If you’re like me, you have perused ten million different gift guides trying to find fresh ideas for those people in your life who are difficult to shop for. I cannot promise that I have any new ideas, but I thought it might be helpful for me to create a master list of the best gifts I have received and given over the years. I opted not to break this down by category because many of these items are not gender specific or age specific.
As always, I will offer a few caveats: I think it is worth asking people for gift ideas. Some people are more comfortable giving specific ideas than others, but I prefer to give people something that would actually be useful and appreciated rather than regifted, donated, or hidden in the back of the closet. I have tried and missed a few times, so now I try to keep the surprises to stocking stuffers. That way, if the gift really misses the mark, it is not too expensive and hopefully can be easily re-homed. I also personally do not like gag gifts, so I steer away from those.
I know some people opt not to do gift exchanges at all or do a Secret Santa. That certainly can help simplify things, especially for large families or for folks who can already buy everything they want or need.
Experience gifts and charitable contributions are of course great options, but for the purposes of the list below, I am detailing traditional tangible gifts.
In no particular order, my favorite gifts:
Customized photo gifts from places like Minted or Framebridge: There are many directions you could go with this gift. Calendars are popular for many, and they are consumable, so you can create a new one each year with fresh photos. One year I did a tear-off daily calendar, and that was a labor of love and a lot of photos but a fun gift that kept on giving throughout the year. You can even create jigsaw puzzles with photos. I prefer consumable photo gifts (e.g., calendars, puzzles) over keepsakes (e.g., mugs and artwork) because personal taste is less of a factor with a consumable—I am not trying to give them something for them to keep forever.
That said, sometimes custom art is a really nice gift. Sellers on Etsy will create custom house photos or pet portraits, and there are some nice professional framing services that can frame portraits. You need to know the person well to do this and have an idea of their taste (and also if they already have something similar in their home).
Consumables like wine, coffee, tea, candles, and lotions may be great, but again, you need to know your audience. I happen to be in a family that for the most part, does not like coffee or wine (I know!). Some people do not care about having a fancy or premium version of what they love; they would prefer to stick with what they know, so that expensive bottle of lotion is underappreciated. I think consumables are a great gift for people you do not know well, because most likely they can use the item when hosting or even regift. Consumables can be an excellent gift if your person loves the finer things in life and you love to do research to find the best stuff. If you do want to go the consumable route, here are some we love:
Luxardo cherries: The most exquisite and most delicious cherries for cocktails. Worth it.
Lush cuticle cream: The most hydrating and rich cream for cracked, dry skin. They also make super cute bath bombs for kids.
Bombas: I legit think these are the most comfortable socks ever, and I love their mission.
Geometry tea towels: So many cute patterns, and wrinkle-free. I always reach for these kitchen towels over any of my others. They get softer with each wash but remain absorbent.
Beautiful paper supplies: I already have professed my love of Simplified products, but many other companies have nice options. A planner is a risky buy because someone may already have one they love, but I think it is a sweet idea to purchase one and fill in a few dates to do something special together.
Rechargeable USB lighters: These are practical, and if someone already has one, an extra is not a bad thing.
LAKE Pajamas robes: The softest robes ever. All of them are good, but I love the lightweight Pima cotton.
If they love their animal, something for their furry friend: A collar with their school colors, a Bark Box subscription, a new toy.
Ember mug: The only mug I use now. Perfect for those who love hot tea or coffee and want to keep it warm for a loooong time.
Potted houseplants: Even if the person does not have a green thumb, the plant will last longer than flowers and bring life to a space.
Something they will wear or use every single day, like jewelry, a watch, the aforementioned mug, robe, and planner. The key is figuring out what will make it someone’s favorite so they reach for your gift over what they already have, so you need to know their style.
A suction-cup acrylic bird feeder will bring anyone joy when birds come visiting.
This ride-on scooter has been such a hit with our six-year-old son. Great for kids too young for a hoverboard (I would say about ages 5-9).
This foam airplane is fun for kids (and grown-ups!).
Subscription boxes like Book of the Month keep on giving after the holidays are over. There are millions out there now, depending on interest: beauty, wine, beer, crafts, and more.
Crafty items: Perler beads and shrinky dinks have been a surprising hit with my kids. There is something about the novelty factor of melting them together or baking them in the oven and watching them shrink before your eyes.
Matching Hanna Anderson pajamas: The quality of these pajamas is amazing, and they easily can be handed down to younger siblings. My kids still love matching each other and the grown-ups. There are many fun prints!
Whew! Now share your ideas in the comments. :)