It’s that time of year! Decorating for the holidays, drinking hot chocolate, wearing your favorite knit sweaters, playing in the snow, and figuring out what the hell to gift all of your family and friends. This list won’t cover everybody, but I hope it can help with some tricky types.
For: The impossible dude (Dad, brother, boyfriend, …. or just some dude)
- An air tag (for the stuff he’s always losing)
- A nice set of barbecue sauces or hot sauces
- A framed picture (because we all know men’s bedrooms could some more decor) – If it’s someone you’re close with, do a photo of the two of you together!
- A Lego set
- Slides or crocs
- A portable charger (for the guy whose phone is always dead or dying)
For: The wellness guru
This is a very general category because of how much the market for wellness has grown in the last few years, so I’ve divided it up into a few sections of what the person might be more specifically focused on.
Workouts
- Yoga or workout mat
- Offer to go to a workout class together!
Diet
- A wellness-oriented cookbook that aligns with their dietary goals (e.g. if they’re trying to go vegan, buy them a vegan cookbook!)
- Some nice kitchen equipment- maybe a new knife set, some cooking pans, or cookware
Sleep
- Eye mask and/or ear plugs for the light sleepers
- Hatch alarm clock (more on the expensive side, but worth it)
Mental health
- A journal
- Subscription to a meditation app
- A low maintenance plant to take care of
Etc
- Face mask (yes, I know they don’t have any real health benefits, but they’re fun and relaxing!)
For: The pet (obsessed) owner
- A custom pillow, drawing, figure, or even crochet plush of their pet (Etsy is your best bet)
- For dogs & cats: Toys for their pet to play with (that the owner will also enjoy) & A nice water bowl
- A lint roller (boring but necessary)
- Jewelry that reminds them of/resembles their pet
For: The academic weapon
- Set of highlighters or nice pens
- Subscription to a screentime management app
- If they like energy drinks- get some of their favorites!
- A nice set of headphones (ideally noise-cancelling if they often study on campus or in a noisy dorm)
- An insulated tumbler to take their coffee anywhere they go
- Desk chair cushions/cover
For: The cinephile
- If they love literally any A24 movie, check out the A24 online shop for gifts
- A mini projector (to watch at home, on the “big screen”)
- The screenplay for their favorite movie (Can buy these at most places where you’d buy books)
- A physical copy and a DVD player (if they don’t already have one) of some of their favorite movies
- Vintage movie posters
- Offer to go see a movie with them!
For: That person with the immune system of a Victorian child (me)
- A cozy blanket to cuddle up in when sick (Even better if it’s a weighted blanket!)
- A collection of different herbal teas or a tea bag organizer
- And a cute mug to go with it!
- If they’re a reader: a book to read when they’re stuck at home
For: The chronically overwhelmed woman (probably your mom)
- Hatch sunrise clock + app subscription – $150
- A nice scarf or shawl
- An organizer/planner and a calendar (if she doesn’t already have ten)
- Meal kit subscription trial like Blue Apron or HelloFresh
- Password manager (Could be a physical notebook or an online subscription)
- Spa day gift card/certificate (a little on the expensive side)