Christmas Gift-Giving Guide and Advice

Dear Santa 

All I want for Christmas is gift ideas for my friends and family. I can’t get my dad socks again, most of my friends are so hard to shop for and don’t even get me started on what I can get for my boyfriend. Plus, as much as I would love to spoil them all, I’m not made of money. I can’t afford to spend a lot on everyone, and yet I still want to get them an incredible gift that will mean something to them. Please help me. 

Does that sound familiar? With the holiday season in full swing, I’m sure that everyone is neck-deep in Christmas shopping. After all, you can’t leave it too late and risk their being nothing but dust and a few rejects on the shelves. So, everyone is on a mission to ensure all their presents are sorted before all options are gone. The only problem with gift shopping is that it can be so hard to find the right gifts for people. They’re either fussy, or you don’t know their size, or you got them something once that you thought was a good idea and they hated it. So now what? The other problem is as much as you love your friends and family, I’m sure you’re hoping to not end up broke for the rest of the holidays just as a result of gift shopping. 

I’ve felt these pains a lot. I’ve got a large family, and quite a few friends I tend to get gifts for. The only problem is that they’re all so different and sometimes I don’t budget for how expensive getting everyone a beautiful gift can be. All in all, it can be a pretty painful experience so today I’m going to be providing some gift-giving advice, but also a little guide of the types of gifts you can get for people. I really hope it helps you out! 

Something they want 

Duh! Come on Blondey what do you take us for?

OF COURSE, WE WANT TO GET THEM SOMETHING THEY WANT!

Well, of course, but sometimes we don’t think about what a person actually wants. Remember when you were a little kid, and you wrote a letter to Santa with all the gifts you want? Now I know that people aren’t often as clear as they get older. Adults don’t often write letters to Santa of what they want, but people do sometimes make comments about what they want if you listen. If you know your friend has been wanting a new pair of shoes, why not be the person who gets them those shoes? People say what they want more often than we think, so just keep an ear open, and you might have your gift idea given to you right from the source. 

Something they need 

Everyone needs something. I’m sure you’ve had days where you need something small that would make the most significant difference to your day/week/life. Well, why not get the person you’re gift-shopping for something they need? I know it doesn’t seem as inspired, but quite often getting someone a gift they actually need will be far more successful than anything else. 

This is the time where you get to be a bit of a sleuth and can deduce what your friend or family member might need. Maybe you notice at school that your friend’s backpack is looking really tatty, or they got a new phone but haven’t bought a cover yet. That is something they need that you can get for them. It’s harder to think of these kinds of gifts for family members, particularly parents, so that’s when it is time to think beyond material gifts. For example, my dad loves reading or writing, or just having a few minutes alone with his own thoughts, but he gets interrupted by people so often that he never has time for any of that. I’d then get him a coupon for a few hours of uninterrupted alone time and get my brothers to agree that for that period, dad ‘doesn’t exist’. Why not think along those routes? 

*Note that this does kind of go with the first point because often times people do want what they need so you just have to see which idea hits you first.

Think about the person 

People are different. Your friends don’t all have the same likes and dislikes, and the same goes for your family. So why not think about the person you’re getting a gift for? If you know that your one friend’s hobby is nail art, why not get them something related to that? Or if you’re cousin is a huge Harry Potter fan then get something that has something to do with Harry Potter. I know this can get more complicated the fussier the individual is but if you know that person and get them something that makes sense for them, you can’t really go wrong. 

Here are a few ideas to get you going: 

• Bookworms (like myself) will always appreciate a bookstore voucher (unless you know of a specific book they want and haven’t bought yet)
• If they are a fan of a particular franchise (Marvel, Harry Potter Star Wars, Disney etc.), then something themed along those routes can never be turned away. Even if it isn’t limited edition or something particularly special, they’ll appreciate the fact that you remember something they love
• If your friend loves cooking or baking, you could get them a recipe book, a particular cooking tool or utensil you think they might appreciate, an apron, oven mitts or even a blank recipe book for their own creations
• Tech lovers can be challenging to shop for because they can be particular about what they want, so in these cases, I’d suggest a voucher unless you know about something specific
• For quite a few of my girlfriends, you can’t go wrong with bath or beauty products. Check out the bath and body/beauty stores because they usually have plenty of specials this time of year so you could end up saving quite a bit. 

Something homemade 

Depending on how creative you are, this route can either be a blessing or a curse. For example, my younger brother would definitely not go for DIY gifts, but I, on the other hand, will always try to think of a gift I can make myself. The reason why homemade gifts are a good idea is that they are more personal. You put in a lot more effort making a gift than you do buying one (even though I admit finding the right gift to buy does require a lot of effort too), but the person receiving will also realise how much you care for them because you put in the time and effort to make them something. Whether you’re going to be a future artist or thought it might be fun to try to make your own beauty products, I assure you that the person receiving will love and appreciate what you made for them. 

A few ideas of homemade gifts

• Beauty products (like soaps, lotion, scrubs, bath salts and bath bombs) 
• Anything edible (if someone loves sweet stuff then why not make them Christmas cookies, fudge or a particular sweet treat you know they like) 
• Bookends or bookmarks for a bookworm
• A personalised mug. Perfect for anyone who can’t go through the day without a hot beverage
• Mason jar candles

There are so many others, and so many sites online that can give you inspiration. If I’m looking for inspiration, then Pinterest tends to be my starting block, but there are plenty of others. 

Stocking stuffers maybe? 

Who says you have to give people one big gift? Why not a collection of cheaper, little gifts? There’s no rule about the size or type of gift you give so long as there is meaning and thought. If you’re struggling to think of a particular gift for someone then giving them a mason jar or gift bag filled with stocking stuffers is just as good. If you have a friend who loves the spa and things like that then why not get her a collection of little beauty products (a facemask, nail polish, lip gloss and maybe a bath bomb or some essential oils). Guys always tend to be harder than girls though so if you can’t find one sizeable gift for your guy friends or relatives, then just get them a bag filled with stocking stuffers. Things like deodorant, key chains, pocket knives, socks, tiny desk games and anything edible are always good ideas. Again though, if you are looking for more stocking stuffer ideas, then I suggest you check out Pinterest. It really is a resource I cannot emphasise enough. 

Don’t forget about a card 

For me, nothing completes a gift like a card. Sure, you can give someone a present without a card but the card gives every gift a personal touch. Plus, what is the fantastic thing about cards is they last so much longer than most gifts. I can use beauty products, clothes may not always fit, and technology doesn’t last forever, but you can always keep a card. My dad loves cards so much in fact that usually, when we ask him what he wants, he asks for just a card. There’s just something so personal and sweet about a handwritten card that makes a gift that much more special. So, don’t forget about your Christmas cards. They’re often the part that makes people smile or tear up the most (and you get to have fun picking out a card for them). 

P.S. Am I the only one who has more fun shopping for cards than I do for actual gifts? Please leave me a reply in the comments section. 

And so there you have it! I hope that for all of you reading who were looking for some advice were able to get some and I hope that if you were looking for inspiration that one of my suggestions sparked an idea. However, at the end of the day it is the thought that counts (wow that was parenty of me) so if you put in a little thought and effort into it, I’m sure that the person you’re shopping for will love it. Also, remember that it isn’t a competition to see who can spend the most. You don’t have to blow your entire savings just to get someone something they’ve always wanted. Sometimes the best gift a person can receive is something they didn’t even know they wanted. 

If you have any more need for Christmas shopping or gift-giving advice, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment and I’ll respond as soon as possible. I’m also happy to give any suggestions or ideas if you’re struggling to think of a gift for someone, you just have to leave a comment. Anywho, that’s all I have for you guys today. If you enjoyed, then please don’t forget to click the little like button, and subscribe so that you don’t miss any of my Christmas themed blog posts this month (because there is way more to follow). Good luck with the shopping!

Lots of Love

Blondey on a Mission xxx