Gift Buying Guide

As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to start thinking about buying gifts for family and friends. However, this isn’t an easy task. It’s impossible to guess exactly what people want without asking them directly, and this could take away the fun element of surprise.

Shopping for parents is often extremely difficult because they like to say that they don’t want anything. We all know that this isn’t true. While some of them might not know what in specific they would like, there are certain timeless gifts that will never disappoint. 

Mothers love to receive anything that shows love and thought. Relaxing, self-care items such as scented candles, a soft blanket, or sleep masks will all be appreciated by her. Experiences are always special and a spa day, manicure/pedicure, or reservations for something where you can spend time together will be a great gift. She won’t be disappointed if you get her something fashion-related and this can come in the form of a nice bag, jewelry, or clothes that fit her style perfectly. A unique gift such as something for her daily routine is also a great idea as you can buy her a kitchen accessory or technology to make life easier in general. Of course, a sentimental gift is always loved and jewelry with her initial, a personalized keepsake, a photoframe, or a memory jar with kind notes inside is the perfect idea. 

Your dad on the other hand might be difficult to shop for, but by keeping things simple, your job will become much easier. He will enjoy daily items such as premium wallets, a cardholder, or a durable keychain. It’s hard to go wrong with tech gifts such as noise-cancelling headphones, a new electric razor or trimmer, or maybe a new phone or tablet if your budget allows. Tools and typical “Dad things” are also great ideas with many options on the market for magnetic wristbands, multi-tool kits, and compact drill sets. He will also enjoy quality accessories such as a watch or cologne. If he’s into cooking and food, there are great gift choices everywhere for chef knives, cast iron skillets, gourmet spics. If you want to really go all in with a gift for a foodie-dad, you could buy him a smoker or sous-vide machine. Sporty fathers are easy to shop for as he’ll love any type of merchandise or apparel from his favorite team. 

Moving on to siblings, it’s important to truly understand their interests. While this is key, there still are some items that you’ll be safe buying for them. Sisters will enjoy self-care and beauty items, decor, keepsakes, practical gifts, and personalized pieces. Silk pillowcases are great for her hair and skin, a neck and back massager is perfect for relaxation, and a journal prompts her to stay organized and happy. Brothers will enjoy anything ranging from gadgets/tech to trendy clothing. Headphones/airpods, trending hoodies, new shoes that match his style, or stylish jewelry are all perfect choices. 

Buying gifts for friends is easier than you may think. Gift cards are not a bad gift but it is always nice to give something that shows the thought you put into the present. For the friends that you can laugh with for hours on end, it’s best to get a funny and comedic gift that you know they’ll get a kick out of. For those met through sports, tickets to a game between your favorite teams (or to your favorite team if you both support the same one) is a very meaningful gift. 

However, budgets don’t always allow for loads of extravagant gifts per person. Gift-buying on a budget is relatively easy through prioritizing and allocating costs. The popular saying “quality over quantity” perfectly summarizes the ideal thought process. Purchasing one to two extremely meaningful gifts per person is the best way to go about it. The best gifts don’t need to be super expensive, but they do need to demonstrate thought and individuality. For example, if you know that your mom loves jewelry, a personalized necklace with her initials or a photo pendant of your family is a perfect gift that she will cherish forever. 

Hopefully this gift buying guide helped you out and gave you some inspiration for what to buy your loved ones for the holidays!