Today, we’re tackling a mystery that has puzzled even the most seasoned gift-givers: how to master the art of surprise in gift giving.
After spending over three decades in the gift industry, there’s one thing I’ve learned. It’s that a well-timed surprise can turn an ordinary gift into an extraordinary experience.
Let’s Start with the Basics
First things first. Let’s talk about the element that makes a gift a truly special surprise. It’s the gasp, the smile, the sheer delight that flashes across their face when they open that carefully chosen present.
There’s something magical about the unexpected. A surprise gift, whether it is for a birthday, a holiday, or just because has the power to lift spirits, strengthen relationships and create memories that can last a lifetime. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “How can you create such a surprise?”
Ah, that’s where my detective skills come in. Like any good detective, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.
It’s all about observation. We detectives are known for sitting back, watching, and learning when we are trying to solve a mystery. And this is no different.
The first rule of surprising someone is to know them well enough to understand what will truly delight them.
This doesn’t mean that you have to know every little detail of their life. After all, you may know family and friends pretty well but there’s no way that you are going to know personal details about a customer or client. But a few insights can go a long way.
Pay attention to the little things. What do they talk about? What do they complain about? Do they love food? Junk food or a bit more gourmet? A lover of cozy things? Perhaps they have a favorite pet? Or a hobby or interest that they enjoy.
These clues are like the breadcrumbs leading you to that perfect gift.
Remember, it’s not about the price tag. It’s about the thoughtfulness behind it. ShopCreativeGifts sells gifts in all price ranges.
There are lots of gifts that cost over $100 but one of the most popular ones is “You Are One Tough Cookie” with a price tag of only $34.95.
Imagine the expression on the face of someone who is struggling when they open the box and see this gift. Perhaps they’re down in the dumps, failed at something, or just don’t feel well. I’ve had numerous customers tell me how this put a smile on the face of the person they sent it too.
They didn’t have to know much about the person they sent it to. All they needed to know to create a delightful surprise is that someone needed cheering up. I’ve had customers choose this gift for many different reasons — from businesses sending it to a customer who was in the hospital with a broken leg to a mom sending it to her college kid who was facing a tough exam.
One of my favorite cases involved a dear friend who loved watching all the football games on TV. For his birthday last year, I sent him this football themed gift bucket.
The look on his face when he unwrapped that present was priceless. Mystery solved.
One of my business customers loves to play golf and so do many of his friends and clients. He uses every opportunity to surprise them with a golf themed gift basket.
Now, you may be thinking, “What about those impossible to buy for people?” Don’t worry. Even the cases of the most elusive recipients can be cracked. Sometimes the best gifts are the most unexpected and don’t come wrapped with a bow. A heartfelt handwritten letter, an experience that you can share together, or even a simple service can be more meaningful than any present that you could buy.
When my husband died last November, some of the most memorable gifts were simply letters and cards telling me how much he had meant to them and sharing tales of experiences they had gone through together. One of his high school friends from 67 years ago sent me a Valentine’s Day card the following February just to let me know that he and his family were still thinking of me. That simple card brought tears to my eyes, a smile to my lips, and created a memory that I will never forget.
How about that mom who has several small children and just had a new baby or lost someone special to her? You don’t have to know all the personal details of her life in order to surprise her with the offer of babysitting or having a surprise meal delivered from a local restaurant.
Timing is Everything
Surprises aren’t just about the gift itself — they’re also about the timing. Consider the element of surprise when deciding when as much as what to give.
An unexpected gift on a random Tuesday — just to say “I’m thinking of you” — can have a far greater impact than one given on a predictable occasion.
One of my favorite cases was solved when a customer came to me wanting to know what to give a family that was going through an unwanted move to a new location.
The parents didn’t want to move but the kids were fighting it even more. I could, of course, have suggested a food gift basket. Everyone loves to eat even when stressed.
But this customer and I solved the mystery by choosing an activity gift basket for the kids to keep them involved in fun instead of complaining all the time they were driving to their new home. It even included a teddy bear for the youngest kid to cuddle and love.
People of all ages love teddy bears.
Bear Hug Care Packages are always popular solutions to the question of what would be a good surprise present for someone.
I’ve been amazed at how many choose a Dressed Teddy Bear to send to another adult for all different occasions.
They’ve sent a biker bear to a friend who loves motorcycles, a bear dressed in a ski suit complete with skis to a college kid who likes to ski, a golfing bear with his bag of clubs to a favorite golfer, and on and on.
Presentation Matters
Don’t forget about the presentation. The way you wrap the gift could add an extra layer of excitement to the surprise. This can be a fun time to get creative with bright colors and quirky wrapping paper. Even if you are giving them a gift card, you can present it in a fun way.
It’s the first thing your recipient sees, after all. Think of the presentation as the wrapping paper to the mystery you are about to unfold. A beautifully wrapped or even an unusual wrapped gift with a touch of personalization — perhaps a handwritten note or a hint about what is inside — adds an extra layer of anticipation.
It makes the moment last and more memorable. Years from now, they may say: “Remember that time we did the scavenger hunt to find the golf clubs?” or whichever gift it was. You created fond memories of not only the gift, but the experience in which it was given.
A scavenger hunt to solve the mystery is always a fun way to present a gift. This website gives some interesting ideas for creating such a hunt as well as some other fun ways to surprise someone with a gift that is hard to wrap — such as a trip.
Embrace the Element of the Unexpected
To really master the art of surprise, you need to embrace the unexpected. This could mean choosing a gift that’s completely out of the ordinary or presenting it in a way that catches them off guard.
One case was solved by my daughter recently for her husband’s birthday. She created a week-long getaway to see friends in another state and stay in a cabin that reminded him of where he grew up. That was a case well closed as they created memories together that will last much longer than a dinner in a fancy restaurant or a material gift.
A surprise that speaks to the heart will be remembered for years to come.
Another tricky case was for someone who was stumped on what to give the aunt who had raised her and had just downsized to a smaller home. Instead of buying something, she went through old photos and letters and put together a scrapbook. It was a simple gift but the memories it brought back made it a cherished surprise.
Cases Closed
So there you have it, dear readers, a lesson in the art of surprise. Whether it is a grand gesture or a small thoughtful gift, the key to a successful surprise lies in the details: knowing the recipient as much as you can, timing when you give the gift, presenting it in a fun interesting way, and most important, remembering that the best gifts come from the heart.
So, put on your detective hat, start observing, and let your creativity run wild. The joy of giving is often in the mystery and the magic of the unexpected. And when you need a little extra inspiration, I’ll be here, ready to help you crack the case of the perfect present
Until next time, happy gifting!
Joyce, Your Personal Gift Detective