Choosing the right gift

By Mercy Kagwiria

Those who engage in gift-giving regularly will appreciate that this is no easy task. Often we are lost for thought as to what gift would be appropriate to the receiver. The selection process brings with it great anxiety, apprehension and un-ease especially during the internal processes of vetting the recipient’s tastes, preferences, likes and dislikes. The underlying truth is that giving is about the receiver not the giver. One is therefore put to task to select the most appropriate gift. In carefully considering that statement, we need to ask ourselves the chief question: Is there such a thing as "the appropriate gift?" The aptness of a gift is determined through consideration of several factors which include circumstances under which the gift is being presented; prevailing relationships between you and the receiver; intention or message being sent across; and the probable preference and social status of the receiver. A gift may be appropriate for one occasion but be totally inapt for another. Take the example of a staff member giving her boss a perfume or a piece of intimate clothing. While a boyfriend or husband would totally appreciate a box of perfume, a not-so-close person may get deep into thoughts wondering if they have body odour while the tie may imply a desire to be close to someone’s heart.