Welcome to December! I love this month as it’s full of so many celebrations! However, for many, it can be stressful, especially when it comes to finding that perfect holiday gift. It seems to be that you either are great at giving gifts or you’re a “hit-and-miss” type. Most of us are the latter and it can be challenging to feel like we’re getting the right thing for our loved ones.
A few weeks ago, I did a little poll on Instagram asking if you all wanted gift guides. An overwhelming majority of you said “yes”. But, as the season went on and as I saw more bloggers put out gift guides, I felt that creating more gift guides would add to the noise. I also felt it wasn’t a notion I could authentically contribute to as many bloggers use it as an opportunity to focus more on their affiliate links than actually providing useful information.
If you’re dead set on a gift guide, the one I’ve come across that I thought was well-thought out and great is this one from The Everygirl. I also encourage you to shop small businesses! I love Ozetta Knitwear and DeBrosse NYC for cozy things!
Anyway, I wanted to give you all a few tips I’ve learned over the years for finding a great gift no matter who you’re shopping for!
Look for meaning
I’m not a big gift person. I love giving, but getting gifts isn’t high on my list. I’m more about moments. Some of the best gifts I’ve gotten have been travel-related and photo-related. I was always more excited for the cards! When you’re out looking around, it can be easy to just go for the thing that someone might like in general. However, I challenge you to add a personal value to it.
If you’re stumped, make a list of things you know the person likes. You know more than you think. This can be anything from favorite color to their favorite movie. What do they do in their free time? Are they a coffee or tea person? Do they love to cook or bake? These are all some simple things to take note of that can lead to the perfect gift!
for the person who has everything
We all know that one person who seems to have everything they need already…or hates everything people get them. It can be an exceptional challenge because the need to “perform” gift-wise is intense. The best thing to offer is something that gives them the most freedom of choice, such as a subscription service.
For example, if you know they’re an avid reader, get them a few months worth of a subscription to a service like Book of the Month. They can choose their own book every month, or if they don’t like any of the selections, roll over the subscription to the next month. (I’ve talked more about BOTM here, if you’re interested!)
I like the idea of subscription services because it provides a lot of freedom without going the gift card route. Gift cards can be useful, too, but be sure that you’re offering something that they will actually use. If you’re not sure if they’d like it, skip it and opt for the safer gift card or subscription.
avoid clothing and things that smell
In my experience, it’s never wise to gift a clothing piece unless it’s specifically asked for. It’s actually unusual for people to have identical taste as you for clothes. Plus, it can be risky if you’re guessing the size. In addition, avoid anything that has a scent to it, like lotions, candles, scented oils, and perfumes. Scents and clothing are some of the most personal choices we make (they’re our identity after all) that it’s typically too much when someone tries to gift us something that unique.
strike a meaningful conversation
If you’re still feeling stumped, call up the person you’re shopping for. You don’t have to flat out ask what they’d like (although, you can if you want if you’re not worried about the element of surprise). But, you can ask questions, like if there’s any movies out they’d like to see (if yes, movie tickets might be a great option), what’s new in their life (like if they’re planning a garden, seeds and tools might be a good idea), etc., etc.