The True Gift of a Gift

A gift is so much more than a present. It is literally an expression of who you are, like your very own special signature; allowing you to leave a lasting impression.

Conventionally, there are various occasions where gifts are given but you really don’t have to wait for an occasion. Some of the best gifts are the ones that simply say, “There’s no particular reason for this other than that I was thinking about you and that I care….” Gifts provide you with a means of expressing thoughts and feelings that are sometimes difficult to capture with words alone. Since occasions are diverse, it is important to ensure that your gift is tailor made to reflect who you are and say what you want to say.

An appropriate gift will often times create a scenario for an immediate expression from the recipient. A new pair of elegant shoes on her birthday for instance, makes Naomi say, “I can’t wait to wear you to work tomorrow” or Emeka’s new pen from his wife on his promotion to Chief Editor of The Morning Times elicited this response, “I feel inspired to write!” Isn’t that what we want; for our gifts to invoke such excitement?

Most of us are either too busy or dare I say lazy and don’t know what is considered appropriate, so  end up giving money as a gift. While there’s nothing wrong with this gesture, it tends to rob us off the true intent of what we wish to convey.

“I’m truly sorry…”

“I thought you would really like this…”

“This is only the beginning…”

“You deserve much more…”

These are just some of the powerful catch phrases that are uttered when we give  gifts.  It is an expression of how we truly feel or what we think of the recipient. Never underestimate the positive effect it has on a person, just to know that someone was thinking about them and cared enough to pay a little attention to detail. The right gift doesn’t have to cost you an eye, tooth and a leg. In fact, never be overly concerned about the monetary value of any gift beacuse it is the thoughts and feelings behind the gift that count, and they are…priceless.

A gift does not necessarily have to be wrapped but when it is, it can be a wonder to behold.  Today, our options for gift-wrapping accessories like gift wrap paper, gift bags, gift boxes, bows and ribbons are limitless. They come in various shapes, sizes, patterns and colors and give your gift character and class. I like to think that a well-wrapped gift transforms your present into a presentation!

So, the next time you want to give a gift, pause, think about the person and creating a pleasant lasting impression…one that is sure make a beautiful memory.

Amanda Amusan is the CEO of Gifts ‘n’ Bits.