Make a Note.

To be honest, I don't always manage to personalise my gifts as fancily as I would like. Time is a constraint for all of us, right? So I have a little ritual that I follow every time I give gifts: I write notes. Sometimes small, sometimes letter-ish, but they do make my gifts rather special. What adds this touch is the matter that goes in the note: it's well thought out, it's well written, but mostly, it's genuine, always heartfelt, and that is what makes my gifts very cherished. Sometimes the note lasts beyond the gift, but even when it doesn't, the note makes sure that the gift is remembered for a while.

So what do these notes contain? The usual stuff, generally written spontaneously in a moment of fondness. However, I do have some markers that help me write it.

• I write about why I bought the person the gift: I explain why the perfume smell reminded me of her, and why the wallet seemed perfect for him, or why I thought she would enjoy this absurd looking game. It makes a statement that says that I did not buy your gift in bulk, I did not just pick it up, but I put thought in it.
• I pay a genuine compliment, something to the effect of why that person is special/important to me, and what I  admire in that person. I give this enough thought and often find something new and interesting to say. It doesn’t have to be profound, just sincere. And I tweak this and make it a part of the reason why I gifted that gift. "The freshness of the perfume reminded me of the cheer you bring to my life everyday", kind of thing, though not always this cheesy.
• I try poetry. It's not always amazing publishable poetry, but it adds a little cute factor, and reflects the effort I put into the gift. And even bad poetry always brings in a smile, which is the desired outcome anyway?
• I use good stationery, because I like collecting great looking stationery. If I don’t have it, I try decorating it. Sometimes though, just small post-its suffice, given that it's hand written. Always hand written.

It is not as systematic as this makes it seem. But it is this thoughtful, and that's what makes my gift stand apart. Also, it allows me to give gifts throughout the year and thus reduces the pressure to gift on birthdays. More on that later.

Till then, happy note-making :)

Cheers!