Do you have a few hard-to-buy-for people on your list this year? You know… the ones who have everything, need nothing, and say “don’t get me anything” but you know you need to get them something.
Yeah, I thought so!
Thankfully, I have a short list of simple gift ideas I pull from whenever I’m unsure what to give to someone who has everything.
If you’re struggling with a few gifts yet, pull some ideas from my list below (and please share your gift ideas in the comments.)
1. Food
Assuming the person does not have food allergies, food can be a great gift option for those hard-to-buy-for people on your list.
Here are a few ideas to get you thinking (there are hundreds more though!)
- Homemade bread (whole grain or quick bread)
- Bars, fudge, or truffles in a cute gift box
- Christmas cookies
- A dry brownie or cookie mix (with instructions to make the goodies)
- Home-canned jams, tomatoes, applesauce, etc.
- Homemade hot chocolate mix
- Cone bags filled with popcorn, candy, or trailmix (here are some exampes)
- Homemade (or storebought) cheesecake — or another cake or pie they really enjoy
- Gourmet coffee or tea (skip the mug!)
- A bar of nice chocolate with a homemade wrapper (look up ideas on Pinterest)
- A big bucket of all their favorite snacks, candies, and treats (great for kids!)
- A homemade meal (contact them ahead of time to arrange this)
- Fancy meats, cheeses, and crackers
- A favorite wine, craft beer, or other favorite beverage (our kids love getting Gatorade)
- A “fruit bouquet” — like something from Edible Arrangements (or try making your own).
NOTE: You could pair your homemade goodies with a gift card to their favorite restaurant or grocery store to increase the value.
The important thing with giving food gifts is that you actually think about what types of food your recipient enjoys. Don’t just throw some leftovers from your freezer or pantry together at the last minute.
2. Cleaning & Personal Care Products
I often use this option if I know the person well enough and think they would be happy to receive cleaning products or personal care products.
Not only are these types of gifts non-perishable (so I can prepare them in advance) and consumable (not cluttery), they can also be tailored to fit almost any preference and budget.
Here are a few examples I’ve used recently:
A few years ago, I gave the women on my list a container of Method dish soap and a fun bamboo kitchen scrubber. It was a cute set, it was fairly frugal to put together, and since many of the recipients were newlyweds and new homeowners, it was also extremely useful and practical.
I love gifting a clothes basket filled with cleaning supplies and household staples for wedding shower gifts (see examples in this post).
I also regularly gift bars of Bend soap with a gift card on the back (they are the PERFECT size to “hide” a gift card!
If I know a friend, relative, or teacher really likes a particular scent, brand, or product, I’ll keep an eye out for good deals throughout the year and stock up so I can throw together a quick, yet thoughtful gift any time of the year.
3. Photo Gifts
Mugs, bags, t-shirts, mousepads, wood, metal, plastic, paper — you name it, you can probably get a photo printed on it and gift it to that special someone who needs absolutely nothing but would love another cute photo of your kids, your pets, or even a beautiful sunset.
We often give photo calendars or magnets to grandparents and great-grandparents. Photo ornaments are also a fun idea and they can be packed away with the Christmas decorations.
Of course, some of these require a bit of computer knowledge and a week or so of advance notice to get them printed and shipped, but they are one-of-a-kind!
You might also consider doing something like Storyworth with a close friend or relative, or giving a faraway relative a digital picture frame like Skylight, so you can regularly upload more pictures from afar.
And of course, you know I love digital photo book gifts!
4. A Subscription
From a clutter-free standpoint, I’m a big fan of subscriptions (especially digital subscriptions like Amazon Prime, Kindle Unlimited, Netflix, etc.)
Magazines and newspapers are good too (our kids love these) and also things like a membership to the local zoo, a trampoline park, a theater, a sports team, or even Costco.
You could also gift a subscription to a Bible reading program (like She Reads Truth or the Dwell App), a photo editing program (like PicMonkey), a fitness program (like Every Mother), a food-of-the-month club, a membership to a nail polish club, or even a Craft club!
There are hundreds of subscription and membership-type gifts that are SO simple to sign up for and a really great gift option for people who already have everything.
5. A hand-written note.
Our kids enjoy making cards and pictures for many elderly people in our life — we mail them out regularly, and more often than not, the kids get another letter or a phone call from the recipient!
I’m confident most adults (and even college students) would appreciate this simple gift idea… you could even pair your letter with custom stationery or a cute pack of note cards.
Here are a few prompts if you’re not sure what to write about:
- something you appreciate about the other person
- a few reasons you are thankful for them in your life
- a memorable event or fun story from your shared past
- something you look forward to doing with this person the next time you’re together
- a few of your favorite things about this person
- a story of how they have impacted your life (possibly even without knowing it).
With a little bit of thought, I’m confident you can come up with a fantastic gift for all the hard-to-buy-for people on your list.
Still looking for MORE gift ideas? Try some of these clutter-free gifts for all ages and all budgets.
What are YOUR favorite simple gift ideas for the people who already have everything?
Kelly says
Thanks Andrea for the great list! I really love all your giftable food ideas and the wrapping paper suggestion is genius!
Love your emails and blog, thanks for sharing.
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Andrea says
you’re welcome, Kelly!
Kelly says
🙂 thanks!
Erin says
Yes! My in-laws are hard so every yeary FIL gets sardines and crackers (♀️) and MIL gets a photo calendar. Usable and they haven’t complained about it.
Andrea says
haha — Dave’s dad is always peanuts + M&M’s! Not sure he would go for sardines and crackers — but it’s the same idea!
Lauren Dekker says
I love practical gifts or “consumable” gifts like their special coffee or a gym membership! Made your 4 layer fudge this weekend, 6 years running! Yum!
Also, thanks for always answering my emails and questions! Merry Christmas!
Andrea says
I love that a “gym membership” and my “4-layer fudge” made it into the same comment LOL!
That fudge is the best — and eating to much of it will certainly warrant a gym membership!
Diane Vasti says
I love these suggestions. One year, I decided to do a basket theme for everyone on my gift list. I tailored it to there specifics likes (coffee, tea, spa, hot chocolate, movies, etc). I went to BJs to pick up bulk packs of things that could be divided among the baskets to use as fillers. I also placed a small “main” gift inside the basket of something I knew the recipient wanted or needed (I keep a list of hints throughout the year). I used inexpensive baskets or containers I collected or purchased throughout the year. This was such a hit, and so easy and fun for me to put together! Warning: you need space to store all these baskets before giving!
Andrea says
this is perfect — thanks for sharing this fun idea!
Jill says
Such great tips and ideas! Thank you for sharing! Love the idea of something practical like the soap and scrubber! Merry Christmas to you and your family! ❤️
Heather Veldman says
Great ideas! Thanks!
Kim Church says
Those are great ideas!
Cheryl Sexton says
Love all these ideas! I plan on using several of these for this Christmas and future holidays.
Merry Christmas to you and your Family!!
Joy says
Love the wrapping paper tip! Thanks for another great year of helpful information! Merry Christmas
Jess says
Thanks for these ideas! For teacher gifts this year I bought a few items and the kids will choose one or two for each person they would like to gift: $10 Tim Horton’s gift cards, a medium pine cone shaped bees wax candle, a jar of local honey, salad topper made by a local lady, Lindt dark chocolate or Lindt balls.
Andrea says
perfect teacher’s gifts!
Laura says
I love giving consumable gifts in general, but especially to people who already have everything they need or want. Other subscription/experience gifts I’ve given are things like state park passes, money to pay for a fishing license, playground passes, etc.
Beth K says
Love all these ideas. I also like pairing the ideas with gifts that can be given every year, which allows me to know that the recipient likes the gift, and I don’t have to spend time stressing about what to buy. For my dad this means a magazine subscription and for my mom a photo calendar.
Debra Schramm says
We have a local apiary that has fabulous honey so I like to give that consumable gift!
Holly says
I got my husband a 6-month subscription to Universal Yums, a monthly box full of snacks and food from another country. He loves to travel (and eat!), and we don’t get to travel internationally much these days, so I hope he will enjoy this gift. He truly is someone who doesn’t “need” anything, so he’s so hard to shop for!
Andrea says
what a great idea! There’s literally a subscription box for everything these days 🙂
Pamela says
I needed this post, thank you! My in-laws are so hard to shop for.
Sue King says
I love the digital photo frame idea – we are doing one for my mom this year. My kids are in different parts of the world and can upload photos to it directly, which is genius!
Tagging onto the subscription idea, many podcasts and music services offer an “ad-free” version as a subscription, which is a great gift for those who are regular listeners.
Happy Holidays!
Andrea says
great idea with the podcasts!
Lana says
Great ideas, Andrea! Also, happy birthday to Dave!
Kathi says
I love the idea of simplifying; especially during the holiday season
Sarah says
Good ideas! I’m inspired to make a big batch of hot cocoa mix with my 4- and 2-year-olds and package it up for all their aunts and uncles.
Jenny says
Thank you for all the great gift ideas. Subscriptions and experiences (zoo passes, tickets for events, etc.) are some of my favorite ideas for the people who have everything, and bonus, they don’t take up any space!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Rita Bryant says
I am leaving a comment to enter your give away!
Love your blog and read it every time it comes out.
Carrie says
Such great ideas…Thank you! I am making muslin string bags for storing produce this year as gifts. My sil uses these and her salads always taste sooooo fresh. Merry Christmas!
Andrea says
what a great idea! so creative AND useful!
Sue says
This is a brilliant idea!
Debra Shelton says
Excellent ideas Andrea! Love all your info and hope you and yours have a beautiful Christmas!
Chris says
All of these ideas are excellent. My favorite is the handwritten note. Last year my adult son wrote a note to my husband, his step-father, telling him how important my husband to him and how thankful he is for him in both our lives. My husband, age 77, had tears in his eyes as he read the note. We have it framed and hung in our home.
A few kind, heartfelt words last a lifetime and are probably one of the greatest gifts to share anytime! Merry Christmas! Thank you for your time in sharing your heart, your ideas, and your family with us.
Andrea says
this is so wonderful — thanks for sharing.
Penny Doolin says
I make candy trays for the staff at my church and small bags of candy for my coworkers. Thank you for your emails every week. I look forward to them. Hope your family has a very Merry Christmas!
Penny Doolin
Korynn J says
I love these ideas! My parents always hate if we spend money on them for Christmas, so it has become our tradition to give my Dad either a favorite candy car or a fancy beer he wouldn’t buy himself, and I get pictures from my brothers, and I make my mom a calendar for the following year that has all pictures of the kids and grandkids on it. It is so easy and they love it!
Lori Green says
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for the great gift ideas. I especially love the digital photo frame. I didn’t know about those. I’ve been following you now for years and so glad I found you. You are an inspiration. I don’t usually comment but I’m entering everything lately:) God Bless you and your family.
Andrea says
Hello Lori! Thanks for your comment and your long-time readership! The digital frames are a great gift idea 🙂
Ann Tyler says
I love the idea of using plain paper and decorating it for wrapping presents. I don’t know why I’ve never thought of this myself. So many useful ideas on your blog. Thank you. Ann
Ashley says
I love your list! I would actually say that food gifts would be extra appreciated by those with allergies if you understand and can accommodate them. Homemade vanilla extract is another great, simple food gift. And thank you for saying to leave out the mug for a cocoa/coffee gift. It’s a cute way to package things but my goodness I get tired of cleaning out that cupboard and deciding which ones to donate
Completely unrelated, but my Josie has the same jammies that Clara is wearing in the photo on this post ❤️ Merry Christmas Dekker family!
Andrea says
I almost thought about making homemade vanilla this year, but didn’t. Maybe next year.
Also, did I miss the fact that you had a girl? Sorry if I already knew this, but I feel like it was all boys for you forever — congrats!
This picture of Clara was 2 years ago — but those are stinkin’ cute jammies!
Ashley says
I actually have girl, boy, girl Still praying for one more boy! Homemade vanilla is so easy, just takes a bit of planning so it has time to steep
Carol Davis says
One of my favorite gifts received was 20 years ago from my sister in law. She put white fudge covered Oreos in a dollar store clear snowman jar and tied a red ribbon on it. Simple, and I loved it.
Marcia C. says
Some great ideas!
Anita says
Thank you! I love these ideas.
Suzanne says
Another inexpensive but beautiful gift is homemade personalized gift certificates to be redeemed as needed, such as delivery of your specialty homemade dessert, spring cleanup of a perennial garden, a morning of running errands, etc.
Andrea says
great ideas!
Marcia says
May you and your family have a blessed Christmas season!
Roxie says
Such good ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Elaine Waters says
Andrea, my year/month/week/day has been so very stressful/weird/challenging/depressing….. I apppreciate your blog and the opportunity to stop, breathe and let go a little. I am a high school teacher and the solo caregiver for my mother who has dementia and poor health. Thanks for the simple tips and advice that help our family get through these challenging times intact.
Andrea says
hang in there Elaine! you’re doing good work, and making a difference for so many.
Samantha says
Love the food gift idea! This is something I like receiving too. Will definitely be doing this for grandparents this year who are very hard to buy for! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Shannon Clark says
I love this list of gifts. I used to be the queen of gift giving but since having a child, life is so much busier and my brain is much more scrambled, that I’m been trying to “put down” and go simpler.
Andrea says
ah yes — having little ones around during the holidays is fun, but often zaps our energy and our coherent thought processes! just keep it simple this year — you’ll be happier for it!
Rhonda says
these are wonderful ideas – we have also been paring down our Christmas plans but still want to let our loved ones know that we are thinking about them!
Amy B says
My in laws love photo gifts if the grandkids! We also got them revel items this year as they are retiring and go on lots of mission trips!