What does a gift say about you?

Something triggered a memory today of a man I once dated who bought me some PJ's as a gift. Not the sexy type, but more the comfy, lay on the couch type. If you are Australian, more akin to Peter Alexander than Victoria Secret. The gift was not one, but two pairs of PJ's. They are cute and I thought it was very sweet.

Then, less than a month later, he arrived at my place with another gift. I was incredibly excited because it was so unexpected. I opened the Calvin Klein box and found a beautifully wrapped PJ set from Calvin Klein. They were beautiful, but once again they were the girl-next-door, oversized, comfy PJ's that you lounge around your house in. Now, I was very appreciative that he thought of me and the gift was incredibly kind...but, what does this gift saying say about me.

Did he think I didn't own PJ's? Did he not like the PJ's that I wore? Did he think I didn't wash my PJ's enough? Did he have a fettish for comfy PJ's?

I am really thankful for the kind gesture but surely this says more about me than him or perhaps the sales assistants in both shops are very good at selling. How does a man decide upon what a thoughtful gift should be. Flowers used to be great, but after having a boyfriend for 6 months that sent me long stem roses practically daily, I am all flowered out! My one complaint on this issue put a stop to it and a halt to the relationship. Now, if someone sends me flowers, I can assure you, they are really appreciated. I won't be voicing that opinion too soon.

I remember a girl I once knew Natalie, bought some Country Road bowls on special for $8 and gave them as a gift to one of her friends at their wedding. What did that say about the person she was giving it to? And, what did it say about her? Tight arse? Sure, that is part of it but it is a lot more than that.

Part of our own personal brands reflect in every interaction we have whether it is in the workplace or in our personal lives. It says more than we think when we buy someone a book, or flowers or a toilet brush for that matter.

Next time you go to buy a gift for someone, think about your personal brand and how it will be communicated through the gift that you give and what the person receiving thinks that you think of them.