Much like my father, I’m an easy person to give gifts to. I’m appreciative, see the thought and time behind any gift, and recognise that a gift isn’t just about the recipient but also about the giver in that moment. I also remember the giver every time I wear, use, or see the gift and feel like that friend is with me a tiny bit in that moment. It’s rather lovely to know I was thought of in everyday life. That’s why I like to be that thoughtful for my friends. Admittedly, it’s a challenge because, as adults, we often buy ourselves what we truly need or want, leaving few options for others aside from wine or chocolate. We all know that even the closest friends can miss the mark when it comes to gift selection, but it’s the thought that counts. Not that they thought of giving you a gift, but that they put thought into selecting it. So, based on my own preferences, I’m sharing a list of gift ideas which will hopefully inspire you with your own gift giving.
Experiences
Give a shared or solo experience! Spa visit, lunch out, day trip, or even an ice cream cone and a carousel ride. It can be anything, so long as it is something they’ll enjoy. So, no boat trip if they are known to have seasickness. For my kids birthdays, they each get a shopping spree at a toy store. They know the budget, but most of the fun is roaming the aisles with my undivided attention discovering things they didn’t know existed. Almost always, we leave with one or two reasonable items and no tears. Likely because it is a tradition and there’s no big build-up or pressure surrounding it. Keep it relaxed because stress is no gift for anyone.
Supporting Their Dreams
Give them the blank journal that will be the one to help them get their life together. The journal, sketchbook, or pen to document their history and their future. Or an online class related to an interest or dream.
To Eat
Think about what your friend nibbles on at movie night or orders to drink at brunch. Is there something they only get when they’re out because they don’t know how to make? Do they have a favorite preserve or jam that is hard to find? For my grandmother, she adored gooseberry jam and finding a locally made jar for her felt wonderful. Keep in mind, not everyone loves sweets or chocolate. I don’t even like donuts. Weird to some, but it actually makes me feel sick to eat sugar. I prefer savory to sweet. If you have a friend who loves savoury treats, they may love my faves too. I love Bombay mix, Blue Diamond almonds (smokehouse or wasabi), and salt n vinegar anything. I do love select sweets, like dark chocolate (solo or over cherries), marzipan, Froot Loops, and Cracklin’ Oat Bran. So, think outside the box when it comes to edible gifts.
To Make
Craft supplies are brilliant, but a little goes a long way. Giving a knitter yarn is both obvious and tricky all at once. The right fibre and colorway is essential to consider. If your friend is a vegan crafter, know their stance on preferred fibres and shearing, plus preferred weight. For me, I love DK, Aran, and Worsted in Merino or cotton blends from non-exploited sources. For colorways, neutrals (oatmeal, grey, or navy) are always a safe choice, but also their favorite color. For me, it’s the green that matches my eyes or that perfect pink. I even like aubergine if it has a brown-yellow-green-blue undertone, not on the red end of the purple spectrum.
To accompany the yarn, consider a knitting pattern. Some knitters and crocheters are on Ravelry with a wish list. Though with accessibility issues, make sure your friend still uses that platform before relying on their wish list for hints. This is my Ravelry wish list. This Christmas, my husband gave me Tanis Gray’s Goonies Never Say Die Cowl pattern with two DK skeins from Eve Chambers Textiles (in How I Like My Coffee and Sloe).
Personalised Jewellery
Look local for gifts and ideas. I have an Etsy wish list, but many have a favorites list. Even ideas can come from Etsy. From my wish list, one can infer that I love bees, sentimental or personalised jewellery, and music art. Handwriting jewellery is a nice thought for anyone who has lost someone or for someone who lives far away. It is also a little less patriarchal than a monogram jewellery given as females our last name is almost always determined by a man in our past or presence.
Hometown & Travel Reminders
If your friend lives away from their hometown, consider something that reminds them of home. For me, that would be Washington DC or Maryland – and even Seattle. I love these I RUN DC leggings by Maggie O’Neill, who went to my high school. Or useful with sentimentality, like drinking glasses etched with the hometown’s map – here’s a pair of DC Map Glasses. For me and those who grew up where I did, anything Cherry Blossom, Maryland Blue Crab, Old Bay, or Smithsonian (there are two, here’s the other one) is a fairly safe bet. Also, Marylanders love their state flag. And Old Bay, which is iconic by design as shown by this mug and tote bag. For a bit of sentiment with travel, give a Christmas ornament from a place you visited together, like one of these made of lace from Bruges, Belgium. Christmas ornaments generally are good because they don’t have to be dusted, fed, or maintained hugely.
Fun or Nostalgic Stuff
Sometimes, it’s nice to have things you don’t need, but would be fun. A favorite long-lost vintage toy, for instance. Many have been reproduced and are readily available, like Lite Brite. Like the Golden Girls Clue Game or Trout of North America calendar, which my parents bought me every year for ages but it became too difficult when I moved to Ireland. But, a fun board game or calendar is a fab idea for almost anyone. There are so many Uno and Top Trump sets, as well as calendars for any interest. Or for a family gift, this is one I’ve been wanting for me and my kids – a large-scale Connect-4 Game.
Building Their Collection
For someone who collects things, add to their collection in a meaningful way. This could be adjacent and related or directly enhancing the collection itself. I collect things with bees on it, but not just any bees. Knowing the style of the recipient will help guide your decision-making with this. Etsy and eBay are good resources for very specific collections, as well as local second-hand and artisan shops. If they collect something bulky or expensive, look into notecards or a small memento depicting the image of it. Like for typewriters, choose thank you notes with typewriters on it or an upcycled typewriter key necklace with their initial.
The Person Who Has Everything
There are also so many things we wouldn’t get ourselves and that’s where you find the perfect gift for someone, especially the person who has everything. Be sentimental, but also slightly impractical for this type of gift. A bookmark from their favorite bookshop where they did study abroad or maybe a framed letter they sent you sharing their dreams which they’ve since built into reality.
Think of a problem solving item that isn’t widely known, or a variation of something they already love. For me, that would be bee jewellery, like these from Ivy Rose. I also love Coeur de Lion, like these dainty earrings. Most of my jewellery was created by my friend Jennica of de Maquis Designs (I interviewed her for my blog), so this Calacuccia – Dui pair of would be a treat since I think it’s one of the few pieces I don’t have. Or a little zippered pouch for organising things that is decorated in an interesting way. I love ones that look like food or have bees, of course.
Safe Bets
Let’s face it, there’s a reason people give candles as gifts – they’re safe bets. But you have to get the scent right or get the favorite scent of your gift recipient. Somehow, all the candles I’ve been given are ones I love, even though I don’t have a set favorite brand or aroma. I do love earthy notes, like bergamot & fig. Wax melts are also a clever and more lasting idea and I love the ones from Field Day here in Ireland. And for readers, a vintage or special edition of their favorite book, like the Penguin Clothbound Classics, would be a beautiful gift.
Next time you’re stuck for a gift idea, sometimes it helps to think differently, while keeping your recipient centered in your brainstorming. Try to avoid more stuff for the sake of stuff.