Surprise your friends and family with your gift giving prowess.

If you give a gift off of a registry, does the thought still count?

3 minute read
Share article

We’re in the home stretch of the holiday gift giving season.  How’s your shopping list looking?  How has using Giftster made life easier for you?  Over the past few weeks, there have been a number of articles written on effective shopping and using online gift wish lists as an aid.  One even mentions Giftster!  These articles bring up some very good points about gift giving and, although not directly stated, effective gift list making.

Janice Monarrez points out in her article Dear Santa: Here’s My Registry that “seeing what’s on other people’s registries could lead to competitive gift-seeking.”  In the article, Monarrez has interviewed Simon Garcia, associate professor of psychology and organizational studies at the University of Michigan about people making social comparisons about theirs and others’ wish lists: high priced items on one list versus low priced on another; high end stores versus discount retail or big box stores.

This can definitely put a damper on gift giving, but in my opinion, it’s all about perspective.

While most people don’t expect to receive a gift outside of their immediate family (parents, grandparents, spouses, children, etc.), there may be those who know that someone is going to give them a gift.  For most people, what a person’s gift anticipation is of another better determines what kind of gift they may receive, and with that in mind, the gift list creator can wish accordingly.

I know that this is the case in my life.

I think of my own holiday gift anticipation in a tiered method.  I anticipate that, out of all the gifts I receive this holiday, my husband will most likely spend the most on my gifts.  Next are likely to be my parents, followed by my in-laws, then maybe my sister-in-law, cousins and best friends, and lastly my young kids and possibly my nieces and nephews.

When I created my own Giftster wish list, I added things that I would not only really like, but would also fit into any of these people’s budgets.

I have some jewelry listed on my wish list that I think would be nice to have.  I anticipate that my husband may choose something from this portion of my list.  I’m not expecting such extravagance from my sister-in-law or friends or cousins.

Also on my list are books, a couple movies, and some crochet tools I’d like to have.  While my husband could very well choose something from this portion of my list, I anticipate that it is more likely the others in my gift giving group may pick something from here.

I also have items listed that are inexpensive but no less desired.  One of my most favorite things is fun socks: striped socks, polka dotted socks, socks with cartoon characters – you get the idea.  I would be just as excited to get a fun pair of socks as I would a piece of jewelry on my list.  Why?  Because this is what I enjoy and my personal valuation of these items are equal, even though they do indeed have a difference in price.

Therefore, it’s important to know the gift givers in your life and list your wishes accordingly so those anticipated gift givers can give you the best possible gift within their budget.  No one should feel their gift is any less “worthy” because of the amount they spent on it.  If you didn’t want it, you wouldn’t have listed it.  The important thing si that the gift giver thought about you, they considered your thoughts when giving the gift by checking your Giftster wish list, and if you ask me, that’s a great thought that counts.

Share article
Giftster

Want gift giving to be fun again?

Quit guessing and stressing over gifts. Share and shop wish lists with family and friends for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and more.