Gift Giving Guy

‘Tis better to give with receipt.

Every time we give a gift, we dabble in mind reading. We sum up hints, memories, observations, passions, dislikes, needs and wants, then choose what we think is a great gift for someone else. We may read that person perfectly and give a gift that brings surprise and joy. We may read the person too accurately and discover the giftee already owns the present. Or perhaps we miss a little — the wrong size, the wrong color, the wrong version. And sometimes we miss a lot… Oh, it’s a mounted bass fish that sings. Uh, thanks.

Everyday mind reading — or what psychologists call empathic accuracy — is tough. That’s where the gift receipt comes in. A gift receipt documents proof of purchase without listing prices and helps with gift returns. For the 2007 holiday season, one-third of gift recipients returned at least one gift, according to the National Retail Federation. The same survey found nearly 60 percent of gift givers include a receipt with their holiday presents. Adding that receipt signals that you are comfortable with the giftee returning your present.

If you are ordering your gifts online, make sure the web site’s return policy is easy for your giftee. For example, Amazon.com allows the recipient to return a gift without letting the gift giver know about the return. During the holidays, you can return items purchased between November 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 by January 31, 2009 for a refund (see exceptions).

So after your present mind-meld picks those gifts, remember to ask for a gift receipt at checkout.