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?
Teena says
Thanks for the great ideas. I especially love the photo ideas. It seems with digital, I don’t print pictures anymore, they just sit in my computer. I think I will gift myself some photo books this year 🙂
Andrea says
photo books are so much fun for kids too — and more durable than individual photos!
Angel Brasington says
Thanks Andrea! For all the great ideas and the reminder to keep Christ in Christmas AND don’t overwhelm ourselves. May your family have a safe and blessed Christmas season!
Candace Herrod says
Some great ideas! My inlaws are notoriously impossible to buy for – they usually return whatever we buy them so we usually get them wine, which is pretty boring and predictable. I think there are some great ideas on here that I could use for them. As always, THANKS Andrea!
Andrea says
you’re welcome — also, I dislike it when people return my gifts, so I feel you on that one!
Lea says
I am planning to give my two college age sons a museum membership in their college town. They have been there once and told me they were saving up to go again. I’m so excited to find a gift that gets them out of their room and away from the computer screen!
Andrea says
this is a great idea! Good job, mom!
Betsy Jones says
Edible gifts are high on my list of easy things to give… from sweets and wine as hostess gifts to plates of cookies for just about anyone, it’s an easy thing to do and something you don’t have to dust! My sons are now freshmen (HS and college) so they eat A LOT. And their toys are more expensive these days. I round out their gifts with fun foods — either novelty things or huge sizes of their favorites (Nutella from Sam’s Club? Mega boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Yes, please!). They always enjoy it!
Laura B says
These are great ideas. I’ve used food before. It was an affordable way to let my 4 kids give their teachers and coaches a sweet gift. We made homemade ornaments each year to add with it. And a tradition started. I hope my adult kids keep it up with the growing grandchildren how 🙂
Sandy says
Andrea…I ABSOLUTELY love your “peaceful” application to this season in all of your decisions for your family life! Great Blessings as you do what gives you the right focus for your life PS…Can you tell me what if any pointers on what you think or may have done with your Apple products in light of the recent breach in Apple security..specifically your computer? Thank you and prayers for a Beautiful,Peaceful Christmas and a Wonderful New Year‼️
Amy Dahm says
You covered it! Food and pictures are my favorite. Last year when we weren’t getting together I sent Snack boxes from Amazon to different families houses. They are fun way to have some goodies that you may not normally have and didn’t take up space.
Sarah says
Great gift ideas! Our family decided not to buy any presents (except for the kids under 18) and just focus in spending an evening with everyone together. It has really decreased the stress level!
Thanks for sharing.
Andrea says
love this — I’ve been trying to get my family to do this for years, but no such luck!
Mary says
Such helpful ideas!
julia says
These are all great! Depending on how close you are with the person, offering your time in either a social or helpful way is always well received. For example, when my aunt had young children, I wrapped all her Christmas gifts for her so she could spend time doing other things during the holidays. Going to lunch or coffee or even on a hike is an easy way to spend extra time with someone you care about. And if it’s not a situation where you would feel comfortable going to lunch, offering a coupon for a service like mowing the lawn or raking leaves or doing a spring clean up when the weather is warm again are also much appreciated. And it’s something kids can help with too!
Andrea says
great ideas! thanks for sharing!
Christina says
Have you heard of Glamour Girls? I just discovered them and we are making a mess of homemade Christmas cards to be sent to folks in nursing homes. It was some crazy number of how many of them get literally no visitors at all. Imagine that on top of the current situation?!?!
Happy 40th Dave!
Andrea says
ok… at first I thought you said “have you heard of the Gilmore Girls” and I was like “DUH!! I grew up with the Gilmore Girls” but then I realized you said “Glamour Girls”.
And yes, our church delivers Christmas cards to dozens of folks in nursing homes — it really brightens their day/week/holiday season!
Karynz says
I always put batteries on my list for my favorite electronic items, such as flickering candles, holiday light up trees and such. Soap is great as well, especially L’Occitaine Shea soap, the smell is intoxicating and it is a luxurious treat. The gift sets of favorit toiletries or cosmetics get used and are a surprise. Thanks for your suggestions, Andrea. I always learn something from you!
Andrea says
my parents always give us batteries for all the toys/books/games they give our kids that need them! it’s appreciated!
Patricia Lenhart says
GReat gift ideas. Love Bend Soap. Thanks for introducing me to it. It’s a wonderful gift.
Abbie says
Love the hand-written note idea! Someone did that for me a long time ago and i loved it! I had forgotten about that until now, but will definitely be using this idea!
Jennell says
Thank you for these simple gift ideas. I may need to use a few of them for my list this year.
Amy Doyle says
Thanks for the subscriber link to your printables library. I am a big checklist-user and you have given me super-useful ones. Merry Christmas!
Laurie says
Never underestimate the power of cash and gift cards. Our children are in their 20s and 30s and 2 live out of town. Furnishing their own spaces is expensive! I also wrap a small kitchen gift – utensils, towels etc – for them to open. For my mom I purchase a gift card from her favorite store in the amount of her age and then take her shopping to spend it.
Andrea says
amen — but they DON’T have everything so it’s totally easy to just give them cash! Good for you, mom!
Allison says
Thanks for these ideas! I have a few that are super tough and I’ll try a couple new ideas this year.
Sue says
We’ve been trying to do more experience based gifts for those who are hard to buy for. A meal together or a visit to a park together. Especially those far away that we don’t see as often.
Caroline says
I love these ideas! A favorite gift of ours was receiving a special ground coffee subscription. We looked forward to this each month and it was something we would not have purchased for ourselves!
Karen Rueger says
Thanks for this list! This year I’m giving homemade vanilla extract. It takes 6+ months of sitting in the cabinet, but I thought ahead! Easy to make!
Andrea says
good to know — I’ll get started on my vanilla this summer so it’s ready next year!
Janice says
Love your ideas to simplify gift giving and life in general. Pictures of my sweet grandbabies or restaurant gift cards are some of my favorites gifts as I go through and downsize the “stuff” in our home.
Holly R Sanford says
Yes! Big fan of gifting subscriptions. I generally get my kids yearly subscriptions for their Playstation gaming. My mother loves British television so the last two years I’ve gifted her annual subscriptions to Acorn and Britbox, which are streaming services for British television shows and movies.
Gina says
Love all these ideas!
kathy says
What wonderful ideas! I have followed your blog for a long time and you always inspire me to keep on working to declutter every day makes it manageable. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Jamie says
Love these ideas! Thank you for the printables! I have my binder all done thanks to you. It gives me such peace of mind if something were to happen. Merry Christmas!
Debra N. says
Thank you, Andrea. Wonderful gift ideas! Merry Christmas to you and your family. Love, Debra (Overland Park, Kansas City metro)
Ra Thompson says
I enjoy your practical ideas for ALL occasions..:)
I def do NOT need more clutter…come visit is good enough for ME!..
The babies are growing so FAST!…I’ve been a faithful follower since
Norah no sleep days…what a beautiful girl she is growing to be!…And Clara makes me smile just to look at her pictures…and the little men in your family and their unique personalities are so much fun to read about…
Cathy Wehrman says
I love all the clutter free gift ideas! I’m looking to decluttering my life. I’ve seen what “stuff” has done to my parents life first hand after the passing of my Mom, and I don’t want that for my kids.
Andrea says
good for you — your children will appreciate this!
Cathy Wehrman says
I love the “clutter free” gift ideas! I already gift digital photo books of the grandkids to their parents of pictures I took of the kids( I once watched all 4 grandkids- before they started school) now that they’re all in school I don’t have as many, but always enough to make a book! I like the idea of gifting Amazon Prime, Netflix etc. – I may have solved our grown kids Christmas gift. Love your blog-it’s helping me declutter! It’s a work in progress.
Janet B says
These are great ideas! I love giving gifts that do not add clutter to a home. I know I don’t need more stuff! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
Missy says
Love all your ideas! I can honestly say I have utilized several of them in the past, and the food gifts, especially, are greatly appreciated!
Ashley says
Thanks for the ideas! Always love your blog for inspiration.
Hera says
You always have really great ideas. I really like the plain paper used for wrapping gifts and having the kids decorate it. I always had my kids hand write thank you notes. They are grown now. If my kids were giving gifts to classmates I would use a photo I had of my kids with their classmates and scan it and make a card with it so that it was more personal. I only have 2 kids, but I am impressed with your ideas & organization with 4 kids!! After reading one of your posts I always say, “why didn’t I think of that”? Great job, Andrea.
Andrea says
haha — I LOVE the idea of creating a card with the kids pictures on it. Nora has a friend’s birthday party next week — maybe we’ll need to do this!
Lisa says
I’ve enjoyed magazine subscriptions as Christmas gifts for kids to enjoy all year and to keep them reading for fun!
Shirley Lauzon says
I enjoy reading your articles about making life more simple and decluttering. Thank you and Merry Christmas !
Lisa says
Over the last few years we have cut way back, we only do about 1/4 of what we used to do. I think sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves to make things perfect but that’s not what the kids remembers, it’s the little things we make or do that they remember the most.
Thank you for all your thoughts and ideas!!
Janis says
Thank you for your great ideas….always an inspiration!
Blessings to you and your beautiful family.
Kim says
I have definitely cut way back this year but it’s been a relief to not deal with all the things I have cut back on. I doubt anybody else will even notice a difference.
I think sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves to make things perfect but that’s not what everyone else remembers, it’s the memories we make that they will remember.
Thank you for the great ideas!!
Megan says
These are great ideas! Last year we dropped off Christmas cookies and bags of ground coffee on friends porches. It was fun to spread a little joy that way. Planning to do mint brownies this year! Thank you for everything you share on your blog.