Gift lists
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All present and correct: How to make the most of your event gift list.
Graduations, anniversaries, family events and weddings. Whatever the event, the likelihood is there’s a gift list to accompany it. But how do you choose the best way to manage a list – and do you really need one?
The biggest advantage with setting up a gift list is that it enables you to request exactly what you want from your guests, without risking receiving duplications. Eight towel bales are not going to be helpful if you are getting hitched and you and your partner have been living together for years. Lots of guests feel comfortable with their hosts having a gift list, as it takes the pressure off them having to choose a present which may not be suitable.
Similarly, a gift list prevents you from being offered gifts which you would really rather had been left on the shelf. No-body wants to have to worry about bringing out ornaments or pictures which were given to you on your big day, when the person who gave it to you pops over for a coffee.
Many people feel that writing up a gift list is a little mercenary, and that making requests for gifts is rather like holding an elf up for ransom and demanding that Santa follows your Christmas wish list to the letter. Regardless of whether you have been good or bad this year, here’s the lowdown on gift lists and how to get the most out of them...
High-street retailers
There has been a recent boom in high-street retailers offering comprehensive gift list services to customers. Shops such as John Lewis and Debenhams provide a service which can be done in person, or on line. The process works by the customer logging on, being allocated a space online, and populating this space with items they would like to receive for their big day. You can sit down with a glass of wine and go through the entire online catalogue of goodies that the retailer has to offer, and select them by clicking on them and adding to the list. You have the option to modify the list as time goes on, enabling you to change your mind at any point.
This option has a number of benefits. It enables you to offer a broad selection of gifts for your guests to choose from, in all price ranges. The guest can purchase your gift online and it will be delivered after the event, with an inventory of who bought what. Guests do not have to wrap anything up, and you can choose when to have your items delivered, and to where.
Possibly the main disadvantage of this system is the transparency of it all. As you log in to your gift list every day, you get to see who has purchased from it, how much they spent, and the message that goes with it. This takes away the joy of surprise on your big day. In addition, you will normally have to wait until a few weeks after the big event to have your items delivered, as the gift list does not usually close until the event is well and truly over.
Online companies
If the thought of having a list with a specific shop does not appeal, you can always opt for a bespoke list service with an online company. These services are available to anyone who needs a list setting up, and for a small fee they will house your list for you and organise it in the run up to your event. This enables you to select items from any shop online, and add them to your list. Similarly to high street retailers, the bespoke services enable you to change your mind and modify the list as you go on, and they will offer your guests a secure area online where they can access your list, and purchase from it.
This is a great alternative to single-retailer lists, as it enables you to broaden your selection, but the guarantees of service are not as strong as they would be when shopping with one of the big-name brands.
Donating money to charities
Organisations such as the Dogs Trust, Oxfam and the NSPCC will all support you in requesting donations from your guests in order to amass a sizeable donation for the charity. The benefits of this system are obvious – you get to feel comfortable with the fact of requesting money, without the associated discomfort of requesting expensive items or being perceived as demanding. The best part of this system is that the charity of your choice gets to do some great work, because of a choice that you have made. Your guests can be given charity pins when they donate, letting them know that their contribution has been valued, and giving them a keepsake after the big day.
At a loss? Opt for vouchers
If all else fails, you can always ask your guests to purchase vouchers to help you save up for something special. Travel chains, high street shops, online companies such as Amazon and other retail outlets will all support you in setting up a gift list. This way, you know you will be getting exactly what you want, when you want it. A great way of making the most of your guest’s contributions is by asking for vouchers to put towards your honeymoon. Select your preferred travel agent, and let your guests send you on your way with a bang!
Observing good gift list etiquette
There are some rules of etiquette to follow when setting up your gift list. Obvious ones include making sure that guests have plenty of time to purchase your items, and including a wide array of items of all prices, to save unnecessary discomfort from friends and family. In addition, don’t forget to thank people individually for their gifts after the big event. It’s also a great idea to write and thank the organisers of your list, if you feel they have done a great job.
Graduations, anniversaries, family events and weddings. Whatever the event, the likelihood is there’s a gift list to accompany it. But how do you choose the best way to manage a list – and do you really need one?
The biggest advantage with setting up a gift list is that it enables you to request exactly what you want from your guests, without risking receiving duplications. Eight towel bales are not going to be helpful if you are getting hitched and you and your partner have been living together for years. Lots of guests feel comfortable with their hosts having a gift list, as it takes the pressure off them having to choose a present which may not be suitable.
Similarly, a gift list prevents you from being offered gifts which you would really rather had been left on the shelf. No-body wants to have to worry about bringing out ornaments or pictures which were given to you on your big day, when the person who gave it to you pops over for a coffee.
Many people feel that writing up a gift list is a little mercenary, and that making requests for gifts is rather like holding an elf up for ransom and demanding that Santa follows your Christmas wish list to the letter. Regardless of whether you have been good or bad this year, here’s the lowdown on gift lists and how to get the most out of them...
High-street retailers
There has been a recent boom in high-street retailers offering comprehensive gift list services to customers. Shops such as John Lewis and Debenhams provide a service which can be done in person, or on line. The process works by the customer logging on, being allocated a space online, and populating this space with items they would like to receive for their big day. You can sit down with a glass of wine and go through the entire online catalogue of goodies that the retailer has to offer, and select them by clicking on them and adding to the list. You have the option to modify the list as time goes on, enabling you to change your mind at any point.
This option has a number of benefits. It enables you to offer a broad selection of gifts for your guests to choose from, in all price ranges. The guest can purchase your gift online and it will be delivered after the event, with an inventory of who bought what. Guests do not have to wrap anything up, and you can choose when to have your items delivered, and to where.
Possibly the main disadvantage of this system is the transparency of it all. As you log in to your gift list every day, you get to see who has purchased from it, how much they spent, and the message that goes with it. This takes away the joy of surprise on your big day. In addition, you will normally have to wait until a few weeks after the big event to have your items delivered, as the gift list does not usually close until the event is well and truly over.
Online companies
If the thought of having a list with a specific shop does not appeal, you can always opt for a bespoke list service with an online company. These services are available to anyone who needs a list setting up, and for a small fee they will house your list for you and organise it in the run up to your event. This enables you to select items from any shop online, and add them to your list. Similarly to high street retailers, the bespoke services enable you to change your mind and modify the list as you go on, and they will offer your guests a secure area online where they can access your list, and purchase from it.
This is a great alternative to single-retailer lists, as it enables you to broaden your selection, but the guarantees of service are not as strong as they would be when shopping with one of the big-name brands.
Donating money to charities
Organisations such as the Dogs Trust, Oxfam and the NSPCC will all support you in requesting donations from your guests in order to amass a sizeable donation for the charity. The benefits of this system are obvious – you get to feel comfortable with the fact of requesting money, without the associated discomfort of requesting expensive items or being perceived as demanding. The best part of this system is that the charity of your choice gets to do some great work, because of a choice that you have made. Your guests can be given charity pins when they donate, letting them know that their contribution has been valued, and giving them a keepsake after the big day.
At a loss? Opt for vouchers
If all else fails, you can always ask your guests to purchase vouchers to help you save up for something special. Travel chains, high street shops, online companies such as Amazon and other retail outlets will all support you in setting up a gift list. This way, you know you will be getting exactly what you want, when you want it. A great way of making the most of your guest’s contributions is by asking for vouchers to put towards your honeymoon. Select your preferred travel agent, and let your guests send you on your way with a bang!
Observing good gift list etiquette
There are some rules of etiquette to follow when setting up your gift list. Obvious ones include making sure that guests have plenty of time to purchase your items, and including a wide array of items of all prices, to save unnecessary discomfort from friends and family. In addition, don’t forget to thank people individually for their gifts after the big event. It’s also a great idea to write and thank the organisers of your list, if you feel they have done a great job.
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