Christmas shopping can be tricky, so to help you avoid the awkwardness that comes with gifting faux pas this Christmas, personalised gifts experts Getting Personal conducted a survey to reveal how the nation really feels about giving and receiving presents.
A great gift can be hugely meaningful, however, according to a new study, get it wrong and over 1 in 10 Brits (12%) would consider ending a friendship and a further 8% wouldn’t hesitate to cut all ties.
Speaking in partnership with Getting Personal, etiquette expert, William Hanson, has shared his top tips for further avoiding gifting faux pas’ this Christmas:
- Give something personal
“Giving something personal that is tailored to the recipient lies at the heart of good gift-giving. We’ve all received presents that are way short of the mark. Knowing the giver has put next to no thought into what they give you can be incredibly demoralising.”
- If you’re popular, you need to make a list
“If you’re socially popular and/or have a large family, it can confuse who you need to buy for, who buys for you, and what you got them last year. To make things as easy as possible, use a simple spreadsheet or note on your phone to record all this data. While it sounds like a hassle to set up, once it’s done, it will make your life a lot easier.”
- Never re-gift
“Two things: if you didn’t like it in the first place, why do you think someone else would like it? It’s basically silently saying, ‘This is cheap and nasty, but I thought you’d love it’.”
- Don’t be too eager to gift
“With new romantic relationships, sometimes the heart takes over and the more grounded thoughts from the head are silenced. Don’t go too overboard with sentiment or budget if you really are in the early days. If you’re unsure whether you should get them anything, just ask them – communicate.”
The survey findings revealed that when it comes to new relationships, you should wait until you’ve been dating someone for four months before you even consider buying them a gift!
- Always bring a gift when visiting a house
“When visiting friends or family for Christmas dinner, it is still the correct form to bring a gift. This habit dates back to the 1930s in the USA, coming over to British shores in the 50s. Again, it is better to take something tailored to your host. If you know they love Italian Merlot, bring that. But don’t expect any host gifts to be consumed at the party. It’s a gift for the hosts at a later date.”
- Going off-list is okay… sometimes
“Let’s get this straight: going ‘off-list’ is not a crime. This applies to birthdays, Christmas and weddings. If someone has a gift registry or an ideas list, you do not have to select from it. You can pick your own present for them, so long as you keep it personal and tailored to them. Remember, you’re buying for them, not you.”
- You don’t need to open the gift in front of the giver
“While in the West it’s not taboo to open a present in front of the recipient, there is no expectation for you to do that. Once they have handed it over, it’s no longer in their control.”
- Always say thank you
“Whatever present you get, whether it’s great or gross, please do not forget to thank the giver. If they give it to you in person, you can thank them there and then, but a thank you letter, text, email or phone call will always be appreciated and never be incorrect.”
To browse unique, personalised gifts, perfect for Christmas, visit the Getting Personal website.
