Category Archives: Gift Guide

Gift Guides: Practical Gifts For The Pragmatist

Posted in Buying the perfect gift, Gift Guide, how to, personal style, tips and tricks, What to wear, women's clothing tips by

So far this month, I have covered Sentimental Gifts For The Tenderhearted and Bougie Gifts For The Diva. This week is all about those practical people in your life. They are not fussy; they like gifts that make sense; and they need to see the value in the gift. Here are my top 6 suggestions for buying for the pragmatist.

  1. FOCUS ON THE BASICS: When thinking of buying clothing for a practical person, I think focusing on basics that can be mixed and matched with other things is one of the smartest ways to shop for them. Whether you are buying a dressed up casual style that she can wear to go have breakfast with her friends or a business casual look that she can wear to work, get basics like blouses, slacks and sweaters. Consider the three images above. Each look is made up of classics that can be paired with other things. Black slacks, colored denim, blouses, cardigans and a denim jacket are all work horse pieces that will go a long way in any wardrobe.
  2. STICK WITH NEUTRALS: A pragmatic woman will never ask for a lime green purse. Instead, her accessories will be focused on some basic neutrals like tan, brown, black and grey that can be mixed and matched with many things. She will be the one who chooses an accessory for its ability to work with just about any outfit (solid gold or silver) rather than the pop of color accessory that works with only a few looks. Thus, when buying for a practical woman, choose neutral colors and basic styles.
  3. CHOOSE SOLIDS OVER PRINTS: Prints are more limiting because you have fewer items you can match them back to (the colors that are included in the print, for example). A pragmatist wants the most bang for her buck, so she will likely choose solids over prints. This goes for blouses, sweater cardigans, handbags, and accessories. When buying for a pragmatist, buy something that has universal appeal.
  4. KEEP IT SIMPLE: Practical women are generally not fussy. They are not the Diva who is comfortable having attention drawn to herself. They usually prefer to blend in rather than stand out. For that reason, choose simple designs. The classic button down blouse, for example, is an excellent choice. It is versatile, functional, and simple. The classic work cardigan is another great choice. It does not have zippers, ruffles, trim, embroidery, etc. It is a basic sweater that can be used over many things.
  5. MAKE IT EASY TO CARE FOR: In as much as the practical women appreciates simplicity in her clothing style, she appreciates it in her life as well. When buying clothing for this type of person, be sure it can be easily laundered at home and has the quality to last over a long time. This is not the hand wash and lay flat to dry girl. The pragmatist might lay flat to dry, but she doesn’t want to have to hand wash it TOO! Push the EASY button for this person! She will appreciate it.
  6. BUNDLE YOUR GIFT WITH USEFUL ACCESSORIES: To round out a clothing gift for the pragmatist, you might add a journal, a planner and a pen, a book mark, etc. In the same way you should choose clothing that is useful, choose other gifts with the same three words in mind: versatile, functional, and simple.

For more ideas on buying for the pragmatist on your list, you can watch my LIVE Wednesday Wardrobing Video tonight at 6 p.m. MST. I will be showing examples of clothing, handbags and gift items that would be appreciated by the practical people in your life.

Gift Guides: Sentimental Gifts For The Tenderhearted

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Ah the sentimental type. The dictionary definition of the word “sentimental” uses adjectives like tender, nostalgic, emotional and affectionate. If this is not you, having to buy a gift for someone who might be described as tenderhearted can be a BIG challenge. Not to worry! In this month’s Wednesday Wardrobing Series, I am going to give you lots of ideas for those tricky people on your holiday shopping list.

Tenderhearted people want gifts that touch their emotions and let them know you actually thought about them when you purchased the gift. Any Christmas present that says “I see you” will make this person’s holiday very special. And, if it is a gift she can wear and/or use every day, all the better. The tenderhearted person will think of you every time she sees that item and be reminded that you care.

Here are my top 5 gift giving rules for buying the prefect sentimental gift for the tenderhearted:

  1. Choose a gift that she can use or wear: Because a sentimental person is inherently nostalgic, you will want to pick a gift that she will use often. Examples of this include: jewelry, devotionals, candles, a sweater with a sentimental saying or icon, a fragrance, and something for her car. The more she sees it and uses it on an everyday basis, the more the gift will come to mean over time. Consider the picture of Kendra Scott necklaces on the bottom right at the top of this blog. Choosing hearts, crosses, her initial, or even a necklace that says “mama” are all examples of items she could wear that would remind her of your loving gift.
  2. Choose a gift based on something that is happening in her life right now: Sentimental people often wear their emotions near the surface, so if she is feeling discouraged, challenged, or stressed, giving her a gift that encourages her to keep pressing on will be very encouraging. Some examples include: inspirational signs, coffee mugs, books, etc. Making bundles is a great idea here. Consider the picture at the top left of the blog which includes a sign, candle and coffee mug all with encouraging messages. Giving these gifts with a nice package of coffee or tea (and of course taking the time to figure out her favorite brand is a must), a pretty dish to set her coffee mug on, and a little hand written note of encouragement will make the heart of a sentimental person sing.
  3. Choose a gift that solves a problem in her life right now: Similarly to option number two, you could go beyond just speaking to an issue and actually providing a solution. For example, if she is exhausted from life, buying her a cozy pair of pajamas, a wonderful smelling candle, some bath salts and a great lotion says, “I am giving you permission to relax and here is everything you need.” Or maybe she needs a night on the town so you gift a lovely new outfit, some perfume, a pretty necklace and a dinner gift certificate.
  4. Surprise her with a gift she did not ask for: Being a sentimental type myself, I can tell you that the gifts that mean the most are the ones I did not ask for but that show me the gift giver was really thinking of me. I may want a lovely lamp for my office and have that down on my list. Were I to get something that I didn’t ask for and that demonstrates the gift giver not only knows me but sees what I am going through and how I am feeling, it would mean more to me than that pretty lamp. I know it is hard to go out on a limb when buying a gift, but for the tenderhearted, this is just the type of gift that means the most.

For more ideas of gifts and gift bundles for this person, please watch my Wednesday Wardrobing Live Video tonight at 6 p.m. on my Facebook Business Page.