Style
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday November 21, 2009
Can you get Christmas presents right everytime? Absolutely - it's easy and you don't have to spend a fortune to do it. The secret of choosing the right gift is to remember money is no substitute for thoughtfulness. The whole point of a gift is show the recipient you appreciate and love them. If you choose a present with care, you really can hit the mark every time. And for a lot less money than you think.Be smart. Plan ahead. Work out what your family and friends like. Then make sure what you buy is appropriate for them. The best things are treats people would never buy themselves. Something beautiful with looks that will last; from a pretty marble bowl to a beautiful magnifying glass, some hand-blocked Indian storage boxes, that will bring daily pleasure. Anything that conforms to your pal's taste, but they would think too indulgent to buy for themselves. Even something surprisingly handy, like a fabulous pair of secateurs, a lovely tape measure, a spool of imported string, or a wooden chopping board made from a single block.Give things they will like, not things that you would like to own. Use imagination and empathy. If you're stuck, classic gifts such as personalised stationery or a quality leather diary are old faithfuls that always work. Look for things that don't take up too much space. Nothing induces heartsink like a huge object your friend knows will be difficult to hide without you noticing its absence. And avoid anything with a busy border. The fancy details that you think 'just makes it' are more likely to be the very thing that makes it all wrong.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald