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?
Megan says
I am in the throes of the first trimester coupled with mild HG and I feel you with a “simpler” Christmas this year. I did do Christmas cards (mostly because I had them printed before I was so sick) and we only did 1/3 of the decorating we normally do. And the kids are still loving it! I also loved “The Best Christmas Pagent Ever” and will have to read that to my kids. Thank you for suggesting it!
Barb says
I “hear” you on the Christmas cards. I was debating about opting out this year also since they are getting soooo expensive, but decided to do a New Year’s card instead; who doesn’t enjoy a card after the holidays? :)) Always enjoy reading your posts, you have so much insight and knowledge about life in general. Keep on writing!
Andrea says
we like doing New Years cards too! Maybe we’ll end up doing that this year too 🙂
Kimberly says
Thanks for all the great simple ideas! Wine is our go to for this year! Merry Christmas!
Sandy says
Love the gift ideas for those that have “everything”. Wishing you and your lovely family a blessed holiday season! Merry Christmas!
Angie says
Merry Christmas!!!
Kim N says
Photo gifts are my favorite to give to family. We did Storyworth one year for our parents and it was great!
Terri says
Wonderful ideas! This year I am doing gift baskets filled with each of the recipients favorite snack items such as hot cocoa, pistachios, beef jerky, pretzel bites, etc. I also added in gift cards to some small, local businesses such as a local mom and pop coffee shop and an ice cream shop. Thanks Andrea, for your content. I look forward each week to your practical and down-to-earth emails/blog.
Andrea says
sounds like a great idea Terri!
Holly says
Thanks, Andrea, for the good ideas for gifts! I always struggle with gift giving for a few folks in my life and your list gave me some new ideas.
Tami Folkert says
Your ideas encourage me towards simplicity! And emphasize the value of energy, time, money & family values! Thank you!
Mary Werkowski says
I love these ideas. We try to gift an experience. In ore COVID times it usually meant a nice dinner and a play. I personally love to put together a shelf care gift that includes face masks and lotions and the like.
Kloe says
Great ideas!
Debra N says
Oh, my! Who would not like to receive a food gift of homemade fudge? I am looking forward to trying your recipe, Andrea!
https://andreadekker.com/4-layer-fudge/
Andrea says
it’s the bet fudge — a little time-consuming to make, but EVERYONE loves it!
Miranda says
My favorite is to give a gift card to their favorite restaurant.
Amanda says
Thanks for all the great ideas. The gift wrap idea, totally a winner!!! Thanks so much. I’m always interested in ways to simplify!
Marcy Nelson says
I love these ideas. When my husband asked what I wanted for Christmas I said
“Chocolate and hand lotion!”. And these are exactly what my Grandmother used to ask for.
Sarah Weyers says
Thank you for the great ideas! Never thought about the subscription ideas!!
Andrea says
subscriptions are great gifts — especially b/c you can just renew them the following year if the recipient really enjoys it!
ane' says
You’ve got some really good gift ideas for all of us with too much stuff already!
Emily says
Thanks for all the helpful tips. I love simplifying everything that I can
Janelle says
Definitely some good ideas. For my teenage nephews, I give them money. They like to receive that and it’s easy for me! I am definitely trying to think about what I want to give the grandparents – the kids are definitely going to make something for them! They definitely like the handmade gifts!
Cherry Blattert says
Thank you for sharing these helpful ideas! I will be giving a subscription. The food one sounds like a great plan too.
sheryl says
Believe it or not, what caught my eye were the twine wrapped letters !
My mom died this summer and I have tons of old letters and postcards. I will pick a few ( ? )
and bundle them for display !!!!
Thanks for your gift and food ideas !!!
Andrea says
yes, I love old letters! The letters in my picture are from my Great Grandpa, written to my Great-Grandma from WWII
Lisa says
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Lynn A. says
Happy 40th to Dave and Happy 10th to Nora!!!
Love these simple ideas. I love giving Hickory Farms sets as gifts because you never know when you need some quick appetizers for unexpected company.
Sarah says
Such fun ideas! Hoping to use them this Christmas
Kara says
Hi!
Thanks so much for the simple bacon wrapped sausage recipe. We did a trial run last night and everyone approved. I’ll make them again for sure and probably for Christmas as well!
Merry Christmas!
Andrea says
yes, we LOVE that recipe too — SO easy 🙂
Nena Scheidecker says
These are super! I like to give gift cards for their favorite place esp if they never shop for themselves.
or money in a creative box
Kathy Coy says
I love to give food items as well. One really easy one is to melt chocolate, stir in peanuts, and drop on waxed paper to cool. People love them and think they are complicated to make!
Steph Mackey says
Happy 40th Birthday, Dave!
Lindsey says
Thanks for the ideas! One year our family compiled a slideshow for a relative. We made recordings of friends and family members sharing favorite memories and qualities they admire about that person then had that person “open” the Christmas gift with us to watch together.
Andrea says
So fun! We did this for our siblings weddings 🙂
Annaleah says
I love food ideas! As a mininalist, consumables are definitely a good gift if you don’t have a specific idea! I also love giving gift boxes, with a variety of small useful gifts; cute socks, treats, lip balm, lotion, candles, etc. It feels like lots of things, but they are all useful and usually not clutter!
Wendy Evans says
I also like to give evergreen table top arrangement, or mini tree in cute pot if they celebrate Christmas, always adds festive cheer and clutter free once it’s done. Also, a car detailing gift certificate is good too. Everyone loves that (good group gift too as can be expensive)
Andrea says
I love the car detailing gift certificate — actually, I’d like that this year!
Meghan says
No clutter gift idea – gift card for a vehicle detailing. I scheduled one for my husband that is with a mobile detailing business that will come out to his work location. Even in the cold winter months, they will detail the interior in his office parking lot.
Jenni says
I love asking relatives to gift subscriptions for our kids as well – in the past we did a 3 month trampoline park subscription and it was just enough to keep the kids busy during the winter months!
Meghan says
I just started reading “The Worst Christmas Pageant Ever” to my 6 year old daughter last night! I’m excited! I think I read it when I was a kid, but I don’t remember anything about the book.
Kim says
Great ideas, just when I was running out of gift ideas. Thank you
Rebecca G says
Food! I agree wholeheartedly! The gift I most look forward to is the meat/cheese box I ask for every year – it is something I would feel silly buying for myself. Plus it is g-o-n-e when we are finished eating it. No storing anything or clean up. (Assuming I can get my kids to part with the sturdy box or basket. Ha!)
Mary Carrico says
Have been wanting to be more festive. Have also been wanting to do some baking. So I think next year I’ll send a batch of cookies for my siblings birthdays (6 siblings)
Tracy Fluri says
Wow! These are all great ideas, thank you!
Julie says
Great ideas!
Debbie says
Something that I thought of buying for my sisters and sister-in-law this year are items for self-care. They’re nothing extravagant at all. Most of them I bought from Amazon. Turbie twist hair towel, makeup removal cleansing cloth, full face facial mask sheets, and one or two makeup items. I love using craft paper for wrapping all gifts. It’s so fun and a great creative outlet.
Lynne Tretow says
So many great ideas!! I love gifting experiences especially ones I can enjoy with the recipient.