The gift gap: why good intentions aren’t always well received.

1. Personal pref­er­ences and mis­un­der­stand­ings

Givers and receivers often see things dif­fer­ent­ly. What givers consider thoughtful doesn’t always match the pref­er­ences or needs of receivers. For example, a fancy bottle of wine for someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, or a Christmas gift when the receiver actually celebrates Eid al-Fitr.

2. Sen­ti­men­tal versus practical value

Givers sometimes avoid gifts with sen­ti­men­tal value for fear that the meaning will be lost on the recipient. But these gifts – a personal message or a symbolic gift – are often appre­ci­at­ed more than purely practical items.

3. Gifting in public versus private

Gifts given in private are often better received than gifts given in a public setting. In an office envi­ron­ment, a gift presented in front of an audience can create social pressure, making the recipient feel less free to appreciate the gift.

4. Material gifts versus gift expe­ri­ences

Research shows that people value gift expe­ri­ences (such as a day out or a workshop) more than material gifts. Yet, givers often choose something tangible because it tra­di­tion­al­ly feels like more of a present and – let’s be honest – is often more practical in a pro­fes­sion­al setting.

A poorly chosen gift can do more harm than good. Instead of showing your appre­ci­a­tion, it can leave the recipient feeling like they haven’t really been heard. This can lead to:

• Lack of appre­ci­a­tion: A gift that doesn’t meet the mark feels mean­ing­less.
• Awk­ward­ness or guilt: Overpriced or inap­pro­pri­ate gifts can actually make employees uncom­fort­able.
• Power imbalance: Luxurious gifts can create an unwanted sense of hierarchy or obligation.

Take a smart approach to gifting and turn appre­ci­a­tion into a positive experience that leaves your employees feeling really touched.

1. Involve the right person

Involving direct managers or team leads in the process leads to gifts that are more relevant to the recipient. They are closer to their team, know the likes and dislikes of employees better, and can add a personal message that is sincere and hits the nail on the head. This not only makes the gift more valuable, but also strength­ens the rela­tion­ship between manager and employee.

2. Put the recipient in the driving seat

One of the most effective ways to close the gift gap is to offer per­son­alised gifts. Give employees control over their gift: let them fill in a wish list, indicate pref­er­ences or simply choose themselves. This way, the gift will better match what they want and make a real impact, increasing the chance that it’ll be positively received.

3. Choose a thoughtful gift, avoid clichés

A restaurant voucher, wellness day or course? Gift expe­ri­ences last longer and are often perceived as more valuable than material items. They create memories that last.

Avoid generic gifts like a bottle of wine or box of chocolates. Although safe options, they don’t always match the pref­er­ences of the recipient. Dietary require­ments, cultural background or personal dislikes can prevent a generic gift from having the intended impact. Prefer something unique? Consider a per­son­alised gift or a flexible gift card.

4. Be discreet

Research shows that employees prefer to receive gifts privately. Having a gift delivered to their home or handed over discreetly makes the moment more personal and less charged.

Kadonation Select helps make gifting effortless and meaningful. Whether it’s a per­son­alised gift, a wide range of experience-themed options or a smart wish list tool – we’ll help you make the right choice. Fill the gift gap with real appre­ci­a­tion.

Want to show your appre­ci­a­tion? Make it simple, meaningful and personal. Ready to take gifting to the next level? Kadonation will help you get started!

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