Creativity and Christmas Presents.

Creativity and Christmas presents??

….and now for something completely different. There is danger ahead!??

Choosing Christmas presents: a challenge for all of us.?

A bit of creative thinking will save the day and give you an epic win.?

Remember it’s not the amount you spend on a present that is appreciated, it’s the amount of thinking, meaning and effort you put into it.?

You absolutely cannot buy your way out of this challenge.?

In fact, an expensive misfire is worse than a cheap one! Ouch.?

Lots to say on this. Too much for a post, so article it is…I hope it helps you in the weeks ahead. Enjoy.?

What does success look like? The best present is one that is personal,?well thought through and a delight to receive.??

What does failure look like? An opening disappointment, is generic, not specific and? shows you neither understand or know the person.??

99 times out of 100 a small heartfelt gift is way more valuable to receive than an expensive misfire. Gift-giving is a perfect opportunity for you to show you get the person.?

Creative thinking will come to your rescue, gather the knowledge, put in the time to find the inspiration, and then evaluate against the success criteria.?

KNOWLEDGE. However well you think you know the person there is always new stuff to find out. This knowledge will be used to evaluate your present success criteria.?

Observe and gather your data. Think -??

• What brands do they like?
• What colours do they like (and also avoid)?
• what do they like do / activities
• Where and what do they enjoy eating, drinking and avoid??
• What do they get excited about??
• What causes do they care about?

Ask around and gather your data?

• Friends, family and the individual are your resources - be an empathy detective??
• The power of the conversation - find out what they like dislike and think about??
• Be subtle, be lateral and be resourceful??

INSPIRATION to find the present that fits the person.?

There are only a few types of presents. Think of what you know about the person and imagine one present from each of the 4 types below and one will jump out as the best choice. Here are some examples?

Present type 1 -? A physical and personal present??

• Clothes??
• Personal care items?
• Books?
• Watches or wearables??

?

Present type 2 – A Physical home or general use present??

These are great gifts that keep on giving but must exceed expectations or they can be rather flat.?

• Kitchen equipment??
• Garden equipment??
• Hobby equipment??
• Stuff – pictures, ornaments and displayables??

Present type 3 – A individual or shared experience??

• Tickets? - shows, festivals, events, travel??
• Activity experience – 4x4 adventures, hiking, walking??
• Learning experience – new skills or visits to learn?
• A course or training - making things, arts and crafts,?

Present type 4 – A virtual present?

• Music subscription??
• Magazine subscription – I loved my National Geographic subscription??
• An app or game subscription??
• I’d suggest not an NFT or crypto…or perhaps buy the dip!?

Now you have chosen one from each it is time to…?

EVALUATE which one is the winner. Don’t forget your runners up in case someone asks you what you think the person would like for Christmas.?

Here are some useful do’s and don’ts. To help with your evaluation-?

DO?

• align the options with the person and not what you like.?
• check out your thinking with others if you need.?
• try and find something that gives on giving rather than can only be used and had once.?
• try and get a present that solves a problem.?
• get the best possible quality version of the carefully selected item, cheap or easily broken is going to be underwhelming.?

DON’T?

• get overcome by enthusiasm, especially if you love something will they? Be objective??
• overspend or under spend?
• underestimate the power of good wrapping it shows you care it shows you understand the power of the giving and receiving experience?
• buy a present that creates a problem. Buying someone an experience that you are not organising can become another thing they then have to organise themselves.?

Just as in business; know your customer, exceed their expectations and show you care.?

Get all three nailed and you are in for a very Merry Christmas.?