The same thing happens every year: it gets closer and closer to Christmas (or someone’s birthday), and I procrastinate sorting a gift because I never know where to start, and then I end up looking on tiktok or youtube or etsy for āgood christmas presents for mumā and get the same overused impersonal gifts like ābest mum keychainā or a personalised apron or candle. And don’t even get me started on the āgrill setsā that come up when you search ‘gifts for [insert man in your life]ā – the gender politics in gift giving deserves another whole article itself. However, online shops like etsy, or even tiktok now, have amazing gift options, you just have to know where and how to find them. Here Iāve compiled my advice for how to give good gifts that people actually want and will actually use – this holiday season and all year round.Ā
- Be organised – don’t leave gift planning until the very last minute and end up paying more money than the gift itself on postage.Ā
- Don’t be afraid to shop second hand. As much as everyone loves vinted, depop, ebay and facebook market place, there seems to be a fear ofĀ giftingĀ pre-loved items. You can find amazing things for real bargains on these sites, loads of vintage jewellery and home decor bits, and lots of sellers sell things that are still brand new in boxes and with tags because they missed the return date. Definitely don’t shy away looking on these sites, they’ll probably be where you find your best, most unique, and most individual gifts.
- Go through old chats or conversations with whoever you’re buying gifts for. This can be time consuming, so you can try to keep track of things that they mention throughout the year so that you have a place to start. For example, my housemate loves M&S picky bits, and sends me countless tiktoks about it, but as students, she would never justify spending the money herself, so for secret santa Iām putting together a hamper of bits for her.
- Functional luxuries (they say you buy nice or buy twice). Replace something that is only slightly broken but they still use anyway because they canāt justify paying for a new one themselves. If your friend has recently moved into a new place, get some lovely wine glasses or tumblers. If they love baking, get some really nice baking equipment, expensive vanilla extract (sadly yes the more expensive ones are better – it’s a tragedy for all bakers). If they enjoy cooking, buy them some nice knives, or a really high quality frying pan, cast iron, or casserole dish. If they got a free sample of some makeup or skincare that they love but it’s too expensive for them to buy on an average Tuesday, gift them a full size bottle. Pay attention to what people want or need, and spend a little extra on a high quality version for them. Luxury doesn’t always equate to super expensive gifts though, so donāt let this concept put you off; my dad wanted some high quality gardening gloves to replace his flimsy fabric ones, and they only cost me Ā£8. Iāve always been jealous of the luxury everyday food hamper my housemate got from her parents last year, with the fanciest pesto, fresh bakery bread, fun pasta shapes that you donāt get at a regular supermarket, and some proper chocolate truffles – gifts like these donāt break the bank, but are always really appreciated.
- Don’t be afraid to actually ask people what they want, and if people are asking you, don’t be afraid to actually tell them. I have kept a wishlist throughout the year of things Iāve seen that Iād like but donāt have the money for, and have put these things aside in a notes app: some cat’s eye nail polish, some dual chrome eyeshadow, a bottle of nice orange gin, and when people have asked what Iād like for my birthday, this is the direction Iāll send them in. I think weāre all too self-conscious to share what we actually want, and prices can be an uncomfortable concept, but trust me, it’s easy for the gift giver to have somewhere to start, and they know you’ll actually want it, plus, you as a receiver will be so much happier to have something you’ve been wanting, rather than another blanket, candle, or Boots pre-made Christmas gift sets.Ā
- Make something – utilise your talents. Can you crochet? Paint? Sew? Are you good at pottery or making things with air dry clay? People love personalised gifts, and theyāre often kind to your pocket. For my best friendās 21st birthday, I made her a photo collage of our favourite pictures, personalised notes, inside jokes, and fun stickers, and framed it to go on her gallery wall in her uni flat.
- Gift an experience. Take them to a bathbomb making workshop at Lush, or take them to see a show that they love, treat them to dinner at their favourite high-end restaurant, plan a day out that is linked to an interest of theirs; go to a National Trust site, go and explore the city theyāve been talking about visiting for ages and buy their souvenir Your presence and time is a gift in and of itself too.
- If nothing here so far has inspired you, try thinking about these prompts:
- Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read
- 5 senses
Get something for each of the senses: touch, taste, sound, sight, smellĀ
E.g. a new soft bed set for touch, their favourite snacks for taste, a personalised playlist for sound, some room decor for sight, and some nice toiletries / perfume / a candle for smell
Try to avoid tat for tatās sake this Christmas; don’t just buy things to bulk out a gift or a stocking filler, because theyāre a waste of your money, a waste of their space, and will end up in landfill. Shop responsibly and mindfully this holiday season, and enjoy the act of planning and giving gifts! You mighy discover it’s your new love language.
Wishing you a peaceful, festive, wonderful holiday season. Happy gifting!