Ilaria Apolloni, Italy's first gift planner for extraordinary gifts and experiences, is coming to Milano Home with a series of workshops and safaris dedicated to stores interested in finding new ideas and original objects to offer their customers. The consultant assists clients in selecting and designing gifts that truly speak to the recipient, creating bespoke experiences. "Gifts for friends and relatives often focus on the emotional and affective sphere. For a partner, we try to communicate intimacy and uniqueness, while corporate gifts aim to strengthen a professional bond."

How many times have you been at a loss for what to give a partner, a friend, or a relative? Faced with such a vast array of options, instead of expanding our horizons, the assortment often ends up creating confusion, making it difficult to select a purchase.

The act of giving does not end with the purchase, because the gift itself contains a series of values: affection, relationships, and genuine friendship. So, who should you turn to for advice? A friend's advice is sometimes precious, but it doesn't always turn out to be the right choice. More than a suggester, we would need a professional, a figure dedicated to listening to requests and enhancing the value of the gift.

A need that Ilaria Apolloni, the first Italian gift planner, has not overlooked.

How did this idea come about?

"I started developing this idea in 2013 when I said to myself, 'Let's go for it, I have to try!' As a consultant, I started focusing exclusively on gifts to make every gift a meaningful moment that can become an opportunity for authentic connection."

So, who is a gift planner and what do they do?

"I assist clients in selecting and designing gifts that truly speak to the recipient, creating bespoke experiences. I am a curious person, passionate about the art of giving, with a particular attention to the stories that each gift can tell. I love personalizing experiences and making every gift unique, making even the simplest objects unique and meaningful."

At Milano Home, you will be promoting workshops. Can you give us a preview?

"I will be present with a tour (Concept Gift Safari) around the various stands and a series of workshops focused on gifts. There are four themes that will be analyzed and discussed during the fair.

·  The world of gifts as an expression of style. Introduction to the concept of a gift as an extension of the recipient's lifestyle and personal tastes. The gift becomes an object that tells a story, in line with the fair's "Mood" proposals, which celebrate design and creativity.

·  The creative process of a Gift Planner. This is a presentation of the path that a Gift Planner follows to create a custom proposal: from listening to the client to analyzing their tastes and needs, to the final selection of the gift. The importance of design and details is highlighted through the connection with the fair's exhibitors, who offer unique and customizable objects.

·  Personalization through design, aimed at deepening the importance of design in gifts and how aesthetics and functionality are crucial factors.

·  The value of personality and etiquette. The talk will conclude with a reflection on the importance of respecting personality and etiquette in choosing and presenting a gift. A personalized gift is not just an object but an experience that reflects the character and dreams of the recipient, following good manners and traditions that make the gesture even more special and meaningful.

What is the value of a gift?

"The gift has a unique emotional and relational value. It is a gesture that expresses attention, connection, and often reminds both the giver and the receiver that they are important to each other. Every gift has a story that goes beyond the object itself, becoming a small chapter in a bond."

How do you choose gifts?

"Choosing a gift requires careful listening. Every gift should be tailored to the recipient, trying to interpret tastes, desires, and passions, but also what the gift symbolizes for the giver. In my book, "The Gift Etiquette," I talk about various suggestions and "gift codes" for choosing them in the best way."

What should shopkeepers know and what questions should they ask their customers to best advise them on gifts?

"It is essential for shopkeepers to ask who will receive the gift, what their interests are, and what they want to convey. Understanding the occasion and the message behind the gift can help advise on a gift that goes beyond the object and becomes an experience. And also understand the sender of the gift, to make the gift so personal."

What is the difference between a gift to someone else and a gift to oneself?

"The first represents a gift of attention, while a gift to oneself is a moment of gratification and self-care. Both respond to a need, but while in the first case we try to connect with the other, in the second we find a way to express appreciation for ourselves, to reward ourselves. I have some clients who periodically rely on me to give themselves gifts."

Gifts for friends, relatives, partners, but also for companies. What are the differences?

"Gifts for friends and relatives often focus on the emotional and affective sphere. For a partner, we try to communicate intimacy and uniqueness. Corporate gifts, on the other hand, aim to strengthen a professional bond and can convey company values or recognize the value of a collaboration, important for increasing employee effort and feeling like a team."

What is meant by "wrapping"?

"Wrapping is the art of packaging and presenting a gift. It's not just about paper or a bow, but about how every detail conveys care and meaning, adding value to the gift experience. I always say, wrapping is the first gift, it is a gift in itself."