Coach Andrew Harrington

After the box office hit/New York Time’s Best Seller that was my Valentine’s Day column, I have taken the wheel to drive you, yes you, to a successful future. I will be writing a monthly column using topics or questions asked to me by the readers with the intention of bestowing the wisdom of a 22-year-old upon you.

Today’s topic for discussion is gift giving. Whether it be for the holidays, a birthday, an anniversary or any other reason, some people are naturally talented gift givers and others are not. Unfortunately for me, this was an art I’ve had to acquire.

First, and most importantly, is to actually overthink it. Presents are one of the rare areas in life where overthinking can be beneficial. You need to channel that overthinking in order to use it for good, thinking about if they already have the gift and whether or not they will like it.

If you heard all that and already gave up, I have good news for you. When the universe was created along with great gift givers and the rest of us, there was one secret step to the process created that can give you a leg up and close the gap: the funny gift.

People often confuse a funny gift with a gag gift; however, the two could not be more different. While a gag gift is likely to get a good chuckle upon opening, it usually will end up in the trash or at a garage sale by the next time you owe that person a gift. A funny gift shares the comedic value of the gag gift, yet it finds a way to compete with the functional gifts.

Perhaps for a friend you could make a funny custom poster or calendar with the two of you on it. Have a good cook in the family? Maybe try getting them the Shaquille O’Neal recipe book.

The point is, we’re never going to be able to compete with the person that gifted them their first air fryer or a nice outfit they wear once a week. It’s time to find our own lane.

There has never been a truer saying than “It is the thought that counts.” Simply giving a gift that you put little love or thought into does not cut it.

My second piece of advice would be to select a present that is not just for them, but also a piece of you. If you have a tight bond with someone, give them something that relates to a part of your bond. If you can do this, every time they see the gift for the rest of their life, it will flood their mind with the memories you share. No purely functional present will ever hold the power of a lifetime of memories.

If you or someone you love has a topic or question in your life that you need advice on, reach out to the Coach at andrew@piercecountyjournal.news.