While the holidays can bring out the best in people, they can just as easily bring out the worst. We aren’t talking about sour attitudes in long lines or family members who don’t see eye-to-eye on politics — we mean gifts.
The season thrives on giving, but that doesn’t mean it should be a free-for-all. There is a particular etiquette that should be followed when giving gifts to loved ones.
Here are some unspoken rules we follow when it comes to gift buying. From how much money is appropriate to spend to deciding if you even need to buy your cousin a gift, we’re covering all of the bases. Happy gifting!
Regift with purpose. If you absolutely think a present you previously received would be better suited for someone else, go ahead and regift. But go about it carefully and don’t regift because you’re too lazy to go shopping — because regifting doesn’t always go so smoothly. To avoid any awkward situations, never regift anything that’s used, custom, or could be traced to the original giver.
Not everyone needs a present. You shouldn’t be filing for bankruptcy to give everyone in the office a gift. Put money into presents for the people that matter most and treat everyone else to homemade goodies or a special note instead. This gesture will be appreciated significantly more than a random gift that was picked from the dollar bin.
Stick to appropriate gifts. Don’t make your recipient uncomfortable by giving them an overpriced or elaborate gift; they’ll feel pressure to reciprocate, which completely misses the point of the holidays. It’s always nice to give someone something special, but make sure it a) is in your price range, and b) is suitable for your relationship with this person.
When in doubt, don’t buy it. Only purchase gifts you believe will bring joy to the receiver. A thoughtful gift makes a world of difference and can be a true reflection of how you feel about this person. Don’t buy your serious aunt a gag gift just because you think it’s funny. Think of them, not yourself.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
