Finding the perfect gift for someone can be time consuming and hard. We find ourselves scrambling around trying to select the perfect gift. What do they need? What do they want? What should I buy? We can spend ages in shops asking ourselves these same questions. However, research has shown that giving to others can make us happier than if we were to spend the same amount of money on ourselves. Whether you’re buying a Secret Santa for a colleague you barely know or a birthday present to a relative who claims “they don’t want anything this year”, we’ve rounded up some great tips to help you find the perfect present for any occasion.
Get Stalking
Spend some time making a list of all the things they like and they are interested in. Spend about 5 minutes on this and have a really good think. If you’re struggling, look at photos of them on their social media pages. Have they got a staple pair of earrings they always wear? Have they got a favourite beverage they always seem to drink? Or is there an activity they love doing? Identifying things like this can help give you an idea of the kind of things they may like. After all, there’s nothing worse than spending money on a present that isn’t wanted.
Graphic t-shirts are a great wreday to express someone’s interest in a geeky video game, love on TV series, or attract attention with beautiful, cute, or hilarious designs. If he is a fan of Breaking Bad, then give him this Los Pollos Hermanos t-shirt for some bold proclamation in the crowd that he is a diehard Heisenberg fan when he wears this tee shirt.
If in Doubt, Go Personalised!
If you’re struggling, you can always fall back on a personalised gift. Getting a personalised gift will show that you’ve put thought and time into the present. To make it even more special, try to get something they would want or need – a piece of personalised jewellery, a personalised flask or water bottle or some personalised stationery for a child going back to school are all great ideas.
Personalised gifts are also great for when you want to get something special but you don’t know what. Why not try a yummy personalised bar of chocolate as a thank you teacher gift? Selecting a gift for a teacher can be tricky if you don’t know their likes and interests. Morse Toad Magical Messaging inscribes your cute messages onto a scrumptious chocolate bar. You can also upload a picture and write a little message so they know who it’s from. A yummy gesture of gratitude is sure to put a big smile on anyone’s face!
An Exciting Experience
Another fabulous present idea for when you are struggling is to buy an exciting experience for them to enjoy. This idea is a winner because you can enjoy the experience along with the recipient. There are loads of options when it comes to experience; a voucher for their favourite restaurant, a wine tasting experience, a car racing experience or even a cooking class – the options are endless!
Go for Jokes
If you want to make them laugh, get them a novelty gift. Know someone that loves potatoes? Get a big sack of them. Get a joke book for dad, a champagne flute baby bottle for your niece or get your recently single friend a book of hexes for your exes. Another hilarious idea would be to conceal your gift within a gift you know they would hate. Conceal the jewellery you got for your liberal friend inside Boris Johnson’s biography and watch their expression of horror as they unwrap their present.
Give a Gift That Keeps on Giving
Get them a subscription. Go back to that list you made at the beginning and figure out which one of those can be turned into a subscription. It could be a coffee, teas from around the world, jams or a biscuit subscription for that biscuit addict. Keep it more practical with a monthly sock, tie or shirt delivery. That warm feeling they feel when they receive something special will stay with them long after the original gift-giving occasion has passed.
Make it Tasty
There’s nothing nicer than receiving a gift that has been specially made just for you. And let’s face it, food is a universal pleaser. Try to avoid the boring stuff they can get any time like a cliché box of chocolates. Instead, go for something deliciously original and exciting. Try making some sort of homemade sweet, like speciality fudge or decadent stuffed cookies. You could make a selection of different flavoured hot sauces for that chilli lover. You could even try brewing your own alcohol, or, if that’s a bit too advanced for your skills, try adding a flavouring to their favourite gin or vodka. The possibilities are endless.
Remember, if you’re getting a physical present, make sure you buy a good quality one. If you can’t afford to, club together with others to split the price. As long as you have a good think about what they might like or need and you make the decision with them in mind, you’re sure to select a perfect present!