Gift Guide

---
name: gift-guide
description: "Creates themed gift guides with product curation, descriptions, price tiers, and promotional strategy for seasonal marketing."
allowed-tools: Read Write Glob
metadata:
  author: matthewhitcham
  version: "1.0"
---

# Gift Guide

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:
- Create a themed gift guide featuring your products or curated selections
- Write compelling product descriptions for a gift-buying audience
- Organize products into price tiers for different budgets
- Plan promotional strategy for distributing the gift guide

**DO NOT** use this skill for general product catalogs, wishlists, or product comparison pages. This is for gift-focused content designed to drive seasonal or occasion-based purchases.

---

## Core Principle

A GIFT GUIDE SELLS THE FEELING OF GIVING, NOT THE PRODUCT SPECS — EVERY DESCRIPTION SHOULD HELP THE BUYER PICTURE THE RECIPIENT'S REACTION.

---

## Phase 1: Guide Brief

### Required Inputs

| Input | What to Ask | Default |
|-------|------------|---------|
| **Theme / occasion** | "What is the gift guide theme — holiday, Mother's Day, birthday, etc.?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Recipient persona** | "Who is the gift for — 'him,' 'her,' age group, hobby, relationship?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Products to feature** | "List products to include, or should I help curate from your catalog?" | User provides product list |
| **Price range** | "What price range should the guide cover?" | $25-$150 |
| **Distribution channels** | "Where will this guide live — blog, email, social, print?" | Blog post + email |

**GATE: Confirm theme, audience, and product list before writing.**

---

## Phase 2: Curation & Structure

### Price Tier Organization

Organize products into 3 tiers:

```
## Gift Guide Structure

### Under $50 — Thoughtful Starters
- [Product 1] — $XX
- [Product 2] — $XX

### $50-$100 — Crowd Pleasers
- [Product 3] — $XX
- [Product 4] — $XX

### $100+ — Go All Out
- [Product 5] — $XX
- [Product 6] — $XX
```

### Curation Rules

1. **5-15 products per guide** — enough variety without decision fatigue
2. **Mix of price points** — at least 2 items in each tier
3. **Hero product** — one standout item featured prominently with extended description
4. **Complementary pairings** — suggest items that work together as a gift set
5. **Bestseller inclusion** — at least one proven top seller to anchor credibility

---

## Phase 3: Write Product Descriptions

### Description Format

For each product, write:

```
### [Product Name] — $XX

**Perfect for:** [specific recipient type]

[2-3 sentences describing why this makes a great gift. Focus on the emotional payoff — how the recipient will feel, how they will use it, what makes it special. Avoid specs unless they add to the story.]

**Why they'll love it:** [One specific, vivid detail that makes this gift memorable]
```

### Writing Rules

- Lead with emotion, not features — "wraps them in warmth on cold mornings" beats "100% merino wool"
- Use second person — "your mom," "your partner," "the person who..."
- Include a gift-giving scenario — "perfect for Christmas morning" or "the kind of thing they'd never buy themselves"
- Mention if gift-wrapping or personalization is available
- Note shipping cutoffs for time-sensitive occasions

---

## Phase 4: Promotional Strategy

### Distribution Plan

| Channel | Format | Timing |
|---------|--------|--------|
| Blog post | Full guide with images and links | 4-6 weeks before occasion |
| Email | Condensed version with top 5 picks | 3-4 weeks before |
| Instagram | Carousel with one product per slide | 2-3 weeks before |
| Pinterest | Individual product pins linking to guide | 4-6 weeks before (longer shelf life) |
| Email reminder | "Last chance" with shipping deadline | 1 week before |

### SEO Title & Meta

```
**Title:** [X] Best [Occasion] Gifts for [Recipient] ([Year]) — [Brand Name]
**Meta (155 chars):** Find the perfect [occasion] gift for [recipient]. Curated picks from $XX to $XXX — plus free shipping on orders over $XX.
```

### Cross-Promotion Tactics

- Bundle 2-3 guide items as a "curated gift set" at a slight discount
- Offer gift-wrapping as an add-on at checkout
- Create a "gift guide" collection page on your store for easy shopping
- Partner with complementary brands for a collaborative guide (expands reach)

---

## Anti-Patterns

- **Too many products** — guides with 30+ items overwhelm buyers. Curate ruthlessly.
- **Spec-heavy descriptions** — gift buyers care about "will they love it?" not "dimensions: 8x10x3."
- **No price tiers** — forcing all products into one range excludes budget-conscious and splurge-ready buyers.
- **Publishing too late** — a gift guide posted 3 days before Christmas misses the buying window.
- **No buy links** — every product must link directly to the purchase page. Zero extra clicks.
- **Ignoring shipping deadlines** — always include order-by dates for guaranteed delivery.

---

## Recovery

- **Too few products to fill a guide:** Curate items from partner brands or suggest complementary products the buyer could pair with yours.
- **No product photos:** Use supplier images temporarily, but schedule a photo shoot. Text-only guides convert poorly.
- **Guide for a niche audience:** The more specific, the better — "Gifts for Plant Dads Under $50" outperforms "Gifts for Him."
- **Low engagement on the guide:** Reshare with different angles — "most popular pick," "almost sold out," "editor's choice."
- **Products sell out during promotion:** Update the guide immediately with alternatives or "sold out — join waitlist" messaging.