Judge durability from the perspective of material
Natural material type
Wooden materials: If wooden gifts are made of hard and dense wood, such as oak or walnut, they are usually more durable. Take wooden photo frames as an example. This type of wood has a high density and can effectively resist bumps and scratches during daily use, and is less likely to deform or get damaged. Moreover, the grain of solid wood is naturally beautiful and, over time, it will develop a unique texture. However, if softwood, such as pine, is chosen, although the price may be relatively low, its texture is soft and it is prone to scratches, thus greatly reducing its durability.
Leather material: High-quality leather has excellent flexibility and wear resistance. For instance, a leather wallet, if made of top-grain cowhide, has a tight fiber structure that can withstand daily friction and pulling. Even after years of use, it can still maintain a good shape and texture. However, artificial leather or low-quality genuine leather may have problems such as peeling and cracking, and is less durable.
Synthetic material type
Metal materials: The durability of metal gifts depends on the type of metal and the processing technology. Stainless steel is a common durable metal material, which features corrosion resistance and high strength. For instance, stainless steel thermos cups, after undergoing proper processing, have a smooth surface that is not prone to rust and can maintain their heat preservation performance for a long time. Some low-quality metals, such as thin iron sheets, may rust and deform after being used for a period of time.
Plastic materials: The durability of different plastics varies greatly. Engineering plastics, such as polycarbonate (PC), have high strength, high toughness and good heat resistance. For instance, children's toys made of polycarbonate can withstand certain drops and compressions and are not prone to damage. However, common soft plastics, such as polyethylene (PE), are relatively soft in texture, prone to deformation and cracking, and have poor durability.
Durability is judged by the manufacturing process
Sewing technique: For some gifts that need to be sewn, such as clothes and bags, the quality of the sewing technique directly affects their durability. Gifts made with double-thread sewing or edging techniques have more secure stitches and are less likely to come apart. For instance, a denim jacket sewn with two threads can withstand considerable tensile force and is less likely to come loose during wearing and washing. However, gifts sewn with a single thread and without an edge lock tend to have loose stitches, which affects their service life.
Splicing technique: In wooden or plastic products, the splicing technique is also very crucial. Wooden furniture joined by mortise and tenon structure has tight connections between each component, stable structure, capable of withstanding considerable weight and pressure, and is not prone to loosening or falling apart. In contrast, the simple gluing method of joining with glue may cause the glue to lose its effectiveness after long-term use or moisture exposure, leading to the separation of components.
Surface treatment process: A good surface treatment process can enhance the durability of the gift. For instance, after electroplating treatment, a protective film will form on the surface of metal gifts, which can effectively prevent the metal from oxidizing and rusting. Wooden gifts, after being painted or waxed, not only enhance their aesthetic appeal but also prevent the wood from getting damp, deformed or infested by insects.
Judge durability from the usage scenarios
High-frequency usage scenarios: If the gift is frequently used, then the requirement for its durability is even higher. For instance, a computer bag given to office workers, which requires carrying a computer and documents back and forth between the company and home every day, has to bear a certain weight and frequent friction. Therefore, computer bags should be made of wear-resistant and tear-resistant materials, and have a reasonable structural design, such as reinforced handles and shoulder straps, to enhance their durability.
Harsh environmental scenarios: If the gift is likely to be used in harsh environments, durability becomes even more important. For instance, a pair of hiking shoes given to outdoor sports enthusiasts has to deal with various complex terrains and weather conditions, such as mud, rocks, rain, etc. Therefore, hiking shoes need to have excellent waterproof, anti-slip and wear-resistant properties. The soles should be thick and have sufficient grip, and the uppers should be able to resist wear and tear.
Special-purpose scenarios: For some gifts with special purposes, there are also specific requirements for durability. For instance, a tripod given to a photographer needs to remain stable during use, be able to bear the weight of the camera and withstand certain wind forces. This requires that the material of the tripod be sturdy, the joint parts be tightly connected and not easy to loosen.
Judge durability based on past user feedback
Online review reference: When purchasing gifts, you can refer to the reviews on online shopping platforms or other user review websites. If the majority of users report that the gift has no quality issues after being used for a period of time, it indicates that its durability is relatively good. For instance, for a smartwatch, if many users comment that the battery remains durable after over a year of use, the strap shows no wear and tear, and there are no scratches on the screen, then the durability of this watch is relatively reliable.
Word-of-mouth promotion: You can also ask your friends and colleagues around you to learn about their experiences of using certain gifts. If a certain gift has a good reputation among people and there are few complaints about quality issues, then its durability may also be relatively high. For instance, a certain brand of thermos cup has been used by many people around me, and they all say that it has a good heat preservation effect and has not leaked for a long time. Then this thermos cup can be a more durable choice.