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The method

The Gift Preference Method

This page explains why guessing at gifts often goes wrong, and the order in which Presently uses what it knows about a person.

The problem

Why gifting goes wrong

Most people who give a disappointing gift cared about getting it right. What they were missing was information about the person, and the usual ways of getting it each have a drawback.

  • Asking the person directly can feel awkward, and it gives away that a gift is coming
  • A wish list is accurate on the day it is written and less accurate after that
  • Gift guides are written for a type of person, so they cannot account for what one person already owns or dislikes

So people end up guessing, and even a careful guess can miss.

The approach

How the method works

1

Start with what they have asked for

If the person has asked for something, by telling you, by adding it to their list in Presently or by answering a question you sent them, Presently puts it first. Research on gift-giving has found that people appreciate gifts they asked for more than givers tend to expect.

2

Use their taste to fill the gaps

Most people have not asked for anything specific. For them, Presently uses a taste profile built from the Gift Profile quiz, the optional quizzes and your notes. The quizzes ask about styles and the kinds of things they enjoy, so answering them does not tell the person what you will buy.

3

Leave out what would be wrong

Presently leaves out anything the person already owns, anything already given to them and anything they said they do not want. It also leaves out products that conflict with an allergy or dietary need from the Likes & essentials quiz, such as a nut allergy.

4

Learn from your choices

When you save a match, or dismiss one and say why, Presently takes that into account the next time it prepares the list. When you tell it you bought something, it will not suggest that item for the same person again.

Before & after

The difference in practice

Without Presently

  • Scramble for ideas the week before
  • Buy something generic to be safe
  • Hope they like it, never know if they do
  • Repeat next year

With Presently

  • A clear preference profile from day one
  • Confident matches before each occasion
  • Matches that improve as you save and pass on ideas
  • Every occasion calmer than the last

Start with one person you buy for

Add one person you buy for and write down what you already know about them. You can invite them to answer the quizzes when you are ready.

Request an invite