Holiday time can be a tough time for the analytical people in your life. The whole idea of gift giving may be foreign to them causing them inordinate amounts of grief. They may spend hours in a store analyzing items to buy for different people. The thought that they may buy the wrong gift haunts them at every turn.
Imagine then what happens when you give them a gift that is wrapped with just a from-to gift tag on it. The analysis starts as soon as the gift arrives. “What’s inside?,” they think to themselves. They shake the item, weigh it in their hand, and size it up in their mind. The cogs start turning…
- It’s too big to be a DVD…
- It’s too small to be an X-Box
- Hmmm… it might be socks like last year…
Pre-formed opinions start to form. If they happen to have a negative attitude, you are the bad guy after just a few minutes. They may conclude, inaccurately, that you are the scum of the earth and have bought them a loud necktie just like Uncle Harold would wear. They may get so irritated with this analysis that they never even open your gift.
To head off the grief that wrapped packages inherently cause, you need specially designed gift tags. Gift tags that state in no uncertain terms what is inside the package. You need gift tags for the analytical mind.
We have designed ten different tags that should cover most gifts that you will give out this year. We have them available in classic black or festive holiday colors. The tags are available in a simple download for Microsoft Word. Just download the file, open it up and print them out on Avery Business Card stock. Viola… you have the solution to your problem.
Since analytical people like straight forward, black and white answers, we have made the cards as simple as possible. The following is a description of each card and its intended use.
Box: This is the classic teaser. It lets them know that the contents are in a box, reducing the chances of receiving pajamas or the dreaded six-pack of socks. But it doesn’t completely give away your secret. Use this card only for mild analysts. Full bore analytical types may be driven nuts by this.
Gift: This card shows your intention. Many analyticals may not have any idea why you would want to give them something. This takes away any mis-communication and gets to the point. Even the most retentive individuals will get the idea. This card can be used in conjunction with other cards for greater clarification.
Fun: This card shows the intended use of the gift. This simple card may allay the fears of many younger analysts that think you are giving them something that is good for them. Once they know that the intended use will be fun, they will think more highly of you.
YOB: Stands for Your Own Bottle. This can be used on a bottle of any type. This card is especially useful for parties of all types. It lets the intended recipient know that the bottle is indeed for them. They don’t have to share it with others and they can drink it all down if they want.
Money: This one is becoming more popular all the time. Many people simply do not know what to get other people so they give them money. This may come in the form of a check or cash, usually inserted into an envelope. This simple card can reduce stress to the recipient since people may spend money in anticipation of a gift. This card is an assurance of a future payoff.
Video Game: This card is very self explanatory and lets the recipient know that a future adventure waits. This card may not work well with women, older clients, and people without game consoles. Putting the initials of the game console on the card may further enhance its calming effect.
Generic: Since many strong analytics may not know what a “White Elephant” is, this card may be used as a substitute. Adding the initials M or F may help intended recipients choose between different generic gifts to better match their intended use. For example, adding an F to a package with a cabbage patch doll would ease tension of male participants as they would know not to choose this gift.
Six Pack: This card is especially for programmers. Put this card on a six pack of Mountain Dew and they will know that all six cans are for them. No sharing! Smiles will erupt. This card can also be used for beer or soda with a similar but more subdued effect.
Gift Card: In 2006, gift cards abound. Everyone is issuing them. From Best Buy, to Target, and even Amazon.com, this is the gift of convenience. This card lets the intended beneficiary know that there is something besides a card in the brightly colored envelope.
Calories: This is the best of the bunch. Use this with candy, cookies, and your favorite Christmas fudge. This lets receivers know that there is a gift in the package and that it is edible. This card can be enhanced by putting the words “Not Fruitcake” on the bottom of the card.
Instructions for use:
- Download the Gift Tags Template for MS Word
- The Zip file includes B&W and color templates
- Open the desired template and modify as necessary
- Print out on Avery business card stock (10 Card)
- Break cards apart
- Fill in the From and To on the card.
- Attach to the gift package with tape.
- Deliver the gift and watch for a smile.
For Ultra Analytical People we also offer a special template with the table outline showing. This may allow for better word alignment and reduce stress.
If in your analysis you find these cards helpful you may be interested in some of our other helpful downloads including the…
Five Minute Organizer
Five Minute Flowchart
Five Minute Outliner
Five Minute Motivators
Instant Garage Sale
If you give a gift with one of these tags and the analytical person still doesn’t get it, send them over to Lifehacker.com or Lifehack.org. Maybe they can straighten them out.
If you are analytical and you still can’t decide what to get Uncle Harold, you can always get him an Amazon gift card and he can buy his own loud and obnoxious ties this year. Enjoy!