than simply providing something you know they’ll use and love. Ultimately, giving a gift is a way to create lasting memories.
That’s largely because giving gifts is an experience on its own. You’re at a birthday party or other celebration that’s made more memorable by the gift-opening process. Whether something went awry — like a wrapping paper malfunction — or the gift was an inside joke, it stuck. That element of gift-giving supersedes the impact of the item being gifted.
Not to mention there’s a whole process to finding the perfect present. It means more when you spend a few minutes wavering between the red or blue colorway. It’s increasingly thoughtful the more energy and time you put into making the purchase decision. And those memories paired with the act of gifting the item itself deepen the bond of your relationship.
A Lasting Gift
Personal relationships aren’t dependent upon what each person can give to the other. However, the impact of gifts can be significant for relationships new and old. So, the next time you want to show your love to someone, look no further than the perfect present.