Gifts & Occasions

Gifting is so much more than just the physical exchange of objects — it’s a way to communicate and to send a message to the recipient of the gift. When you put some thought into it and choose a meaningful present, the gift becomes a wish for someone’s happiness.

Some gifts are big, other gifts are small. But, the best gifts of all are ones that come from the heart!

Anyone can give a thoughtful present — all it takes is a little perceptiveness and creativity. With these top tips for mastering the art of meaningful gift-giving, you’ll leave ready to take the prize for “best-gift-given” at your next special occasion!

• Give by observing - pay attention to what friends and loved ones say and what their interests are. People are constantly dropping hints about their likes and dislikes, often when you least expect it! Would they like something useful, or something decorative? Something for the house, or something for themselves? Also, understand the circumstances of your recipients. People don’t always ask for what they want — or even realize that they need it — but by paying attention to what would make their life easier or what they need, you can almost always pick the perfect unique gift.
• Give by personality - failing to consider who you’re giving to is a sure-fire way to have an awkward gifting experience. But matching the gift to their unique personality sends a message that says you care about who they are.
• Give by niche or hobby - your friends’ and relatives’ hobbies can also steer you in the right direction when it comes to finding the perfect gift. Are they a gardener, or perhaps a wine lover? Giving within that interest is a great way to let them know that you notice and appreciate this unique aspect of them.
• Give creatively - unique gifts that you make yourself are especially meaningful because they show your loved one that you used your time, energy, and creative juice to get them something nice. The possibilities for do-it-yourself gifts are endless and you can take inspiration from almost anywhere.
• Give an adventure - adventures can make great non-material gifts, especially if your recipient likes to get out. An adventurous gift can be anything from a skydiving experience to a membership to a local museum or state park!

Should you choose to shop from the comfort of your home online, here are some tips and tricks to make sure you shop safely, securely and smartly:

• Shop with trusted online retailers or do thorough research before making purchases from unknown retailer sites.
• Never provide your credit card information if you do not see the ‘padlock’ on the upper left-hand side of your address bar, or if the address begins with “http://” instead of “https://”.

• Keep your information private. If the retailer asks for too much information such as your birth-date and social security numbers, do not complete the transaction.
• After shopping online, it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on all your banking statements, checking them weekly rather than by the month, just in case something slipped to a hacker. Notify your cardholder service if there are any discrepancies immediately.
• Maintain good virus protection on your computer to prevent spyware and other hacks from accessing your information. Many trusted anti-virus services are available online for free so you can take advantage of convenient online shopping.
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi to do your shopping, rather use secure connections.
• Be cautious of unsolicited emails and pop-up internet adverts with too-good-to-be-true offers. Use caution when a deal is drastically better than others and always double-check before clicking on ads.