In this day and age, it’s hard to find the perfect gift for someone. Whether you are buying gifts for a friend or family member, your best bet is to ask them what they want. It may be something they have told you about in passing, or maybe they haven’t even mentioned it yet.
If that sounds like too much work, here are four tips to help customers find presents with ease.
Keep an open mind
When shopping for people, there is no right way to do things. While some people will buy anything from the first store they walk into, others will only shop at stores where they feel comfortable. If someone has never shopped for you before, it helps if you can get them acquainted with the process.
Start by showing them pictures of products on the website and asking if they have any questions. Ask them to look around the store and tell you what they see. This will allow you to know what items interest them and which ones don’t.
If you aren’t sure what to get them, take their preferences and ideas into consideration when choosing. For example, if they love to garden, consider getting them a gardening book or DVD. They also might enjoy watching cooking shows, so a good cookbook would make a great present. You can always add on other gifts later based on what you learn about their interests.
Don’t forget to research prices
A big part of finding the perfect gift is knowing how much money to spend. There are several ways to save money when buying gifts. First, look online for sales and deals. Online retailers often offer discounts just because they have sold out of certain items and are trying to clear inventory. Second, check the price of similar items at brick-and-mortar stores. Third, visit stores that specialize in the type of product you want to buy. The clerk behind the counter will likely know exactly what to recommend.
Finally, don’t hesitate to bargain. People love giving gifts and receiving them in return. Most shops won’t give you a discount unless you ask for one. They may not even say “no” if you ask for one. Just ask!
Check social media
You probably already know that social media is a gold mine for finding gift ideas. There are countless websites dedicated to sharing photos of products and services. These sites include Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Use these sites to help you figure out what kind of gifts your loved ones want to receive.
Look through photos posted by friends and family members to find things that match their tastes. If they post a picture of their favorite outfit, try looking up clothing options that match the style of that particular item. You could also search through photos of their pets or children to find toys or accessories that appeal to them.
Ask people who know them well
You can easily find information about the personality and taste of anyone you know. Your mother-in-law loves to bake? Look up recipes that she enjoys baking. Your coworker loves collecting coins? Check out coin collecting websites and apps, and then order a few dollars worth of coins yourself and surprise her.
This method works best if you know the person very well. If you don’t know them well, you should still use social media to research their likes and dislikes. But once you have determined their main interests, talk to them directly to find out more specifics. If they love playing golf, you can go to your local course and play some 18 holes with them!
