It is officially December and that means, if you’re like me, you are frantically asking everyone in your life what they want for the holidays. Kids are easy to buy for, but the older we get the harder it is to get presents for people. Every year when I ask my mom what she wants for Christmas, she responds with “nothing.” Whether it’s a pity trap or an actual desire is beyond me, but this year I am compiling a list of general gifts that can be directed towards any Scrooge or indecisive person in your life.
headphones
Headphones are the perfect gift for pretty much any age. Not only are they practical in both every day life and academic settings, but they can also accessorize any look (if that’s what you’re going for). I was given headphones a few weeks before I left for college and I seriously do not know what I would do without them. They drown out noise when I can’t focus and amplify my music when I want to drown out my surroundings. I have the Beats Studio3 headphones, but I would recommend any headphones that have noise-canceling capabilities. Although Beats and Apple headphones tend to be on the pricier side, there are many options, so you do not have to break the bank.
Plants
As a lover of plants and animals, I am always going to recommend a plant as a gift. Not only do they spruce up any space, but there are also infinite types. This means whether you have a green thumb or if you’re the grim reaper when it comes to plants, there is a plant for you. Some plants like cacti or succulents are better for the latter while ferns are better for more involved plant parents. Of course, you can buy plants at your neighborhood Lowe’s, but a family-owned plant store might be better in this case as they usually have a broad selection.
homemade gifts
Sometimes the budget becomes overshot, and the pencil and paper are looking a little too good. I am here to tell you that homemade gifts are perfectly fine, and some would argue even better than store-bought presents. This is especially directed towards people with artistic talent because a little painted ornament or ceramic piece never hurt anybody. However, those who are not artistically inclined can make special homemade gifts as well. Digital collages, scrapbooks, or decorated picture frames are all good examples of gifts that do not require painting or drawing experience.
personalized gifts
In my opinion, you can tell when a gift had little thought put into it, and the main giveaway is when they are simply not personal. Along with homemade gifts, you can buy personalized gifts. I am a firm believer that the best gifts are ones that were made with love, whether that be physically or intentionally. Personalized gifts such as engraved glasses, blankets with your favorite pictures on them, pillows of your childhood dog, and personalized picture frames are the most memorable gifts. These kinds of gifts allow the gift-giver to be creative and express their gratitude in a different way.
The holidays are coming up, and they are an exciting yet stressful time for everyone. Some Christmas lists are made in October, while others end up on the cutting-room floor. In an effort to make the holidays as easy as possible, I wanted to make this list to help people who might be in a tough spot. I hope this list eases some confusion about what to get your difficult loved ones this time of year.