Have you ever been two weeks away from Christmas and realized you forgot to buy a gift for your mom’s sister’s husband’s cousin’s son? Well, I have the answer for you! Gifts can be a pain to buy, especially during the Christmas season when popular items are in high demand. It is hard to come up with gift ideas for your most beloved friends and family.
When trying to find a gift for someone you love, many steps can help you decide what to get them. When you are stuck, I suggest taking out a piece of paper and thinking about a few things that pop into your brain when you think of them. This could be their favorite products, interests, a memory you shared, or a time that something made them smile. After you do this, it should be easier to narrow down the genres of gifts that you should get for them, and if you can focus on one thing, that’s even better. Theology teacher Ms. Adams says, “A meaningful gift is more impactful because the person receiving the gift knows the buyer loves them.” Ultimately, gifts with a purpose mean a lot more to a person than something grand and expensive.
However, if you are looking for a gift that is not personalized and can be for anyone, there are a few I recommend. When thinking about buying a gift, think about how often they would use it; if you think that you would just stuff it away in some cabinet, maybe it’s not right. Some things you can think about could be decorations. If you have been to their house, perhaps you could pick out something you think would match the decorations of that person’s house or room. If you are looking for a more generic gift, women always love candles, decorative blankets, and house slippers. For men, safe gifts include a speaker, polarized sunglasses, and if they like video games, a new controller. Another good idea when giving gifts is if you can’t find one gift to give them, you can always get a small bin or basket and fill it with small treats, self-care items, clothing, and fun trinkets.
Now, for the hardest people to buy gifts for….your parents. I know sometimes buying gifts for your parents can be hard, but all you have to do is listen. Chances are when living with them every day, they will mention wanting or needing something. If you are not a good listener, getting your mom a massage certificate and your dad a new pair of work shoes is always a go-to. If you are looking for a really meaningful gift, make a plan to do something you enjoy and spend the day together. This could include going to a Broadway show, a short trip, an art gallery, or anything else that seems like it would be fun.
On a serious note, when giving gifts, it really is the thought that counts, even if the gift doesn’t cost a lot of money. As long as you show that you put an inkling of thought into it, I am sure whoever you are gifting will be happy.
