Gift Giving In Color

Around this time of year, GIFTS are on everyone’s mind. Deciding on a gift for someone can be both fun and stressful. Reflecting on what you know about your own True Colors spectrum can help you when choosing gifts for others. Though family and friends may not be able to tell you their personal spectrum, your experiences with them can help you make an educated guess about their dominate color. Gifting "in color" is a great strategy for ensuring smiles all around.

Below are tips for gift giving "in color" regardless of the occasion. I hope you will find this useful and refer to it throughout the year!

Orange

This easy-going type would appreciate receiving something fun. When buying gifts for an Orange, start with a humorous card, then consider one of the following gift ideas to let them know you appreciate their personality:

Do

• Flash-fun-immediate, one-of-a-kind gifts
• "Cool" things you would not buy for yourself
• Surprises, tickets to weekend getaway, concert, sports event or show
• Gifts they can open and use now
• Trendy fashions, sports equipment
• Restaurant gift certificate

Don't

• Flannel or ordinary PJ’s "If I am not cute, I am not comfortable!"
• White underwear
• Things that have to be put together
• Framed pictures with "sayings"
• Tennis bracelet you saw on a commercial
• Small kitchen appliance (unless absolutely sure they want it)

Gold

This highly responsible type would appreciate receiving something practical. When buying gifts for a Gold, start with a sentimental card, then consider one of the following ideas to let them know you appreciate their personality:

Do

• Practical, traditional, useful
• Sensible gifts that endure time
• Established name brand
• Likes nice jewelry, clothes, cookbooks
• Hobby supplies, games for family, "how to" books
• Stationary, tools to stay organized, household appliance

Don't

• Flamboyant, pricey, and useless
• Cheap wine or champagne
• Leopard print towels
• Trendy, flashy clothes
• Surprise getaway- leaving the next day
• New anything when the old one is in perfectly good condition.

Blue

This people-oriented type would appreciate receiving something personal. When buying gifts for a Blue, start with a sentimental or romantic card, then consider one of the following ideas to let them know you appreciate their personality:

Do

• Sentimental, symbolic, spiritual, picture frame
• Thoughtful, reflect "seeing who I am"
• Homemade gifts, journals, ornaments
• Gifts of someone’s time, friendship, love
• Poems, unique art, music, flowers, books
• Coupons for babysitting or dinner together

Don't

• Chocolate when trying to lose weight
• Art not to my taste, feel obligated to hang it
• Mass produced plastic items
• Gift certificates to store seem impersonal unless choice indicates you know them
• Quizmaster, electronic trivia game
• Charitable donation in my name (wants to pick their own)

Green

Give this big thinking type something mentally stimulating. When buying gifts for a Green, start with a clever or witty card, then consider one of the following gift ideas to let them know you appreciate their personality:

Do

• Technology, learning, humor
• Earth friendly, simple elegance, live plants
• Gift certificates
• Puzzles, trivia games, chess
• Authentic artwork
• Subscription to a periodical (New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Magazine)

Don't

• Dangle earrings, stinky perfume
• Environmentally hazardous useless junk
• Ask for a list
• Buy a whole set of cheap (would rather have you spend the same amount on one good one)
• Useless, decorative knick knacks
• Sweaters (matching, seasonal ornamental)

Adapted from

Miscisin, M. (2005). Showing Our True Colors: A fun easy guide for understanding and appreciating yourself and others (3rd ed.). Santa Ana, CA: True Colors Publishing, and http://www.truecolorsworkshops.com/true-colors-christmas-gift-ideas/

Submitted by -
Victoria R. Lopez-Herrera
Associate Director
Campus Recreation

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