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It Really Is The Thought
That Counts
New gift item is
destined to become the world’s perfect present by redefining this
age-old adage.
From:
Allen Oelschlaeger
Milwaukee, WI
Monday, 9:33 AM
Dear Friend,
Yep, I’m absolutely serious. The world’s perfect gift!
I know, you’re probably skeptical – “the world’s perfect gift” is a pretty
big claim.
However, I absolutely guarantee that, if you keep reading, you’ll become a
believer like I have.
In addition, you’ll learn, in case you’re curious, what “It is the thought
that counts” has to do with the unique value of this new gift item.
Gift selection – a lost art
See, gift selection has become a lost art.
My grandfather’s generation knew this “art” quite well – but that was years
ago.
I remember needing a special present for my best friend’s tenth birthday party.
My grandfather strolled to town (who does that anymore?) and spent most of the
day shopping to make sure I had the “perfect – gift - a small, windup car
Sure enough – the gift was a huge hit. In fact, mine was the only present he
brought to school the next day to show off to all of our classmates.
I’m sure you have similar memories. Memories of gifts you gave or received that
met the near impossible goal of being both thoughtful AND wanted.
But who has the time and energy to accomplish that feat anymore?
Have we all thrown in the towel?
In today’s hectic environment, it seems like few of us are practicing
the fine art of gift giving.
Instead, the facts suggest that most of us have thrown up our hands in defeat –
and settled on giving the gift that requires the least amount of time and
energy to select: MONEY.
Just in GIFT CARDS, experts say we spent over $45 billion last year to purchase
over 700 million cards. That’s more than 2 cards for every man, woman and child
in the US!
In fact, one of the website domains we tried to register – www.perfectgift.com
– actually redirects you to www.giftcards.com (“the perfect gift … never worry
about buying the wrong gift again”).
[We’re actually glad it wasn’t available because our domain
(www.WorldsPerfectGift.com), as you’ll discover in a minute, is a much more
accurate description of our new gift item.]
Anyway, as big a number as $45 billion is, gift cards are just a small
percentage of all the money-gifts that are handed out each year. Checks
and cash are many times this number. And, of course, checks make such a personal
statement by the giver’s hand-written signature – and cash, in the form of
those crisp $20 bills that you get from an ATM, really add that personal touch.
Who are we fooling?
And, all that money doesn’t include presents where the “gift receipt” is
included, anticipating an exchange for what the recipient really wants. I would
describe this as a money-gift – but just not quite as impersonal.
So, why are these money-gifts so popular? Isn’t it obvious? Money is
definitely easy to give and, for most people, it clearly meets the “want”
requirement. How many of us can honestly say that we don’t want more money?
But is money a thoughtful gift?
Remember the near impossible goal of artful gift giving – having the gift
be both wanted AND thoughtful.
Sure, money is wanted – but is it thoughtful?
I guess you have to decide on the dollar amount. But that probably doesn’t
count as thoughtfulness.
No, I would bet that most people don’t view a money-gift as very
thoughtful.
But are most thoughtful gifts even worse?
Is it possible that this huge trend of giving money-gifts is just a
sign that most of us have given up on finding the “perfect present” – and
discovered that money doesn’t disappoint like so many “thoughtful” gifts often
do?
Who hasn’t received “thoughtful” presents that you must pretend you
like? The sender’s goal was to create the feeling that someone really cares
about you – but the actual gift ends up doing just the opposite.
It’s during these times that those five words – “It’s the thought that
counts” – are pressed into service (with the original meaning – not the new
meaning that you’ll learn in a few minutes).
Most of us were taught this phrase very early in life when we received our
first disappointing gift. How old were you when you first heard it?
Sure, you’re not ungrateful for these gifts – you appreciate the idea – but
they DO disappoint and usually end up NEVER getting used.
Here are some of the classics:
·
Old
Spice cologne --- I have a whole cupboard full
·
Stuffed
animals --- Where do you put all those things?
·
Dorky
clothes --- The sole reason for walk-in closets
·
Bubble
bath --- I mostly take showers
·
Anything
crocheted --- Afghans are my favorite.
·
Pen
sets --- How many can you really use?
·
Ties
--- How many are enough in a lifetime?
And then there are those gifts that DO get used – socks,
handkerchiefs, food. They are undeniably practical but they still disappoint.
Do the above gifts communicate that the sender WANTED to give the gift or that
they HAD to?
These presents might not be as bad as Homer Simpson buying Marge a bowling ball
with his name on it – but they come pretty darn close.
Gift giving has become a pressure cooker.
The reality is that gift giving has become a pressure cooker. There is an
extraordinary level of tension between:
·
What
people want
·
What
they would consider thoughtful
·
Your
time and energy.
This tension has taken the fun out of gift giving. There’s
no way you have the time to stroll to town and spend the day shopping for the
perfect gift.
So what happens?
The facts suggest that you often succumb to the most common option, giving money-gifts
– the least thoughtful but easiest to give presents.
Or, you go along with the other big trend: asking for a list and then giving
people exactly what they ask for (Amazon.com has turned this into a thriving
business with their “wish list” feature).
This probably meets the want requirement – but, again, is it thoughtful?
Maybe not – but these wish list gifts and money-gifts sure do remove some of
the enormous pressure of gift giving.
The world’s perfect gift
Well, what if there was a gift item that was
GUARANTEED to be both thoughtful AND wanted?
Better yet, what if it also delivered surprise and fun? I got so
carried away with the “wanted” and “thoughtful” criteria that I almost forgot
to mention the extraordinary value that comes from giving gifts with
these two attributes.
In fact, sometimes it’s possible to create such surprise and pleasure that
the recipient views the “experience” as the true gift rather than the actual
object.
Wouldn’t that be pretty darn special – a gift that is thoughtful and wanted AND
that delivers surprise and enjoyment. The world’s perfect
gift.
Well, that’s the nature of our new gift item. Given the “reality” summary
that I’ve presented above, you’re probably even more skeptical about the truth
of this statement than when you started reading.
But, I told you I would make you into a believer. So let me describe just
some of the characteristics of this new gift item.
·
Most
have heard about it but almost no one owns one.
·
Can
be linked to almost any aspect of a
person’s life (e.g., romantic memory, special date, important
person, school, historical incident, team, special accomplishment, meaningful
event).
·
Suitable
for all occasions including
birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, an engagement or wedding, graduation,
accomplishment (e.g., school, team), or any other celebration.
·
Perfect
as a corporate gift for
customers, suppliers, board members, and retiring employees, as an award for an important work
accomplishment (e.g., top sales person, inventor gets a patent
issued, employee of the month), or as a present for attendees at a special meeting or event.
·
Can
be configured to produce any of a
wide variety of reactions, such as pride, love, surprise, challenge,
celebration, mystery and laughter.
·
No
matter what the occasion, who the recipient is, or what reaction and linkage
being sought, the recipient will almost always experience more curiosity, fascination, and intrigue
than with any other gift.
·
Is
appropriate for any age, gender, nationality, occasion, and personality.
·
Giving
one is so captivating, exciting, and fun that the gift-giver almost
always experiences as much enjoyment as the recipient.
·
Is
a great gift by itself – but has even more value when partnered with another
gift or gifts. Can even transform a "money-gift" into something
thoughtful and memorable. In fact, if money-gifts are the order of the
day (e.g., at a wedding), the world’s perfect gift is guaranteed to be
the sole money-gift that’s remembered.
·
Can
turn a simple gift opening into an unforgettable day-long, week-long (or even
longer) treasured event.
·
Becomes
an irresistible conversation piece when displayed by the recipient
(which most will do – proudly).
·
Will
likely be part of celebrations in the recipient's life for years to come.
A gift that will likely achieve
heirloom status.
This world’s
perfect gift; has all of the characteristics above, but it is also a work
of art that delivers a sense of history.
In fact, people will generally think this gift item was invented in the 15th
century. However, in reality, it’s a brand new invention (in fact, we have two
pending patents that protect its design and its application).
In its most common version, it’s made out of wood and brass. But, other versions
are available made from different materials. The more expensive custom versions
($300 and up) are perfect for the person “who has everything.”
But, no matter what version is given, this gift item is likely to be passed
from generation to generation – due its unique gift characteristics and its work-of-art
nature. A true heirloom.
But, here is the real kicker.
All of the above may sound wonderful to you (I sure hope it does!).
However, I still haven’t told you the real key that makes this gift so
unique and so special.
I promised you at the beginning that I would explain what “It is the thought
that counts” has to do with the value of this new gift – and why, by
redefining this age-old adage, this item is destined to become the world’s
perfect gift.
First, let me assure you, the very last thing that giving this gift will do is
cause this phrase to be pressed into service – as a courtesy for an off-mark
present. In fact, I’ll guarantee that the recipient won’t, in the least
possible way, have to pretend that they like this gift. They will absolutely
love it – and will view it as wanted, thoughtful, surprising and fun.
Even if they were to receive two of this gift, they would still view each as
having all of these characteristics.
However, they may still proclaim “it is the thought that counts” – because they
will quickly realize that, to gain the full value of the gift, a bit of
THINKING is required.
They’ll immediately understand that It
Really Is The Thought That Counts – but for a completely different reason
that what you’d expect.
The “thought that counts” with this gift is what causes it to deliver its full
value – and is what makes it so absolutely perfect.
So, are you a believer?
You’re probably saying to yourself, “Sure, if such a gift item was available
that had all of these characteristics, it would
definitely be the world’s perfect gift. So I guess I am a believer.”
But I bet you also don’t think it’s possible for such a gift to exist. Well,
let me prove you wrong.
If you want to find out what this new gift item is I’m going to ask you to
click through to another web site. At this site, you can see pictures, read a
complete description, learn all its various gift applications – and, if you
decide you want one, make a purchase right online.
© 2006 Telaric Ideas, LLC
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