What gift giving personality are you? The 7 Types of Holiday Gifts

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! With so many families and friends coming together to celebrate, you are bound to mingle with different personalities. Exchanging gifts puts a whole new fun spin on getting to know someone. If you want to know someone a little better, pay attention to the kinds of gifts they give. After thinking long and hard and surveying my family and friends, I’ve come up with 7 gifting personalities. Enjoy!

1. The Practical Gifter – You know exactly what your recipient needs and you aren’t afraid to give it to them. In fact, you may not give anyone ANYTHING useful for months, just to save all of your practical goodness for the actual gift exchange. Usefulness trumps trendiness in almost every case.  Not only are you a practical giver, but you are a practical receiver too. No one’s ever heard you complain about getting a seat warmer or new steam vacuum because you adore practicality. You are reliable, sensible and down to earth; which is what people love most about you.
2. The Clueless Gifter– Is it already December? Crap! How late is Target even open? Let’s face it: you’re not sure what’s going on and the holidays sneak up on you every single year. Do people still like Bath and Body Works? What is on trend? Who knows!  What you may not realize, is that you really are the perfect White Elephant participant. Laid back enough to let the entire thing slip your mind, but possessing the sense of humor to go along with the fun when all you can find is a whoopie cushion on the clearance rack. You don’t stress much during the Holidays. It will all work itself out, and it’s all just stuff anyway, right?
3. The Golden Gifter – Ok so you may go a little bananas this time of year, but gift giving is so exhilarating that it’s impossible not to. Hypothetically you could control yourself, but what’s the fun in that when your Amazon wishlist (which you’ve been adding to all year) is 634 items long.  This is one of few times of the year you can get away with spoiling your recipients, so go big or go home. You may often hear things like, “you’re so thoughtful!” or, “how did you remember I liked this?”  The truth is, you think hard about your loved ones throughout the year and truly enjoy selecting special gifts just for them. You try the whole budget thing, but it always gives way to the amount of joy on your gift receivers face. People feel your love and thoughtfulness in everything you do for them. Why should the holidays be any different?
4. The Bargain Gifter– The thrill is in the bargain for these gifters, so double check the expiration dates of those cookie tins! The bargain gifter usually has a random closet full of gifts they have been given, or have gotten for a steal only to save it for any appropriate occasion. When a local store goes out of business in July, they are there stocking up for any occasion that may require a gift. Regifters also fall into this category. You don’t like something? Put it in your cute little gift closet and save it for someone else. Be careful when regifting, especially with social media nowadays. A regifter friend of mine told me she puts a post-it note to remind her of who NOT to give something to – or which circle of friends the gift should avoid. Bargain gifters are very generous and resourceful, making them the perfect person to take shopping with you.
5. The Trendy Gifter–  You’ve known about the seasons hottest toys and gadgets for months and have been watching multiple sources ready to pounce.  People come to you for advice and you are ready to give them the rundown. You could probably host a segment on The Rhode Show if they asked for your expertise. Your cool factor is always well received, regardless of how quickly those trends may fizzle out.
6. The Direct Sales Gifter – You’re not sure if anyone wants the extra inventory you have on-hand,  but you sure as heck are gifting it anyway! Cute little mesh baggies complete with a personalized note and hand-written instructions make your gifts truly stand out. Don’t forget that business card so they know who to follow up with when they end up absolutely adoring what you gave them. You are driven and friendly, always looking to make lasting connections.
7. The Consistent Gifter – You have found your formula and you stick to it. You know exactly what to get, how much to spend, and how many gifts to purchase so you can dutifully check it off your list. Once you’re done, you’re done. Impulse purchases rarely tempt you to digress from your system. If you have a spreadsheet or price comparison app any kind, you are probably a consistent gifter. Along with consistency,  you also like to offer balance. A bit of practicality added to a little luxury makes for a happy gifter and gift receiver.

Whatever your gifting style is, embrace it!  Sure you might be known as the crazy aunt who gives whoopie cushions as gifts, but it’s all a part of doing life together. Which holiday personality are you? Let me know in the comments!