The 2024 Christmas rush, filled with equal amounts of stress and happiness, is officially in full swing. If you spent your Black Friday “gift shopping,” but surprisingly only returned home with items for yourself, don’t panic. Below is a gift guide to help you purchase gifts for every type of person on your list.
The gym queen:
If there is a girl on your list who loves fitness and wellness, keep reading. If you’re willing to splurge, buy her a pack of pilates or yoga classes at a local studio or gym. For more moderate items, I’m sure your gym queen would love a new pair of sneakers, a cute workout set, or stylish fitness watch band. If you’re buying on a budget, browse Amazon for adorable and affordable yoga mats, resistance bands, or weightlifting straps.
The “dude”:
Dads, grandpas, brothers, boyfriends, and guy best friends, this one’s for you. Most dudes are simple creatures, meaning they already own pretty much everything they need. This is why many people default to buying their dudes underwear and socks – because they are guaranteed to actually use these items as opposed to the more creative gifts we spend hours deciding on. But, this year, we will not default to undergarments. This year, we will give them a gift they are sure to never forget.
I noticed that the dudes in my life tend to appreciate experiences more than physical presents. So, buying tickets to a game for their favorite sports team, the movies, a concert for their favorite band, or what the heck, a trampoline park, will definitely put a smile on your dude’s face. The best part about this gift is that it is an experience you can share together, cultivating life-long memories of joy, happiness, and the Christmas season – yay!
Consumerism’s final boss:
We all know someone who owns it all, and if they don’t, they definitely already added it to cart themselves. Which begs the question, what do I buy for someone who already has everything? The answer is buying them something that is not available on every influencers’ Amazon storefronts. Finding customizable gifts is key to getting your lovable overconsumer something that they definitely didn’t purchase on their own.
Little Words Project, an amazing jewelry brand all about spreading kindness through little words, offers a number of customizable bracelet options. Not only can you choose the pattern of the piece, but you can choose a word or short phrase to add onto the bracelet, making this gift extra special and heartwarming. If you want to take it a step further, you can actually go to one of Little Word’s storefronts (there is one right in Pier Village) and make the bracelet yourself. Once again, this adds an additional level of care and thoughtfulness that your consumer is sure to appreciate much more than a fast fashion item wrapped in a beaten up cardboard box.
If you don’t want to go the jewelry route, you can pretty much customize anything these days, from cutting boards to key chains. So, do your research and spend a little time creating the perfect gift for your obsessive purchaser.
The picky one:
We all know that person who is picky about food, fashion, and everything in between. So, let’s bring it back to basics for this one. A simple white or black tee, long sleeve, or tank top is a staple for every closet, so one of these items is a safe bet for your picky princess. If you want to buy this individual a jewelry item, a dainty gold or silver chain necklace is perfect. Overall, just remember to keep it simple and stick to staple items that pretty much everyone needs. And, when in doubt, gift card it out.
Debbie the downer:
Does anyone else have that one person on their list that they feel like they can never please? Well, we are going to turn their holiday around this year by not defaulting to everyone’s (least) favorite candle and fruitcake combo. For this individual, think luxury on a budget. Investing in a silk pair of pj’s or sleep mask should put a smile on your Debbie’s face. A cashmere scarf, super comfy socks, or an extremely fluffy blanket are also great options.
The music lover:
The music lover on your list probably already owns three pairs of headphones and too many music site subscriptions, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get them an awesome gift that revolves around their favorite thing in the world. Vinyl records are super in right now, which not only means it will probably be easy for you to buy an actual vinyl, but there are vinyl inspired items hitting the shelves everywhere. Vinyl shaped coasters, wall art, and desk plaques are all the rage and some can even be personalized to feature special songs or artists. Speaking of custom plaques, Amazon also sells a version of these where you can customize a Spotify code onto the plaque. So, when your music lover receives this gift, they can scan the code and their phone will start playing whatever song you chose. This gift is so meaningful and unique; you may even give your music lover a new favorite song!
The book lover:
I know you may be tired of always getting the bookworm in your life the same gift for every occasion – a book. So, instead of a book, here are some other ideas that he or she will appreciate just as much as a good story. If your book lover enjoys displaying their collection, consider getting them a book end or book nook inspired from their favorite series. Etsy has tons of handcrafted, niche pieces that encapsulate the essence of “Harry Potter,” “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” and more. Another great idea is giving gifts to your reader that make diving into a good book an experience. Buy a pretty mug, a calming herbal tea mix, and a lush face mask to create a bundle of joy for your loved one to use during their next read-a-thon. Lastly, if you know that this person is a highly active member of Goodreads, think about buying them a pre-made book log or reading journal. These can be super fun, featuring five star scales and sections to input summaries, reviews, and recommendations. Check out Target, Papier, and Amazon for some great deals.
“I don’t want anything”:
“I don’t need anything,” but yes, you do. Most people will say this because they don’t like clutter or unnecessary items. So, my best advice is getting this person something that they will eventually throw away, not because it’s taking up space, but because it’s used to its fullest potential. Rather than buying Ms. I Need Nothing a piece of clothing or jewelry, consider buying a bottle of wine, a luxurious body lotion, or cute lip balm. Mr. I Need Nothing would also surely appreciate a fancy cologne, a flavorful hot sauce, or a bottle of whiskey.
Your club rat bestie:
We love our friends whose motto in life is “sleep when you’re dead.” For the fun-seeking, party-goer on your list, consider purchasing a personalized hangover kit. First, hydration is essential; pick out a cute water bottle or cup, or, throw in some liquid IV for a cheaper option. Next, add in a much-needed form of skincare; an ice roller, cooling under eye patches, or some makeup wipes will do the trick. Lastly, help your bestie recharge with a gift card to their favorite fast food restaurant (the best cure to all hangovers, obviously).
The chef:
Please do not get the exquisite cook in your family an apron with a cheesy saying on it this year – you’re better than that. Start the chef’s Lenox Spice Village collection (and obsession) this holiday season by purchasing a few of these rare and unique spice jars. Or, peep Amazon for a bunch of cool gadgets your chef is sure to appreciate; from bluetooth heat thermometers to customizable oven mitts, you have no excuse to be uncreative this year. Other fun gift ideas include a portable neck fan for the grill master, “From Crook to Cook,” Snoop Dogg’s recipe book, and electric salt and pepper grinders.
Hopefully this list gave you a little inspiration on what to buy for your friends and family this holiday season. “The Outlook” staff wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
