When an occasion arrives when you anticipate receiving gifts, there is probably someone you know who always gives you a gift that instantly becomes the most memorable gift you receive. You can develop the art of gift giving so that you become the person whose gift is the most eagerly anticipated and the most memorable.

The gift you give someone should that indicate that you are aware of the interests, hobbies, personality, and lifestyle of the person you are giving the gift to. Your level of awareness will, of course, depend on each individual circumstance. Most likely you will be very familiar with the hobbies and interests of family members. However, you may be less aware of the personal preferences a co-worker might have. Assess each situation carefully and you can quickly become the person who gives the most anticipated gift.

A gift basket with each item individually selected based on your familiarity of the person you are giving the gift to is an excellent gift idea. When someone receives a collection of items directly related to their hobby, their personal interests, their wardrobe style, or the design of their home, they are reminded of how unique and special they are. They are also made aware of how attentive you are to their interest and lifestyle.

The more personalized the gift, the more memorable it is. The key is personalized, not personal. Personalized gifts include items such as a calendar, tote bag, or framed picture with photos from a vacation they enjoyed or photos of their children or pets. Everyone likes to see their name on something. Personalized can mean something as simple as a coffee mug with their name, or something more elegant, such as engraved jewelry.

When you know a person well, you usually know of something they would love to have but will not splurge on for themselves. Showing someone you are aware of their wishes and desires is a large part of the art of gift giving. Giving gifts that encourage someone to follow their dreams shows them that you believe they have the ability to achieve those dreams and you want to encourage them on the journey.

The art of gift giving doesn’t always involve material or tangible gifts. You could give someone the gift of your time by offering to do something for them such as mow or rake their lawn, drive them somewhere if they don’t drive, watch their children for them to have a night out, or whatever might apply to their specific situation.

The art of gift giving involves taking the time to find out what a person needs, likes, or wants. It requires creativity and a sincere desire to bring a smile to someone’s face on a special day.