So, you’re sitting here thinking. What should I buy… Another one of those reindeer mugs that no one will ever drink from? Or yet another set of soap? Oh, come on. Let’s just skip that this year. Last year, I gave my sister a travel mug—and now she’s inseparable from it. Those are the kinds of things we’re going to talk about.
The Classics… But the Ones That Actually Work
Not “universal sets,” but things a person will hold in their hands every day. Like that trusty travel mug.
- A Travel Mug (or Thermos). Seriously, I don’t know why I didn’t have one sooner. Coffee stays hot even after four hours. The downside? Well… if the person only drinks tea, it might look a little odd.
- A Power Bank. But not the tiny one that gives three charges, a proper one. Mine is 20000 mAh. It has saved me so many times… especially on commuter trains. This isn’t a gift; it’s an act of rescue.
- A Gift Certificate to a Bookstore. I know, I know, cliché. But! If you know the person is a reader—it’s perfect.
- A Fleece Jacket. No, not the scratchy kind. A soft one. I’ve been wearing mine for five years. It looks awful, but at home—it’s sacred. Pro: coziness. Con: you have to guess the size, or they’ll look like they’re swimming in it.
- A Tea Set. But not from the supermarket! Go to a specialized store and get advice from the vendor.
And also… here is a bunch of ideas, just as a quick list. Scroll through; maybe something will grab your attention.
- USB Mug Warmer
- Multitool, Swiss Army Knife
- Small Vacuum Cleaner for the Keyboard
- Travel Neck Pillow
- Heated Throw Blanket – my wife can’t live without hers now
- Scented Candles, but the expensive, high-quality kind
- Gamepad for a phone
- Mouse Pad with a Wrist Rest
- Small Projector for movies on the wall
- Not a juicer, but a high-quality Coffee Grinder
For Those “In the Know.” The Non-Standard Picks
If the person has a hobby, give them something from their world. But not the obvious thing. Don’t gift a gamer another mouse if they already own three.
If They Run/Go to the Gym
- A Foam Roller. The best feeling in the world after a workout.
- A Fitness Tracker. Not the newest model, just a decent one. It provides motivation.
- A Quality Shaker Bottle. One that doesn’t leak and is easy to clean.
- Running Compression Sleeves. To keep calves warm in winter.
- Resistance Bands. There are so many types now… you can even train in a hotel.
If They Work at a Computer (IT or not IT)
- Laptop Stand.
- Mechanical Keyboard. It clicks. It’s soothing.
- Vertical Mouse. It looks weird, but your hand won’t get tired.
- USB Hub. I never have enough ports on my desk.
- Desk Lamp with Adjustable Light. A must-have for nighttime.
If They Drive and Love Their Car
- Car Vacuum Cleaner. Not the $5 one, but one that actually sucks up the dirt.
- Microfiber Towels. You can even clean glass with them without streaks.
- Heated Seat Cover. How much this saves you in winter…
- Dashcam (Video Recorder). If they don’t have one yet—it’s mandatory.
- Phone Holder. Simple, but how did we ever live without it?
Gifts That Won’t Gather Dust. Experiences
Sometimes the best gift isn’t a *thing*. It’s a memory. My wife and I once gave friends a gift certificate for a flight in a wind tunnel. They still talk about it.
- A Massage Certificate. A real therapeutic one, not at a beauty salon.
- Tickets to a Master Class. Friends went to pottery—now they have a pile of vases at home.
- An Escape Room. Together. It’s more fun.
- A Restaurant Reservation. But not just “go have lunch,” but with the dessert and coffee already paid for.
How Not to Mess Up? From Personal Experience
Here are not instructions, just my thoughts out loud.
- Look at what the person does in their free time. If they’re into embroidery, don’t buy them a punching bag.
- Age. A teenage nephew and a retired aunt need totally different things. Although… nice socks suit everyone, that’s true.
- What is your relationship? I wouldn’t give a colleague something too personal, but a best friend—absolutely.
- What is their lifestyle? If they are a homebody, a throw blanket is great. If they are constantly on the road—a power bank.
I always put myself in the place of the person I’m buying for. Would I like this? Would I actually use it? If not—then why bother?
Questions You Might Ask Me
- What should you absolutely never give as a gift? Cheap shower gel sets. What is that even saying? “Here are some toiletries, you stink.” Money in an envelope without any thought—boring. “Just in case” items, like a first-aid kit—that’s basically wishing them illness.
- What if I have absolutely no money and no time? There’s a joke: the best gift is a book. But seriously… Bake apples with nuts and honey. Seriously. It’s delicious and straight from the heart. Or take a nice photo and print it in a small format. Inexpensive and very personal.
- Usefulness or Beauty? Usefulness. Always. A beautiful thing will just sit there. But a useful thing—they will use. The ideal is a combination. My travel mug, by the way, is also pretty.
- Can you give money? Well… you can. But do it creatively. Not an envelope, but, say, an original box. Or even a piñata that needs to be broken to get the money out. That’s fun and less cliché.
That’s all there is to it. I hope this article helped you sort things out. The main thing is to remember that a gift is not about the price. It’s about attention. About knowing and understanding the person. Everything else is minor detail.
If you found something useful for yourself—share it with your friends; maybe you’ll save someone’s nervous system. And now I’m off; I still have to figure out what to get my mother-in-law…
Author: S. Quill
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