Does A Watch Make A Good Gift?
There are so many occasions when buying a gift is a great way to celebrate. If the occasion is something truly special and you want to give a gift that shows the person receiving it that you put some real thought into the gift, then you might want to step away from the gift card section at the local grocery store. I might be a bit biased here, but I actually believe that a watch can make a great gift that the gift receiver will truly appreciate and cherish. A watch has the potential to be a very personal gift and I will help you make it a more personal experience for both the gift giver and the gift receiver. So where should you begin? How should you begin?
Budget
Of course the budget is an important detail and should be the first consideration in your buying a watch as a gift. Establishing your budget will help you narrow down your search radius. Luckily, there are watches in almost all budget ranges. I have found it helpful to have a budget range with an amount set from a minimum to absolute maximum that you are willing to spend. You can find quality watches as low as $200 and pointing you in the right direction is my goal.
A Gift for Every Occasion
The next area I’d like to highlight is exploring the occasion that the gift is intended for. I believe that there are different tiers of occasions that call for different budgets. Once you’ve established a budget, then you can proceed in narrowing down your choice. Later in this article, I will break watches down into least expensive to most expensive to make it more user friendly, especially for the watch novice. For a birthday or Christmas present, you typically already have a preconceived budget. If you are like me, Christmas gift buying can be a real struggle. I have found myself buying a bunch of smaller gifts, not knowing if the person is going to use any of the gifts at all. I believe gifting a watch may be the perfect solution for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list.
If you’re buying this watch for a “big occasion” then your budget should reflect that. Remember the commercial for an engagement ring that mentioned so many months’ salary? The same thought process should go into buying a watch when you’re buying it as a wedding gift, anniversary gift, or a milestone birthday gift. Giving a watch as a gift should definitely be a reflection of the occasion for which it’s given.
WHO? Make it Personal
Who is the person you are buying the watch for? Is the person someone who’s going to wear the watch to the office? Is the person an avid outdoorsman? Is the person an active swimmer/exerciser? Assessing the person and what their wearing style will be is an important consideration. Not only will this make for a more personal experience but the gift receiver will see that you gave this some well thought out planning.
For the person who is the office type, a dress-style watch is a good route to go. A watch that will work well with a button down shirt is a good starting point. A dress watch should slide under the shirt cuff with ease, so staying with a smaller profile watch would be a safe place to start looking. Typically, a dress-style watch features a polished, stainless steel case and either comes on a stainless steel bracelet or a handmade leather strap. Dress-style watches shouldn’t be thicker than 12mm and in the 38mm-42mm range, so it can easily fit under most shirt cuffs with most wrist sizes.
If the person you’re buying the watch for has more of a jeans and t-shirt style, then move away from the conservative dress watch to a more rugged style. This style of watch can also carry over into the outdoor loving group as well. If the person is going to be spending time in the water, then you want to consider a watch that has a higher rating of water resistance. This style of watch can be found in various case materials and finishes such as brushed stainless steel, titanium, or bronze. As I mentioned before, assessing the person ahead of time can really help you decide which watch will be best, especially when it comes to the materials and other finer details.
I do believe that a watch makes for an excellent gift. Not only is it making a fashion statement as an extension of the wearer’s personality, but it also serves a practical function. Even in this day and age of cellphones and other electronic devices, many people still appreciate wearing a watch on a daily basis. A watch is truly a gift that keeps on giving. Your loved one will remember you every time he or she put on the watch, and they will also remember the special occasion for which it was purchased. A person is less likely to remember a gift card after it’s used, but a watch is something that can last a lifetime, especially if it is properly cared for and maintained. A watch doesn’t have to break the bank to last, but you also want to buy it from a reputable company. There are plenty of online reviews, as well, that can help you in your gift buying search for a watch. Experience the joy of giving the perfect gift!
