Buzz
Finding the perfect gift is such a satisfying experience, especially when it’s something your friend really desires but still comes as a surprise. If you’re looking for the ideal gift for a friend or coworker, the key lies in your conversations: check your messages, emails, and social media for the phrase “I want.”
Shep McAllister, Senior Director of Commerce at G/O Media (the publisher of Mytour), discovered this clever method while seeking a team gift for Senior Commerce Editor Chelsea Stone. He recalls, 'We were in a Slack group chat discussing gift ideas for Chelsea's graduation, and I remembered her mentioning a bag she liked a few days earlier. To find the exact link, I searched for her name and “I want.”'
It turned out Chelsea had used phrases like 'I want' and 'I need' repeatedly, and several of these mentions were about items the team could easily gift. They ultimately decided on the bag, which Chelsea adored. However, Shep shared, 'We had several other great gift ideas from the Slack search as well.'
If you're fortunate, you might come across some clear links to exactly what they want. More often, however, you'll find hints of broader categories or issues they're facing—issues that your thoughtful gift could help resolve.
Along the way, you'll inevitably uncover other desires and needs your friend has. You might even feel a bit like a stalker! But rest assured, you're simply looking at messages they've already shared with you or in a public space, all with a good purpose. This way, you can finally give them something they actually asked for, instead of resorting to gifting whiskey stones.
