The Gift-Giving Guide, Part IV
1-2. The Recommended Gift
What it is: This is the type of gift that's blindly recommended for any person who fits into a predefined broad category. Go to any online retailer at this time of year, and you'll see dozens of recommendations for him, for her, for the student, for the chef, for the teenager, etc.
These gifts are pretty good for everyone, but not specific to any one person. (This makes them the opposite of Perfect Gifts, which are selected with one specific recipient in mind.)
Who it's good for: As much as we'd like to have limitless shopping time and to know intended gift recipients perfectly, there are many times when we are somehow obligated to buy a present for a person we don't know very well. Standard gift lists can be very helpful when we have to buy a gift for a coworker, new in-laws or an office gift exchange.
Who it's not good for: The Recommended Gift is the jack of all trades and the master of none. It serves reasonably well for almost everyone, but perfectly for almost no one. If you know the recipient well enough to buy something more specific to their tastes, do so.
Bottom line: These gifts can be somewhat generic, but sometimes they're the best you can do. And it's the thought that counts, right?
3 Comments:
my strategy? make 'em something:
http://www.ryanbyrd.net/rambleon/?p=471
http://www.ryanbyrd.net/rambleon/?p=485
ryan byrd dot net
When are we going to get the rest? I remember you working out a rudimentary form of this analysis a couple years ago. :)
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You know, I just knew part seven would help me out for Christmas.
2009.....
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