It's a bit early to be thinking about gift giving for the holidays, however a good gift takes time to plan out and budget for so the earlier the better in my opinion! Also, people have birthdays all year round so these could easily be applied to a birthday, special occasion, etc as well. Here are links to items mentioned in my gift guide as well as a few more ideas, but read on for more specific ideas!
Gifts for the person who doesn’t want another “thing”
Pay for a trip to the spa or salon (sauna/pool spa, nice massage, hair treatment, etc)
Subscription to something useful like paper towels/toilet paper/home products
Some great brands that offer this are: Reel, Who Gives A Crap, Branch Basics, Mighty Nest and more
Plan a fun day trip to their favorite spots around town (this is a great option for your friend who likes adventuring, but always says "idk or idc" to what they wanna do lol
Cooking class or art class (maybe ceramics or glass blowing or something they’ve shown interest in)
If you drink, wine tasting could be fun!
Tickets to comedy show or a concert
Membership to Book of the Month Club or Audible/etc
A staycation at a really fun hotel, inn, or airbnb that has been on their wishlist
I know this one isn't very personal, but money towards a house/trip/rent/basic living is likely quite appreciated by many these days
Thrift basket goodies
One of my favorite gifts for people who are open to or encourage second hand gifting, is to find a beautiful wicker basket and fill it with some practical or beautiful second hand goodies. You can also throw in a new candle, wine, or cookie mix/etc to fully pull together the gift basket.
Thrift basket goodies
If the person you're gifting loves experiences, especially getting away to a fun hotel or inn, here are a few great ones based on some spots I've been to this year:
Le Petit Pali (I've been to the San Diego one, but they so many locations, all so beautiful!)
Sparrows Lodge (I have a blog post up detailing my stay!)
Mendocino Grove (I went this past fall and it was so gorgeous, really recommend going if you can! Details for things to do in the area and my visit to the campsite are here)
Perfume
Perfume can be such a wonderful gift! Every time that person uses the scent they will likely think of you which can be super romantic. Here are a few of my favorites from over the years.
Candles
If the person you're gifting loves candles, then gifting a candle always feels like a no brainer. It's something that having a stock pile of is always welcomed in my house and also something that is very re-giftable if you don't like the scent. If you don't want to gift a candle with a scent, I'd recommend finding a beautiful beeswax candle at a local shop near you (and you can pair it with some local honey or a thrifted or handmade candle sconce to really pull the gift together). Some of my favorite candles are linked here.
Dinner party/host gift
A classic gift, especially if you're just going to a dinner or small gathering, would be to bring a bottle of wine (or mocktail mix/etc). To jazz it up a little you can thrift a silk scarf and tie it around the bottle wrapped with a festive bow or pair it with a box of chocolates or flowers.
If you're not sure what type of gift you want to get someone, but know what kind of person they are, maybe the below categories can be helpful:
The one who stays cozy:We all know (or are) the person who likes to stay in PJs or loungewear up until the very last moment they have to leave the house (if they leave the house) because to them comfort is queen. They are the ones who think a perfect Sunday is spent drinking too much coffee in bed, rewatching favorite movies or starting a new book. The one who stays cozy chooses sweaters > strapy dresses and always has a candle ready to be lit. The mug shelf is overflowing (but always welcomes just onnneeee more mug), has a linen closet with the coziest fabrics, and can always be seen at home with either socks and slippers. If “comfy n cozy” comes to mind when you’re thinking of the person you’re gifting, you’ll be able to find something for them within this gift guide.
The host: for the one who loves to bring people together, decorate for dinner parties, and make the home look glittery for all occasions. In this portion of the gift guide you’ll find timeless pieces that can be used over and over again for years to come. These pieces can be used together, alone, and interchangeably. Whether the host in your life (which can be yourself too) loves to share a glass of wine, look though coffee table books for inspiration, make a full on 3 course dinner, or all of the above, you can find some goodies (or inspo for shopping secondhand!!) to help excite and get the job done in this gift guide.
The gardener: dropping 12/02
The one who loves a spa day: dropping 12/09
Hopefully this is helpful, and if you're still stuck, I recommend just asking the person "have you had your eye on anything you've wanted to get yourself lately but haven't felt like spending the money on yourself?" You can also give them a budget limit, so something like, "I'd really love to give you a gift that you're actually going to love and use rather than junk that just piles up and is never appreciated and feels more like a burden to hang onto. Is there anything you've had your eye on that's under $___insert your budget__ that you'd like to receive this year?" Sure, that might take away the surprise element, but at least you'll know they will absolutely love it!
Happy gifting & happy holidays,
Rose
Comments