'Turns out there are 6 types of gift-givers. Yours speaks volumes.'

Thanks to our brand partner, World Vision

Christmas is my favourite time of year. It's not just the manic cheer in the air or the prospect of two glorious weeks off work. No, as someone who loudly and proudly identifies with "gift giving" as a love language, for me, it's all about the presents.

In my view, that makes me uniquely qualified to comment on the six most common types of gift givers — and tell you exactly what yours says about you.

1. The thoughtful giver

Thoughtful givers love giving gifts that actually mean something. While all gift-givers are equally wonderful in my eyes, I have to confess that I think thoughtful givers are the highest tier (and not just because I am one). They love aligning with causes and beliefs the recipients really care about, and takes the "pay it forward" kind of gesture to a whole other level (think gifting a lamb to provide a family with milk, wool for warm clothing, and a means for income from selling the fleece; clean drinking water; life-saving food or a bicycle for a girl). It's definitely a thoughtful giver who would even come up with such a wholesome and impactful idea like a Charity Gift from World Vision.

When you buy a World Vision Charity Gift, your support helps provide communities with essentials like healthcare, clean water and education (possible causes close to the heart of the gift receiver. 10/10 thoughtful vibes). It's most definitely a gift that has impact that lasts well beyond Christmas time. A big yes for less waste and excess, too.

Thoughtful givers love sparking hope in those around them, as well as making the world a better place for vulnerable children — and last time I checked, that's exactly the spirit of Christmas.

2. The practical giver

Some people believe that gift-giving is an art. For that kind of gift-giver, choosing a unique gift for someone you love is tantamount to saying to them: I see you. I know you. I cherish you. I have found you a present so special that you didn't even realise you wanted it until you set eyes on it, and from now on, you will only think of me when you see it, and the beautiful connection we share.

The practical giver is, erm, not that type of person.

You'll know you're a practical giver if you're texting your family and friends a week before Christmas to say, "Hey, I'm at Westfield, what do you want for Christmas?" Let's face it, you're probably giving them an exact budget range to avoid any confusion. Gift receipt? No thanks, pal, you don't need one — your mum sent you a link to this exact handbag, so there's no chance she'll need to return it. Christmas? Sorted. The practical gift giver? A straight-up no-nonsense type who does not mess around.

3. The customiser

Whether it's childhood trauma from losing one too many unlabelled hats in the school playground, or just a perpetual fear that someone will forget their name, the customiser's sole belief in life is that all of your possessions should definitely have your name on it. (In case you forget it?)

When it comes to gift-giving, customisers are impossible to miss — they're slowly working their way through a list of everything you carry around in your handbag (phone case, keyring, laptop sleeve, water bottle) and slapping your initials on them.

4. The experience giver

It is a universal truth that we all have too many things. The experience giver knows this, which is why they're so smug as they watch you open a patterned salad bowl which you absolutely don't have space for in your kitchen and will never use. The experience giver's gift fits inside a card (which you can actually throw away, because they've also emailed you the digital gift certificate).

Perhaps this year you're getting a facial, or a scuba diving lesson, or a cooking class. Whether the recipient enjoys the experience is honestly not as important as the fact that it doesn't clutter up their home.

You'll know you're an experience giver if you're tempted to make a comment like "I just don't think everyone needs more stuff," at the Christmas lunch table, causing everyone else to shift in their seats, embarrassed, at the amount of stuff they have bought for the occasion.

5. The surprise giver

"I cannot wait for you to see your Christmas present," goes the refrain of the surprise giver in the months of October, November and December. "I just can't wait to see your face. No hints!"

If you thought we left surprises behind when we were children, think again: the surprise giver wants nothing more than to see your surprise and delight when you open a totally unexpected present. And if you're not surprised and delighted? Well, better fake it, because they're watching you verrrrrry closely for a reaction.

The surprise giver lives life on the edge, and is happy to run the risk of giving a present that falls flat in pursuit of the thrill of pulling off a really great surprise.

6. The DIY giver

Much like the practical giver, the DIY giver will happily take requests for presents. They may even ask you to describe your perfect gift down to the very fine details. This will be momentarily exciting, until you realise they are going to attempt to make it for you at home.

The DIY giver absolutely loves to start projects. Unfortunately, this means they often spend the weeks leading up to Christmas in a state of abject panic, staying up until midnight each night to complete the macrame wall hanging they promised to their mother-in-law. DIY givers are full of optimism, which is a lovely quality — just don't expect your scarf to be knitted until, er, next Christmas.

Give something life-changing this Christmas with a World Vision Charity Gift.

Feature image: Unsplash.

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