"They have everything" is the sentence we hear most at the counter. It is rarely true. What people usually mean is that the person buys what they need for themselves, so the obvious gifts are already taken.
These are the four questions we ask to get past it.
What do they do every single day?
Daily rituals are a goldmine. A morning tea drinker will use a good mug every day for years. Someone who writes lists will get through a notebook. The best gifts quietly upgrade a habit they already have.
What would they never buy for themselves?
Many people will happily spend money on practical things but feel silly treating themselves. A solid brass pen, a silk scrunchie or a beautiful candle is a small luxury they would admire in a shop and then put back.
Can it be used up?
For someone with a full house, consumable gifts are a kindness: tea, chocolate, a candle. They bring pleasure, then make room again.
Can you make it theirs?
A set of initials or a short date turns a nice thing into their thing. Personalised gifts are rarely regifted, and they are almost never duplicates.
| If they love... | Try... |
|---|---|
| Their morning routine | A speckled breakfast mug and loose-leaf tea |
| Writing things down | A linen notebook with foiled initials |
| Their home | A rhubarb and rose candle |
| A small treat | A tin of honeycomb crunch |
Still stuck? Send us a gift request with a few sentences about them. It is free, and it is our favourite part of the job.
