We all have that one friend who will always have that special spot in our heart. They’re our best supporter and at the same time, our honest critic. They are someone who laughs and cries with us, and stays by our side through thick and thin.

You perhaps couldn’t imagine life without your friend. Just their presence is already a gift you will treasure for years. So why not show a little appreciation by giving your friend a present? It really doesn’t call for a special occasion, especially if you’re giving it to someone who means a lot to you.

Buying a present for a friend

Sure, you can always give a gift card and skip all the hassle of finding the right gift. But nothing is more special than taking the time and effort to look for the perfect gift. And don’t worry about this part, we’ve got some really good tips for you.

Let’s begin!

Plan ahead.

Buying a present can be time-consuming and stressful, especially if you are clueless of what gift to buy or overwhelmed with the tons of gift ideas out there. So, it is always a good idea to plan ahead.

Make it more like him or her. It is easy to ask your friend what he or she likes. But you simply destroy the element of surprise, which makes gift giving much more special. This can be time-consuming, but doing this ensures that you are picking something that your friend would really appreciate. Think about their hobbies and interests.

Make it special. You don’t always give your friend a gift. So when you do, make sure it is something special. Choose a gift that connects to this person. And if you followed the first two tips, this part is going to be easy.

Consider the cost. Create a budget that is appropriate for the occasion. It is for a wedding, a birthday, a baby shower, or just because? When you have a budget in place, you can streamline the gift shopping process.

Investigate. Ask their family of friends if they have mentioned something they really want in the past. Peek into their previous Facebook and Twitter statuses, or Instagram photos. You may feel like a stalker, but it is one good way of finding out what your friend really wants.

Be creative. Wandering around a local mall is most probably not going to inspire you with any unique gift ideas. If you are looking for something unique and creative, the best thing to do is sit, turn on your computer and browse the web. You will find tons of gifts online, from decadent hampers to really bizarre items.

Find something sweet. If you are unsure about what present to give your friend, you can never go wrong with delicious handcrafted chocolate treats. When it comes to chocolate gifts, the choices are endless – from luxury brownies to sumptuous truffles, cupcakes, cookies and cakes, you will find it all. You can find chocolate gifts online that are beautifully packed and customised for any occasion.

Choose something handcrafted. Nothing is really more special than a gift that has been made by hand. When you choose handcrafted gifts, you know you are getting something that is of high quality, beautiful, and really unique.

Make it memorable. Don’t just give the gift. Think of some unique and creative ways to do it. Perhaps, you want to have your chocolate gift delivered to your friend’s door step. Or, you can leave it in their desk. Maybe you can come up with a mystery game wherein you give out clues for your friend to find your present.

Make it a bit more about yourself. Make a letter or short message to be included in your gift. Or if you want it to be a little different, go ahead and record your message instead and put in a CD. Include a throwback picture that highlights one of the best times in your friendship. Giving a gift should also include giving a bit of yourself.

So there you go – our ten tips for finding the perfect gift. Hope they help you unlock more ideas for your next online gift or shopping centre adventure!