We have been locked up in our homes ever since the time this pandemic has hit our country. People are advised to practice social distancing as a healthcare measure, yet the number of active cases is rising by each day. Hence, we believe that post lockdown gifting will go a long way in cementing relationships and releasing the built-up stress that is there amongst the people.
This lockdown has disrupted people’s routine and social lives. It has driven most people into isolation and others to risk their own lives for our safety. The rule of Social Distancing has particularly turned out harmful for our mental and emotional health. People have gone for over three months without seeing their friends, families, and loved ones.
During such trying times, we try to look for a silver lining. We have been engaging in different activities in utilizing our time. It can be anything from daily video calls with friends/families to reconnecting with old friends to cooking a dessert for yourself. We have been doing these to remain connected with our friends, families, and our social circle.
However, it is seen that nothing expresses our love and gives out joy like a personalized gift! Read ahead to see how this post lockdown gifting can help us all.
The Psychology of Gift giving
Gift-giving has been a favorite subject for psychologists to study. Psychology says that gifting is a complex and important part of human interaction, and it helps in defining their relationships and strengthens their bonds.
According to psychologists, it is the giver that reaps maximum benefits of gifting, rather than the receiver.
Apart from the personal human interaction that we have with gift-giving and receiving, it also holds many social values. For thousands of years, the act of gift-giving is seen as a way of gaining prestige.
The most positive effect we have by gift-giving is on ourselves. It is seen that when we gift something to a person we like, we involuntarily reinforce the emotions of caring and love towards that person.
Thus, psychology has proven that gift-giving is an activity that is beneficial for both people.
Why is gift-giving important?
To be remembered…
During the lockdown, many companies have gone under some loss. There have been massive layoffs in many private sectors. It can be difficult to say goodbye to your colleagues.
In such cases, maybe you want to thank some of them for their work and friendship that you shared during their time. Whatever can be the reason, but everyone loves a gift when they start a new journey in their life. You can wish them the best for their experiences ahead, just by giving them a simple and thoughtful farewell gift.
To say “thanks”…
There are many friends, family, and loved ones who may have helped you while you were upset during this lockdown. And you might feel the need to give back to the people who helped you or provided you a favour.
Gift-giving can be an act that can express how thankful you are to have that person by your side. You can say thank you with the simplest gifts and tell them how much they mean to you.
The receiver will truly feel your gratitude, and this can be a chance to spread some emotions of happiness and well-being.
As an expression of love…
It is said that giving a gift is an act of self-gratification. It is a way of strengthening the relationships that you have.
In this lockdown, many people around you feel lonely or disconnected from the world. You do not have to wait for a special occasion to give gifts, you can gift anything to anyone and show how much you care about them.
To appreciate someone special…
Everyone knows that action speaks louder than words. And there is no better way to say you appreciate someone than gifting them something that they will cherish.
During this lockdown, we all have been living together with our families. Some people studying in different cities or countries came back home, and together we have spent the most time. You can somewhere say that family had helped us through these trying times. Gift a token of appreciation to your father, mother, sister, brother, or anyone who has done something nice.
Some of us have been working for almost 8-9 hours for six days a week from home. Corporate businesses and small business owners can also give gifts of appreciation to their employees for their hard work or their exceptional contribution to the company. This can be a way of motivating your employees or colleagues.
Such simple tokens of appreciation can do wonders and spread goodwill among the people that you love and care about.
Giving to keep in touch…
This lockdown has made us all follow the rules of social distancing. But this should not be an excuse to ruin your relationships with your friends and family. A small gift can express that you want to stay in touch, that this person is crucial for you, and you want to keep that person in your life.
To apologize…
We have all made silly mistakes in this lockdown, maybe because it is a difficult time for most of us. When there are times when words are not enough, it is best to express them with a gift. It may show how sorry you are.
What can you gift during the pandemic?
Here are some gifting ideas that you can use while you are quarantined:
Custom Photo Books
A personalized photo book that is designed to suit any story is a great memory keepsake. The person you gift this to can cherish their memories with you for long years ahead. You can reminisce about the fun times that you have shared with them. This could be a perfect farewell gift for an office colleague or for your roommate who might be leaving to go back to his town.
Home Baked Goods
If you have the chance to deliver the gift by yourself, you can put together a care package and deliver directly to their doorstep. If you kept yourself busy, baking cookies, bread, and cupcakes, during this lockdown, makes your friends and family a care package filled with homemade treats.
Home Décor Gifts
If you wish to surprise your friend who would really like a change in their environment, you can gift them some DIY home decor items. This activity will not only utilize their time but also distract them from worrying about things too much.
A small potted plant can be a sweet and simple gift for anyone, because who wouldn’t like some greenery in their room?
Personalized Gifts
If you want to express your love and care on a unique and personal note, you can choose the option of personalized gifts. You can either DIY or buy personalized gifts available online in abundance.
There is a wide assortment of gift items that you can personalize with the comfort of sitting in your home. If these many options confuse you, there is an option of free personalized gifting consultation available online as well. This tool provides customized solutions for every individual depending on your relationship with the recipient, the purpose of the gift, and guides you on choosing the perfects gifts.
Some sustainable post lockdown gifting ideas:
Celebration IOU
You can send a gift card for the favorite clothing brand or restaurants of the receiver. The benefit of sending gift cards is that it supports that brand’s financial stability, and the receiver can utilize this to do something that they will genuinely enjoy. Although it does not give immediate gratification, it is something for them to look forward to.
Digital connection
For those who want to gift their loved ones, something they can utilize right away can gift some digital subscriptions. You can gift subscriptions to OTT platforms, gift them e-books, audiobooks, and enroll them in some online programs.
Or you can plan a game night for them, or even movie nights with the help of “Netflix parties.” The digital platform has availed us with a lot of options and a lot of creativity.
You can even share a free digital friendship card with your friends.
Conclusion:
Recent research shows that we can get more happiness through experimental gifts over physical gifts. We can utilize this amazingly during social distancing. Plan and surprise them in your style, with something that they will value.
Alternative gifting can be more sustainable for the environment around us. These sustainable gifts require fewer raw materials, meaning that this option will result in less chronic destruction.
People will have a renewed significance in the relationships they already have with their friends and family after the lockdown is lifted. People will realize the importance of maintaining healthy relationships and walk that extra yard in ensuring that they work towards their relationships with their friends, families, colleagues, neighbors, and their social circle.
That is why we think that the value of gifting will change after the lockdown gets lifted completely.
References:
- https://ecowarriorprincess.net/2020/04/sustainable-gift-giving-in-time-of-coronavirus/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/11/health/11well.html#:~:text=They%20have%20found%20that%20giving,psychological%20gains%20from%20a%20gift.
- https://lifecherish.com/2014/11/20/gift-giving/
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