Sweetest Party

Let’s face it. Re-gifting is something that we all do from time to time. Whether it is due to running low on funds or an unwanted gift from a well-intentioned person, the process of giving a received gift to someone else is not uncommon. However, as any experienced re-gifter knows, there is nothing worse than re-gifting an item to the person from whom you originally received it. This embarrassment can be avoided with a bit of planning and organization, and a Visual Mind Map can help with this planning. With Visual Mind Maps, re-gifters can organize a chart showing from whom a gift was received and to whom the re-gifter plans to give the gift in one, spatially formatted, and intuitive diagram. In addition, re-gifters can add colors and images to their map to make the chart easier to conceptualize and work with. Thus, those wanting to “recycle” gifts can do so easily and without fear of the gifts getting into the wrong hands.

What are Visual Mind Maps and How Are They Created?

A Visual Mind Map is “a means of organizing information that allows individuals to create diagrams, pictures, and other graphic visuals in order to show the relationship between ideas or other types of information”. With a Visual Mind Map, the creator makes use of colors and symbols to construct the map and represent his or her ideas in a non-linear format. When creating a Visual Mind Map, the individual would normally begin by showing the key topic or main idea of the information as a graphic image, located in the center of the map. Any themes surrounding the main idea are shown on “branches” that are attached to the central image. Subsequent themes of less importance are then attached to these branches using “child branches”, and so on. The resulting diagram is a “map” of the ideas and information presented that includes the images, visual graphics, and colors the individual associates with each of the themes and ideas.

Organizing a Re-Gifting Chart Using a Visual Mind Map

Connie enjoys re-gifting presents to those she feels will get better use out of gifts she has received from others. Her yearly practice of recycling gifts, however, ran into an embarrassing snag last year when she accidentally gave a friend the same present the friend had given her the year before. Hoping to avoid the same gaffe this year, Connie decides to create a chart organizing her re-gifting plans using a Visual Mind Map. She commences her map by placing a representative visual in the map’s center. She then lists the names of everyone to whom she intends to re-gift presents on “branches” that she attaches to the central image. On “child branches”, she next lists the gifts she received from each person next to their name. She then attaches “twigs” to each “child branch”, on which she lists the gift she intents to give the person. She also adds any images or graphics she wants to the map to make it more conceptual. When Connie has finished organizing her re-gifting chart, it resembles the chart in the attached Visual Mind Map.

Re-Gifting Presents Using the Visual Mind Map

Now that Connie has completed her chart, she finds she has an easy way to ensure that she does not recycle gifts to the wrong person. As she decides to whom to give each gift, she simply makes sure not to choose a gift that is listed next to the person’s name as a previous gift. She no longer has to worry about trying to remember who gave what last year as she assigns each gift; each gift, along with the giver, is clearly listed on her Visual Mind Map. The result is, thus, a smooth and enjoyable Christmas, one where no one recognizes that the gift they are receiving is a gift that Connie herself had received the year before.

One of the best ways to show someone how much you care about them is by giving them a gift. Whether you are giving this to mark a special occasion or simply to let them know you care, presents are something that people should spend a lot of time picking out.

A main reason why you should take your time with these presents is that is really says a lot about your relationship with the receiver. Rather than just buying the first thing you see, it is always is better to think about the person who is receiving the present and think about what they will like.

One of the most common misconceptions regarding presents is that you have to spend a lot of money to make them be a good one. This simply is not the case. Although sometimes the best gift for a person just happens to be expensive, there are plenty of gifts that are inexpensive that the recipient really will appreciate and love.

If you are looking to make your gift really count, the first thing you should do is consider the occasion. If this is for a romantic occasion, then you should think about going for meaningful gifts that say something about your relationship – anniversary presents can sometimes be tricky.

On the other hand, if this gift is for a birthday or other special occasion, you could consider thinking about what type of hobbies the person has. If they like something such as reading, then think about buying them a book that would really appeal.

This method can work really well even if you are giving a gift to someone you don’t know very well. You just need to think about their character and go from there. Because your gifts or gift sets will show that you put at least a little bit of effort into it.

When it comes to the holidays, most people find it difficult to find the right gifts for everyone. Mostly people get to the point where they run out of time and buy last minute presents.

Even if you have to buy last minute presents, it is still possible to make them important for the receiver. All you need do is use the same tactics previously. Think about what they like to do for fun and buy a quick gift off of that. As long as you put some thought into it, it will show.

Kirkland McCauley purchased an elephant for his wifes birthday. It was not a present she liked or understood, and it made a mess on her carpets. In fact it was the elephant in the room, and this horror that separated them for the remaining three days of their marriage.

Kirkland bought his present on the Internet. These days it is very easy to be imaginative. Simply look through Google for ‘presents’ and the choice is, virtually unlimited. It ranges from adopting a wild animal to flying lessons, buying a plot of land on another planet to buying a glass cased piece of Wembley turf.

But being imaginative is not enough, as Mrs McCauley was quick to tell her husband of the moment. The miracle of having a mobile phone that meant he could access the Internet, and thereby arrange such transactions as buying an elephant while down the pub with his friends, did not compensate for the inconvenience. And anyway he always knew she never liked grey.

So choosing suitable christmas or birthday presents is an art form requiring a mixture of diplomacy, creativity, sensitivity, and inspiration.

The world wide web is a great help opening up lots of opportunities. But this is not the complete answer.

‘Unusual’ is not enough. Being impractical is not enough, although it can help. After all, who likes a practical present – a washing machine, new iron or paint brush?

‘Frivolous’ often helps, as does ‘extravagance’ – or at least the appearance of either or both.

Buying a gift because you have always wanted one yourself is certainly not the way to go. What wife wants the almost complete set of Charlton Athletic football programmes, 1967 to 1983 – missing only the April 1971 Accrington Stanley game?

Choosing something ‘worthy’ or that sends a message is worse. Time at boot camp rarely does the job.

‘So ‘appropriate’, possibly in a witty way, is the most important gift adjective – but appropriate to the receiver not the giver. But the worst that can happen is that the gift ‘says more’ about the giver’s interests than those of the receiver. The best that can happen is that the giver receives in return increased appreciation of his or her thoughtfulness and sensitivity.

Meanwhile Kirkland went back to his job at the zoo a wiser man, and Mrs McCauley was remarried to a big game hunter who always brought her gift sets - and jewellery, and chocolates and only the occasional subscription to Rifles and Telescopic Sights magazine.