Top tips for perfect presents

FINDING Christmas gifts for all your family and friends is hard enough, but searching for the perfect gift for your partner can present added pressure.

Not only do you want to find something that they will love, you also want to find a gift which shows that you care and that you have thought really hard about what they might like.

What does the gift you choose to give to your partner at Christmas say about you and your relationship?

Dr Gian Gonzaga, relationship scientist for eHarmony.co.uk said: “Gift-giving in relationships relies on two elements—The act of gift-giving in a relationship can be about showing-off and establishing yourself as someone who can provide.

“Think about the male bird who brings worms to the female bird to prove they are a worthy mate. “Whatever you give as a gift is an indication of the qualities and staples that you can provide your loved one with.

“However, the gift you actually give your partner can also mean so much more, when you pick the right gift it can show your partner how in tune you are with them and your relationship and signal that you understand what they like and want.

“Understanding is one of the major pillars of creating intimacy in a relationship and an indicator of how good a partner you are across the long haul, therefore the gift you give should reflect how well you understand your partner and your relationship.”

So, how can you make sure that the present you give your loved one this Christmas says the right things about you and your relationship?

Here are eHarmony.co.uk’s tips on how to be a good gift-giver:

Plan—Don’t leave your Christmas shopping until the last minute.

With some careful planning in plenty of time before Christmas day, you’re more likely to be able find the perfect present, instead of grabbing the only thing you can find in the shop on Christmas Eve.  Your last minute gift will look exactly that and will show a lack of thought.

Start paying attention—If you are tuned into your partner, you are more likely to give very good gifts.

Listen to your partner when they express an interest in something and try and remember it when you come to your gift buying.

It’s important to communicate to your partner in your gift, the message of “I listened and understood you, even if you didn’t know that I was doing that.”

Your partner will be very impressed to receive a gift that they spoke to you about in the past.

Be selfless—The good gift giver will understand that it is not about themselves, but rather about their partner.

Don’t buy your partner a present that you secretly hope to enjoy yourself.

The gift you buy should specifically be for your partner and tailored to their interests, likes and wishes.

Make the extra effort—Going that extra mile to find the perfect gift will make a difference.

Whether it’s a handmade gift that’s taken you months to prepare or a limited edition book that was difficult to track down, your partner will appreciate the extra effort that you’ve made.

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