What to Buy Them for Christmas - A Simplified Approach

L.A. Nelson

Got something you didn't want last Christmas? Or the Christmas before that? Well, you're not the only one.
They got stuff they didn't want either. "They" are your gift-recipients, the ones you gave a stale fruitcake or a can-opener or that tacky multi-colored Christmas-themed sweater to. The same fruitcake and sweater that
someone, most likely, gave you.

You hated it didn't you? So why pass it on? Probably because you just didn't know what to get them. In today's fast-paced world, we hardly have time - or
take time - to listen to what our family and friends really want.

Or we half-listen and think we're on to something. Your wife complains the microwave is on the fritz all year.
But do you think she wants to find a kitchen appliance under the tree? And really, does your husband need yet
another color-coordinated shirt and tie?

So what's a clueless gift-giver to do?

First, tune in. Listen to what your loved ones say they want, they wish for, they'd like to have someday.

Second, understand gender differences. Men and women don't generally desire the same types of gifts. Most women like jewelry, for example, but only some men wear jewelry, many do not. Not everyone is the same, of course, so make sure you know the taste and style of the person you're buying the gift for.

Third, don't confuse personal gifts with business gifts. A man shouldn't give a ring or "eau de sexy nights" cologne to his female colleague. She's bound to take it the wrong way.

Finally, if all else fails, just follow this simple gift-giving guide:

For her:
Women want to feel pretty, no matter how old we get. My 70+ year-old mother still slathers on scented lotion and dusting powder after a bath. Bath and body oils or a spa basket, which can include fragrant soaps, lotion and bath gels are always a good choice. Or buy her one of her favorite fragrances. Many come in gift sets, coupled with scented lotion or soap. And please, don't forget the jewelry!

For him:
Men like their toys, whether it's a powerful stereo system or a new Ferrari. Of course, if neither is in
your budget you can always get him a high-tech gift such as a handheld computer from Palm, Casio and other
companies. Is he a golfer or into fitness? A new golf shirt or gloves, even personalized golf balls make
great gifts or stocking-stuffers. Men like personal gifts too, but know your man. Would he prefer a new watch, to a gold chain or bottle of cologne?

For kids:
Children change so rapidly from year to year, that it's often hard to know what will hold their interest and keep them challenged. Make sure the gift is age
appropriate so he or she can play with it now. A pre-schooler will get much more use out of an activity center than an older child's toy like Merlin. Give
them different types of toys so they have a variety of activities to choose from. In other words, don't give them all dolls or all trucks. Add some educational games to the mix. And buy what the child likes. If he prefers a train set to racing cars, the train set will get used.

For mom and dad:
You can pretty much follow the For her/For him suggestions. But, depending on how old they are, you may have to age-up a little. An older woman would
probably prefer a more traditional fragrance like Chanel No. 5 or Halston to Harley Davidson's Destiny. A string of pearls or a pretty brooch are always nice. If dad's a golfer, a fisherman or enjoys some other activity, find an item he can use or something related
that's fun.

For friends and others:
If you're close to the person, gifts can be more personal: bath sets, clothing or accessories, a piece of jewelry. Give a business associate an organizer or a small travel case. Or you can give anyone a more generic present like a gourmet gift basket that may include candy, fruit, nuts or other food items. This kind of gift makes a lovely addition to any home.

And, it sure beats that stale fruitcake!

Copyright © 2001 L.A. Nelson

Save on holiday gifts - most items mentioned in this article can be found at The Art of Gifting
http://www.artofgifting.com

Find this article at:
http://www.artofgifting.com/giftgiving.html

L.A. Nelson is a cable television marketer, a freelance writer and a member of the Writer's Guild of America.
This article may be freely published on your website, in your newsletter, or in your eBook, as long it is used in its entirety and the copyright notice and resource information at the end are left intact.

Tips for Increasing Your Profits with Gift Certificates
Rena Klingenberg

Tips for Increasing Your Profits with Gift Certificates

by Rena Klingenberg
http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com

Offering gift certificates is an excellent way of increasing sales by solving your customers' gift-giving problems. Often people would like to give your products as gifts, but are hesitant to choose a specific item for someone.

I'm a jewelry artist, and when I realized I was losing sales to these potential customers, I started offering gift certificates - and discovered a wonderful sales tool.

Wherever you sell your products - at retail locations, shows, home parties - be sure to have an eye-catching sign advertising "Gift Certificates Available in Any Amount". And tell undecided customers about it verbally, too, emphasizing the benefits of a gift certificate, and how much their recipient will enjoy choosing the exact item they want.

How to Make Your Own Gift Certificates

Use your computer and printer to make special, fancy certificates using perforated paper or postcard stock you can find in office supply stores, and have matching fancy envelopes to go with them. They don't need to cost you very much, but they should really look like a special, festive gift to give them extra appeal!

Consider adding enticing photos of some of your most popular products. My gift certificates have a neat vertical border of jewelry photos on each side.

Here's the information your gift certificates should have on them:

-your business name and location, plus other contact info
-a "To:" line
-a "From:" line
-an "Amount:" line (for the dollar amount)
-"custom orders welcome", if applicable
-the expiration date, if you want to limit the time period the certificate can be used
-the certificate's unique number - on your computer or by hand, print a unique number (101, 102, 103, etc., or whatever numbering works for you) on each certificate's bottom corner, so each can be individually accounted for.

When you sell the certificate, you should write the dollar amount and expiration date (if any) on the certificate yourself, and then have the person purchasing the certificate fill out the To and From lines, so it will be in their own handwriting for the recipient to see. Then enter the certificate's information in your log.

How to Keep a Gift Certificate Log

It's important to keep a log of each gift certificate you sell. Keeping a record of each certificate sold will ensure that you don't wind up honoring a counterfeit certificate, or one with a changed dollar amount when someone comes to use it. My log has 6 columns, and for each certificate I sell, I record in my log:

-the certificate's unique number
-the purchaser's name
-the recipient's name
-the date sold
-the dollar amount of the certificate
-the date redeemed
-optional seventh column: expiration date.

I keep my log sheet and a stack of ready-to-sell certificates together in a two-pocket folder, along with a fancy pen for filling out the gift certificates in style when they're sold.

Use Gift Certificates to Their Fullest Profit Potential

Gift certificates can be a great source of back-end sales. When the recipient comes to redeem the gift certificate, it's easy to sell her an add-on item or two. Often she is already predisposed to splurge on something to go with the item she's getting for free with her gift certificate, and needs only a little encouragement from you to purchase extras. For example, in my case, the recipient will often purchase matching earrings to go with the bracelet she gets for free with her gift certificate. So be sure to show enticing things to the recipient that could accompany the item she chooses for her gift!

Use a gift certificate sale as an opportunity to add two new customers to your mailing list: the person who purchased the certificate, and the person who received it. Obtain permission from each to add them to your mailing list. Both of them are now pre-sold on your products, your service, and especially on your solutions to their gift-giving problems. There's a good chance they will respond favorably when they receive a special offer from you before gift-giving holidays.


Jewelry artist and publisher of http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com , a free online resource of articles and tips to help jewelry artists achieve their goals.