Added: 02/02/2006 |
Some Hot Pieces Of Advice From A Gift StoreThere are so many gift stores and shops that sometimes it?s quite difficult to choose a present ? You are just dazzled by such a diversity of items. Every gift store staff knows, and can make use of. so-called gift giving etiquette for a customer who has no an idea of what to buy. There are some rules with certain Do's and Don?t?s. Here are some of them:
Be aware of religious differences. If a person you are going to give a present to is religious, try to choose a present that won?t be contrary to his or her religion.
For Muslims: Anything to do with pigs or its byproducts is considered forbidden, such as leather (from pig's skin), lard (found in some food products), and/or gelatin (found in sweets).
For Buddhists: Beef and its byproducts are usually not consumed by people of this faith because cows are considered their sacred animals.
For Christians: Most Christians would not like to receive statuettes representing some form of gods from other cultures. Idol deification is prohibited in this faith.
Be aware of racial, cultural, and regional differences. Orientals have their own sets of taboos. Anything that is a homophone to another with an ill-omened meaning must be avoided. For example, clocks are homophones to "funeral" items, like knives and letter openers are also not good gift items. Even a color plays an important role. Black, white, and sometimes yellow are believed to be unlucky and one should avoid giving such things as a gift at all cost. In Japan, gift giving plays an important role, and there are even gift giving protocols that one must adhere to.
If you are to make a gift for a child, gift store personnel, first of all, propose you to choose a toy. Good toys for children are:
- interesting to the child;
- proper for the child's physical capacities;
- appropriate for the child's mental and social development;
- encouraging the learning process;
- well-constructed, durable, and safe for the age of the child.
And, at last, here are some general and universal smart gift choosing tips:
Pay attention. Take a good look at the home decor. It?ll give many clues as to what the person would enjoy receiving. But there are universal things. Home decor items, like lamps, clocks, art, and giftware make great gifts because they will be used by the special person everyday. These items can be given for different occasions, like graduations, anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, etc.
Ask questions like:
- What is the person?s lifestyle?
- What is her/his age?
- What do they do with their free time?
- What grade or profession are they in?
- What culture/heritage/religion are they?
- What style of home, furniture, clothes, etc. do they like?
The answers to these questions will help you create a gift-giving "profile," which will help you to narrow your gift choices.
Plan ahead! Keep a list of birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
Purchase a gift when you find it. It doesn?t matter when the occasion is. If you come across a nice, practical, and appropriate gift, buy it even if the occasion is several months away!
Don?t buy expensive gifts. Gifts do not have to be expensive to be appreciated or appropriate. Gifts that show your time and effort are just as special as expensive ones.
Avoid religious gifts, except for close family members of the same religion.
Save your receipts. To be on the safe side, save your receipts just in case a return or an exchange is necessary.
If the occasion is special, we propose you to take note of such tips:
Mother's/Father's Day: Your gift must reflect how much you appreciate how much they have done for you.
Wedding/Anniversary: Choose a gift the couple will use, remember, and appreciate. Home decor items are the best!
Retirement: Clocks make great retirement gifts.
We hope our tips will help you to be at the advantageous position in every gift store. Anyway, the gift store staff will render assistance if it?s needed. Good luck!
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