The A to Z of Gift Minders

lways begin with a budget in mind. You cannot lust after Swarovski on a choestring budget. Keep your heart and head together.

uy some time for yourself before buying the gift. Stick to the cliché "haste makes waste". Don't let the calendar play havoc with your mind. And the gift ofcourse.

ash in the person / group's personality and lifestyle. So do your own bit of probing into their minds and hearts. So that your gift first into their minscape.

on't refrain from asking your loved ones what it is that they want / need. Sometimes the best gift idea could come from them. At least, your gift will never be a mistake.

mpower your imagination by a casual dekho at malls, advertisements and consumer exhibitions. You're sure to find inspiration, if not the gift.

eel free to go unconventional, if you are sure the person would appreciate the mad streak and not be mad instead. Wild gifts need strong shock absorbers.

o that extra mile for that personal touch. Make that greeeting card/gift yourself, rather than rushging for readymade stuff. Spending your thoughts would make your gift more precious than spending money.

old on to the surprise however tempted you are to give it away. Patience here can prove to be a gift by itself. All in all, let a surprise be a surprise.

mpressing the giftee is fine, but don't go overboard and spellbind the person to the extent of embarrassment. Let the aftermath be pleasant, not overwhelming.

ust going exotic for the heck of it is meaningless. Superficial style always loses to genuine substance. Leave the trumpeting to elephants.

eep in mind the size of the person, in case going in for apparel. An ill-fitting garment can take all the pep out of the gift. As well as the giftee. Find discreet ways to get that vital information.

ove conquers all except an unromantic ambience. Giving a Valentine gift in a noisy, dilapidated restaurant can be a turn off.

issing the occasion is like missing the bus. It's best to wait for the next one. Or compensate for it at some later date without making your waning memory obvious to the person. Belated gifts are fine, provided they are not too belated.

icknames addressed on the gifts often bridge uneasy gulfs and make the tone or the gift a whole lot warmer, tugging at the heart. Try not to do that for your boss, though.

pt for gifts that suit the seasonal climate. Gifting a warm pullover in May is as absurd as gifting a parasol in November. Otherwise your gifts may wither before the weather.

rice tags left on the gifts devalue them instantly, reminding the giftee of how much he is worth! Such lack of finesse would only show you in a poor light, besides insulting the giftee's sentiments.

uantity never wins over quality. So settle for a few best things than a whole range of substandard items for a gift. Chances are the former will be more appreciated than the latter.

eceive a gift with grace and gratitude rather than outright denial or a "you didn't need to do this!" that may not go down too well with the gifter who may feel offended. After all, giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin.

earch, search till you find the right gift. The effort, the sweat is all part of the actual gift. So don't go for easier options - it only means your heart is not into the gift.

ensed and anxious are not the best moods to go gift hunting. The result will be irritability rather than the sheer joy of getting the gift right. So calm down and then hit the mall.

nisex gifts are preferred by very few. So make sure you don't pack off a unisex T-shirt / perfume to someone who prefers to stick to his / her own gender.

ictimizing the giftee by passing on some gift that you had received a year back but didn't - know - what - to - do - with - it is tarnishing the spirit behind gifting. Avoid pass-it-on games.

rapping the gift is an art by itself. It can enhance or then kill the real thing. So package the gift with taste, keeping in mind what's inside. The book is judged by its cover, remember.

pecting a gift in return is not the hallmark of the thoroughbred. For that matter, even comparing the gift you receive with the one you gave the person is unbecoming of the cultured.

arn-spinning or recounting tales of the tedium involved in the gift hunting can dampen spirits. Best to keep your saga to yourself rather than a "Look, how many troubles I went through for you"

est when accompanying the gift acts like an elixir for the giftee. A morose or matter-of-fact attitude can rub on to the gift as well, creating dull vibes ona happy occasion. An antithesis to keep away from.