How to be a Gift Giving Magician
by Mr. Snapper
Of gift giving it is often said, “It’s the thought that
matters.” Usually it is said in a conciliatory tone after some token of
affection has fallen flat, but it is nevertheless a holiday truism. The
more thought you put into your gift giving, the greater the reward, but
even a little bit of consideration can up your game. Sit back while Mr.
Snapper tells you how to turn even the smallest trinket into a big
emotional payoff for your loved ones.
The secret is narrative. Politicians, priests, and other
assorted performance artists have long since known that hard facts and
figures are nothing compared to a good yarn. Our monkey brains are
fueled by storytelling. It runs through our veins. By giving a gift that
tells a story, you tap into a deep evolutionary well.
And what story should you tell with your gift? That all
depends on whom you are giving it to, and herein lies the application of
thought.
What do you know about this person?
What do you know about their past? Their childhood, their
college-age aspirations, etc. What do you know about their present?
Current interests, problems, etc. What do you know about their future?
What goals are they working towards, etc.
Make a list of what you know. Just making this list, you
should already have a couple of ideas sparking off. You can take a
couple of the items on your list -- say, something from their past and
something from their future -- and triangulate on a gift that will knock
their stockings off.
I’m going to give you an example from the lives of the
Snappers. Red grew up reading the Frances series of children’s books by
Russell Hoban. Red is also studying French. I happen to know that when
learning a new language, it can be helpful to find and read children’s
books written in that language. After all, the vocabulary is simple,
accompanied by pictures, and it’s how children actually learn to read
their first language.
And thus, I went on the hunt for a French language version of the Frances books and eventually found Bonne nuit, Adele!, the French version of Bedtime for Frances.
There is a certain utility to this gift. I like gifts that can be used.
The gift becomes a ready reminder of you, the gift-giver, and how much
you dote upon the receiver.
Just make sure to keep your process a big secret. When you
put this much thought and effort into gift giving you are literally
making magic happen. And a magician never reveals the trick.
