If you have not bought a gift for someone, cancelled it, and then gotten a "better" gift, maybe you haven't experienced the gift-giving anxiety at its peak.

Some people don't even have to try. They magically swoon friends and family with whatever is under the wrapping; they must be God's favourite. For many of us, though, the simple act of giving is a source of stress followed by more stress.

The spiralling thoughts only make it worse. Does my gift make me look insincere? Did I spend enough? Am I showing off? Is it too small? What if they don't like it, or worse, already have it? The list goes on.

A gift in its truest sense is a gesture of appreciation, love, and altruism. Gifts are supposed to be fun, even for those with a history of bad gifts. Being good at gifting could be a skill or a blessing, but there are few ways to indulge better in the joy of giving. But many people put various meanings to it from making the right impression to gaining someone's approval.

The anxiety itself comes from the fear of disappointing a beloved one. It is important to remember that we cannot control people's reactions to our gifts. In order to experience the joy of gift giving fully, think of it as a selfless act. This removes the focus from the outcome and brings it back to you.

While it is tough to juggle price tags, time, and apparent gift likeability, shopping for a gift does not necessarily have to turn out to be terrible. Expensive does not mean better. Always set a budget. That way you can prevent yourself from going overboard as a means to compensate for a hovering anxious thought. Instead of playing an endless guessing game with yourself, try asking the person what they want if possible. Lastly, avoid price matching. When you try to do so, the thoughtfulness tends to leave.

Presents are often a two-way thing and receiving them can be just as nerve wracking. When on the receiving end, givers are on high alert to sense any change of emotion in recipients. For some people, this leads to worrying if they have showed a reaction big or sincere enough to reciprocate.

However, emotions are a spectrum and different people choose to express themselves in ways unlike yours. During gift-exchange occasions, one might find themselves empty-handed as they were not anticipating. In this case, it is okay to respond that you were not expecting it.

Be it ingeniously practical or warmly personal, at the heart of a gift exchange lies the intention to connect two people on a deeper level. It is why gifts are one of the love languages. A hand-made card, a bowl of baked pasta, or simply spending more time together, are all gifts that don't come wrapped.

Hiya loves food that you hate by norm – broccoli, pineapple pizza and Bounty bars. Find her at hiyaislam.11@gmail.com