We have seen and heard from just about everyone that there are some serious supply chain problems, labor shortages, and delays in shipping....all of which are not ideal for any type of gift shopper.
The reality of this year reinforces why we are always preaching to plan ahead, gift early, and avoid the crazy holidays...but with that said, I am very aware of the undeniable reality that many people are still looking to get their hands on gifts right now, and physically getting your hands on the perfect gift is a little bit of a problem. And this goes for business gifting, and personal gifting alike.
I'm going to the shelves themselves. Right Now.
With shipping times unpredictable + lengthy, and stock low just about everywhere, the more "planned" way of gift shopping online is presenting some interesting challenges...that many people did not account for.
So, I started to do a little in person gift shopping. See what gifts I can physically get my hands on to avoid any of the shipping and stocking chaos later down the line.
But I forgot how different In-Person Gift Shopping is!
I took some time on my vacation this weekend to shop around for gifts in local stores in Charleston, SC. Wherever you are in the next couple of weeks, on a gifting mission or not, here are a few things that I had to remind myself as I shopped around for gifts.
#1 DO NOT SETTLE just because the gift is "fine"
When there is an "okay" gift standing right in front of you that could do the job, but isn't great...it's sometimes hard to turn down-for the sake of convenience!
For many people, buying gifts is something they need to "get done". And yes, we want you to execute the gift giving process, but it should never be rushed, and it should never be executed poorly....because there's actually some harm in that.
"70% of business gift recipients' have developed negative feelings at least once from the gifting of a thoughtless item." -Knack Business Gifting Strategy Report
We're gifting to make someone feel appreciated. To wow them. To nurture a relationship. We're NOT gifting "just to gift." It's easy to walk around a store and pick up a few eye catching items, check it off your gift list and leave. Just be careful.
#2 Research FIRST
More often than not, I go into stores aimlessly and the perfect gift, for the perfect person, will pop right out at me....but that is because I know the people who I am gifting. Like really know them.
This all goes back to Mackay's 66 questions. I sound like a broken record! But seriously, knowing your customer, client, employee, prospect is important even when you are going on vacation or to the mall! You never know what amazing gift you may be able to snag off of the shelf, right in front of you, and especially this season, you should be ready to do so.
My tip for this--know the people you are gifting and a few "main ideas" that can be spun into gifts! Personal example, but I have a family friend that lives.breathes.dies sustainable living. She's passionate about the environment, Acts, and loves her cats. *by the way...all of this can pretty easily be said by someones social media-so check that!* These are the main ideas I would keep in mind. From that-there are SO MANY wonderful gifts that could pop out at me (and this weekend in Charleston they did!)
#3 Remember your Gift Closet
Going against basically everything I just said....if you fall in love with something on the shelves and don't know exactly who it would fit right now...get it. Add it to your gifting closet.
I am not encouraging random gift buying (although I do it all of the time-oops.) but I am encouraging the habit of being ready to give a gift at a moments notice. And especially this year, with the Supply Chain the way it is, it may be useful to have a few KILLER gifts up your sleeve.
All I have to say to close this off though is...refer to #1. Even though a gift is going into your gifting closet for now, it needs to be just as amazing, IF NOT BETTER. Don't think of it as a "back-up", you just haven't found it the right home yet (:
#4 Get Creative and Consider Shopping Small
What we are teaching here is that gifting first and foremost is a tool to help you connect with others. Professionally, and personally.
But what is not always brought up is how great of a social impact gifting can have as well...and leaning into this may actually elevate that gifting experience even more!
"C-Suite Executives were most likely to rate gifts from business partners with value attributes as "most preferable" overall" -Knack Business Gifting Strategy Report
Many of these value attribute gifts that have some type of social impact tie are found at small, local shops....so go there! Check out the boutiques in your town, and even when you are on vacation (like I did!). I found some awesome gifts that support great causes that can facilitate conversation between me and the recipient, and bring more meaning toward the exchange (While also giving a killer gift).
Let's bring it back to #1 one last time. Don't settle on a gift for this social impact/value reason alone. The gift should be good. This is considered to be sprinkles on top.
*If you are in Charleston, SC-check out CandleFish! Found a bunch of amazing gifts for friends and family.*
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