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View our Cookie PolicyWhy do some people love experience gifts while others prefer something practical? We explore the science behind personality-driven gifting and how understanding traits leads to better choices.
Have you ever given someone a gift you were certain they'd love, only to be met with a polite smile and a swift change of subject? The odds are it wasn't a bad gift — it simply didn't match how that person experiences the world.
The truth is, gift preferences aren't random. They're deeply connected to personality — the way someone thinks, feels, and engages with the things around them. We dive deeper into this in our article on the psychology of gift-giving.
Research in behavioural psychology has long established that people gravitate towards objects and experiences that reinforce their sense of identity. A person who values creativity will light up over a beautifully designed sketchbook. Someone who thrives on social connection might prefer a shared experience, like a cookery class for two.
The problem with most gifting advice is that it treats everyone the same. “Top 50 gifts for men” assumes that all men want the same things — which, of course, they don't.
At aclue, we think about personality across six broad dimensions that influence what kinds of gifts resonate:
Most people have a blend of these traits, with one or two being dominant. Understanding which traits are strongest in someone you care about is the single most effective way to choose a gift they'll genuinely value. If you're unsure whether to go with a physical item or a shared outing, our guide on experience gifts vs material gifts can help you decide.
You don't need a formal personality test to start noticing patterns. Pay attention to:
These clues reveal far more than any “gifts for her” listicle ever could.
The gifting industry has historically relied on demographic categories — age, gender, relationship type — to organise recommendations. But a 35-year-old woman who spends her weekends rock climbing has very different preferences from one who collects vintage ceramics, even though they'd appear in the same “gifts for her” list.
Personality-driven gifting flips this model. Instead of asking “what do people like her usually want?”, it asks “what does shespecifically value?”
That shift — from demographics to genuine understanding — is what transforms a forgettable gift into one that feels like it was chosen with real care. And it's exactly the principle that aclue was built around.
Gift-giving is deeply wired into how we build and maintain relationships. Understanding the psychology behind it can transform how you approach every occasion.
AdviceIs a weekend away better than a beautifully wrapped present? We break down when to choose experiences over physical items - and how to decide for the person you're buying for.