It has been almost three months since the launch of our Personalized Coloring Books and they've proven to be a big success. As someone who loves creation and experimentation, I put my heart and soul into this project, considering it to be much more than just a product.
From Idea to Launch: The Story of Personalized Coloring Books
I had the moment of inspiration while sipping iced coffee, brainstorming ideas with my best friend on what to gift our other best friend for her 24th birthday, and that is how this idea came to be.
Why did I create a coloring book for her? Was it simply a compilation of our key memories together? No, it was so much more.
My professional life differs from that of my friends due to the fact that I own a creative business, making it challenging for me to connect with those who have a more conventional corporate job. Their struggles are different from mine, but with my best friend working from home and juggling day to day responsibilities, I could tell she was becoming overwhelmed and drained.
Breaking away from a monotonous routine can be difficult, so I thought giving her a coloring book as a gift for her birthday would be a great way to help her de-stress and unwind. And what better way to make it truly hers than by adding her pictures, right? I included some of our favorite pictures together, from our twelfth grade school trip and monthly dinner dates to our birthdays and the weddings we attended together. This book holds special significance for both of us, the thought and photographs making it one-of-a-kind and truly wholesome.
The small gesture was well received and even went viral on Instagram when I uploaded a montage, leading us to incorporate it into our collection of personalized gifts. We've personalized over 50 coloring books in the past three months, spreading smiles to many faces.
The Emotional Connection Behind Gift Giving
Even though I would like to revel in the joy of the love and support showered upon this project, something has been weighing on my mind. After analyzing our store’s performance over the years and the buying patterns for this specific launch, I was surprised to find out that none of the coloring books were purchased by male customers. All 56 of the books we have customized so far were bought by women.
Upon further research on gender patterns associated with purchasing decisions, I found that women tend to carry more emotional weight in their purchasing decisions and are more involved in gift giving.
The purchases are made regardless of the gender of the receiver or the type of relationship. Some coloring books have been bought as birthday or farewell gifts for best friends or siblings, while others have been customized for celebrating anniversaries, dating milestones, or holidays such as Eid and Valentine's Day. My personal favorite is the "just because" category. These shopping behaviors suggest how women are more expressive in conveying their love and appreciation via such keepsakes and gifts.
Like selecting gifts for men seems like a daunting task for women (it can’t just be me, oh please), I’ve come to realize that picking a gift for women that truly show love is no walk in the park for men either.
Gift Giving Redefined: My Two Cents
The subjective experience of gift giving depends on a fireworks of factors. Contrary from popular trends, for some the “surprise factor” is overrated, and some might just prefer a gift card. Personally, I don’t share the belief that the pricier the gift the better. A simple handmade card that costs less ₹50 in art supplies is worth more than any expensive gift to me. Similarly, some receivers are more happy with gifts they specifically ask for.
For all the men out there, here is my two cents on gift giving (as a self-proclaimed gifting expert and a woman):
Material gifts like clothes and shoes may become worn out or not be to everyone's taste, but handmade gifts like coloring books? Well, they’ll surely be appreciated, and will always be kept safe in that one little shoebox along with the movie tickets, dried roses, handwritten letters and keepsakes.
Consider planning a sweet and simple picnic or art date with your loved ones, whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, your sibling’s birthday, or simply to show them you care. This fun activity will relieve stress for both you and them and make for a memorable day. If you need assistance creating a personalized coloring book, we’re happy to help!
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