Giving a Default Gift
Even if you’ve read my book and you’re using a gift drawer, the time may come when you’re faced with an event or occasion, particularly a personal event like a birthday. You have no gift – and you’re stumped. This is where having a solid list of “default gifts” comes into play.
Default gifts fall somewhere on the spectrum between the last-minute, impulse gift card and a meaningful, well-thought out gift. It’s a hybrid – a go to item that is still specific for that person.
The idea is this: have a short list of items – favorite wine or spirit, favorite restaurant and favorite perfume – that you can always turn to in a pinch. Then, find out what those items would be for your recipient and purchase a personalized default.
Let’s say your recipient is a woman, and her favorite spirit is Ketel One Citron, her favorite restaurant is Macaroni Grill and her favorite perfume is Estee Lauder’s Beautiful. Voila! You have an instant gift list. Whichever gift is closest at hand, go for it!
Other possible default settings for your gift list could include favorite sports team, favorite color, favorite author, favorite band, or favorite food.
Make one or two of these categories your “default gift list” and save yourself time and stress the next time you need a personal gift. It’s quick, easy, and it still fits the recipient.
Read More






Deanne Marie is transforming the lives of women overwhelmed by the pressures of modern life with simple and elegant solutions for streamlining their home, enjoying meaningful relationships with family and friends, and creating the stress-free life of their dreams.