Where Masters of the Gift-Giving Ritual Shop

Only a few short years ago I would often look over at my cousin and just marvel at just how much of a pro she is at sourcing what always seems to be the perfect gift for anyone and everyone she holds near and dear to her heart, including yours truly of course. And it’s not just a couple of people – she seems to know when everyone’s birthday is and conspires to get them something that never fails in melting the heart.

One day, she surprised one of our cousins, a massive cat lover, with a customized portrait of his cat, Izzy, and he absolutely loved it. She looked at me and said, “your source for cat lover gifts is right around the corner; you just have to put in some thought and effort.” I thought that was incredible advice, so naturally, I asked her to mentor me formally. Otherwise, it seemed as though she had access to a secret stash of cash hidden somewhere because buying just one gift for one person can prove to be quite expensive, let alone sourcing gifts for all the special people in your life.

so I had to formally make the request of her to mentor me. It otherwise appeared as if she was digging into a secret stash of cash hidden somewhere, because buying just one gift for one person can prove to be really expensive in itself, let alone sourcing gifts for all the special people in your life.

So here’s what I learned about where this mistress of the gift-giving ritual shops…

Everywhere

This is a trait that pretty much all women have in fact, much to the irritation of our male counterparts, that being how we’re pretty much always in shopping mode. You don’t necessarily have to buy anything at that particular point in time, but everywhere you go where something is being sold offers a window into the average pricing of things. Make a mental note of these different price ranges, and whether you are shopping for wedding, birthday, Christmas, or bridal shower gifts, you’ll soon become a pro at finding affordable gifts.

Okay, but to get a bit more specific about exactly where “everywhere” is, here are some of the sources for the best gifts:

Duty-free mall

Never miss a chance to buy a gift from the duty-free shopping malls you pass through on any international trip you take, even if the item is to be stored and gifted later. That’s the cheapest place you’ll find great gifts.

Regular malls and shopping centres

You would perhaps be best served buying gifts well in advance if you’re going to be sourcing them from regular shopping malls and centres. Look for sales as opposed to seeking to buy during the traditional gifting seasons like around Christmas time. Everything is made expensive for the retailers to take advantage of the season during those times.

Online

Sourcing gifts, including personalized gift options like candles and pretty much anything else that can make for a thoughtful gift, online is perhaps the most affordable route to go. The convenience of specialized gift suppliers like Kindred Fires or Broadway Basketeers tends to be a saving grace for many gifters who are perhaps pressed for time in their commitments to sourcing great gifts. When it comes to selecting unique gifts for special occasions like birthdays or thoughtful presents for patients, online retailers offer a vast array of options that cater to every taste and preference.

Even if you have plenty of time to explore the options, online shopping remains an excellent choice. Whether you’re looking for Gifts for Cancer Patients or for any other type of recipients, online retailers can provide a wide range of meaningful and supportive presents that can lift their spirits and show you care. While there may be a delivery charge involved, the ease of finding thoughtful and unique gifts tailored to the recipient’s needs and interests makes online shopping a reliable and attractive option for any occasion.

Flea markets

As far as creativity goes, there’s perhaps no better place to source gifts than at a flea market, simply because you can physically see them in action and you’ll probably be given a brief on exactly how to package those gifts and deliver them to their recipient.