The Art of Unexpected Gifting

Easiest way to make her swoon? Gift when she’s not looking.

By Kunal
December 4, 2017 9:00 am


Gentlemen, allow us to lay to rest two prevailing myths regarding the purchase of a gift for your special lady:

 

  1. That it must be for a special occasion. To clarify, no: you’re not off the hook for special occasions. But thinking past those, coming out of gifting left field like a giant Publishers Clearing House check? That’s next-level stuff.
  2. That your special lady need only refer to your significant other: Is your mother not special? Your sister? Your daughter? You see where we’re going here.

And thus we created The Art of Unexpected Gifting — a handy primer on how to spot an excellent unforeseen gift-bombing opportunity, as well as the right gifts to pair with it.

 


RECIPIENT KEY

 

Daughter

 

Sister

 

Mother

 

Significant Other


 

 

THE
ACCOMPLISHMENT
GIFT

Congratulations are well and good, sir — her determination deserves vocal recognition, no doubt. However, said congratulations are best when paired with a thoughtful something that also says “I am thoroughly proud/in awe of the amount of ass that you just kicked.”


THE SITUATION:
She’s completed a marathon, triathlon or charity 5K

SHE LIKELY BEING …
    

IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
She’s already thankful that it’s over. A gift is pure gravy.

 

 

 

 
DIAMOND LAYERING PENDANTS
THE FOREVERMARK TRIBUTETM COLLECTION

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MASSAGE GIFT CARD
ZEEL

BUY NOW

 
CRADLE OUTDOOR DAY BED
FANCY

BUY NOW

 

 

 


THE SITUATION:
She’s just finished a big work or school project

SHE LIKELY BEING …
    

IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
While gratifying in their own right, it’s nice when personal endeavors are acknowledged by others.

 

 

 

 
HOME WINE DELIVERY
WINC

BUY NOW

 
FOUR BEDROOM OCEAN VILLA
MR. AND MRS. SMITH

BUY NOW

 
DIAMOND STACKABLE RINGS
THE FOREVERMARK TRIBUTETM COLLECTION

BUY NOW

 

 

 

THE SITUATION:
She’s just figured out how to use a piece of contemporary technology. Finally.

SHE LIKELY BEING …
  

IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE:
Your phone will finally stop ringing about it, and it’s an excellent opportunity to be sweet and
a smartass simultaneously.

 

 

 

 
DIAMOND DROP EARRINGS
THE FOREVERMARK TRIBUTETM COLLECTION

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RÄSYMATTO TEA POT
OIVA

BUY NOW

 
SOUNDBAR WIRELESS STREAMING SPEAKER
SONOS

BUY NOW

 

 

 

THE
MILESTONE
GIFT

Arriving at this moment is a testament to her courage/spirit/passion/insert-amazing-quality-here, so it’d be nice if she could be reminded of it down the line from time to time. You can help with that.

 

 

THE SITUATION:
It’s her child’s birthday

SHE LIKELY BEING …
      

IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
The kid gets all the gifts, but whose accomplishment is this really?

 

 

 

 
THE LOGAN PICTURE FRAME
FRAMEBRIDGE

BUY NOW

 
VERTUOPLUS
NESPRESSO

BUY NOW

 
DIAMOND STACKABLE RINGS
THE FOREVERMARK TRIBUTETM COLLECTION

BUY NOW

 

 

 


THE SITUATION:
She’s just landed a new job/promotion

SHE LIKELY BEING …
      

IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
It’s a big deal, you dunce.

 

 

 

 
DIAMOND DROP EARRINGS
THE FOREVERMARK TRIBUTETM COLLECTION

BUY NOW

 
ITALIAN FOOTWEAR GIFT CARD
M.GEMI

BUY NOW

 
CUSTOM STATIONERY
SUGAR PAPER

BUY NOW

 

 

 

THE SITUATION:
She got herself a fancy new home

SHE LIKELY BEING …
      

IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
Everyone always gets housewarming gifts for the home (yes, you should still do this), but rarely do people get one strictly for the inhabitant.

 

 

 

 
DIAMOND DROP EARRINGS
THE FOREVERMARK TRIBUTETM COLLECTION

BUY NOW

 
NAKED CASHMERE LOUNGE SET
CAMPBELL

BUY NOW

 
KINDLE PAPERWHITE
AMAZON

BUY NOW

 

 

 

THE
“JUST BECAUSE”
GIFT
 

This one’s about finding situations that are totally innocuous and then sneaking in to elevate them for her. Want to see that infectious smile of hers you like so much? Engage in some ninja-level gift sneakery and watch it pay massive emotional dividends, trust.

 

THE SITUATION:
She’s headed out for date night with you

SHE LIKELY BEING …
  (Good Lord, we hope.)

IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
Do we really need to tell you?

 

 

 

 
DIAMOND STACKABLE RINGS
THE FOREVERMARK TRIBUTETM COLLECTION

BUY NOW

 
THE NATALIA TEDDY
JOURNELLE

BUY NOW

 
THE JEAN CLUTCH (CUSTOMIZABLE)
EDIE PARKER

BUY NOW

 

 

 


THE SITUATION:
She’s hosting a dinner party. That you’re attending.

SHE LIKELY BEING …
  

IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
Everyone brings wine, which is not only boring, but also kinda self-serving.

 

 

 

 
WILD FIG AND CASSIS SCENTED CANDLE
JO MALONE

BUY NOW

 
THE SMART HERB GARDEN
CLICK AND GROW

BUY NOW

 
DIAMOND LAYERING PENDANTS
THE FOREVERMARK TRIBUTETM COLLECTION

BUY NOW

 

 

 


THE SITUATION:
She’s going somewhere with friends (to an event, on vacation, etc.).

SHE LIKELY BEING …
  

IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
It shows that you know how important her personal life is. And also she will never, ever see it coming.

 

 

 

 
DIAMOND DROP EARRINGS
THE FOREVERMARK TRIBUTETM COLLECTION

BUY NOW

 
CALF CIRCLE CROSSBODY PURSE
MANSUR GAVRIEL

BUY NOW

 
SALSA AIR MULTIWHEEL 
RIMOWA

BUY NOW