How to Choose Perfume as a Gift

We all like to give gifts that turn out to be very special to the recipient. When it comes to giving perfume for a gift, how can we be sure it won't end up collecting dust on a dresser?

It would be good to begin by noticing if your friend normally wears perfume. Some people are highly allergic to scents of any kind, a gift of perfume for these people is unlikely to be useful. Others may not use perfume all the time but may like a nice fragrance for special occasions. Those who regularly wear perfume will best be given a scent somewhat similar to what they already use.

There are also cultural norms to be aware of. Some cultures consider perfume gifts to be of the most intimate kind, whereas other cultures consider giving of perfumes, especially that of eau de cologne, appropriate for a wider range of acquaintances, even for business associates.

Age can also play a factor is fragrance preference. Some say that younger women appear to avoid florals and strong perfumes, but instead prefer lighter scents like vanilla, citrus, teas and nuts.

One common mistake a person can make is selecting a scent based on what some other person wears, and then giving that to their friend. Since every perfume reacts differently to each person's skin, this could backfire. Besides you want the recipient of your gift to know you were thinking of them, not someone else, when choosing that perfume.

The best start to choosing perfume for a gift is to take time beforehand to notice what your friend wears. You can even open up a conversation about that scent. What is it they like about it? What made them choose it? What is it called?

Remember that genuine perfume is expensive but also strong, therefore a small bottle will last a very long time. For those with a tighter budget, purchasing eau de toilette or eau de cologne are also great choices. These two are 8 to 15 percent essential perfume oil, and 4 percent essential oil, respectively, and will generally come in larger bottles and cost a bit less.

Because a gift of perfume can be expensive and intimate, it pays to invest time in finding out what type is more likely to please. Use the tips in this article to aid you in finding just the right perfume for a gift for a friend or acquaintance.