How to Find the Perfect Gift
It’s time for the shopping season to begin!
Full disclosure—I don’t love Christmas shopping. When the shops are super crowded, it takes ages to find a park and there is busyness and noise everywhere, I feel stressed out. And, as a minimalist, I don’t value buying heaps of extra stuff just for the sake of having a big pile of gifts under the tree on Christmas morning.
But, giving gifts is a wonderful way of showing the people I love most how much they mean to me. So, shopping I will go. But, I want to make it as meaningful as possible.
Finding the perfect gift can be difficult, and we don’t want to waste money buying gifts that aren’t appreciated and loved. With a little thought and planning, you can find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
Ask yourself these questions to help find the perfect gift every time.
The first big question:
What is their love language?
Give a gift that fits the love language of the recipient and they will feel loved, and that is really what gift-giving is all about.
Gifts
For people whose love language is giving gifts, it is important to give something thoughtful. Avoid gift vouchers and consumables. Give something meaningful to them. The questions later in this post will help.
Acts of Service
Give the gift of your service. Think about what needs to be done and how you can help them.
Mow their lawn
Clean their windows
Wash their car
Bathe their dog
Cook a meal
Babysit the children
Words of Affirmation
This is my love language! We love words! For this person, choosing the card may be more important than the gift itself. Use your gift to tell this person how much you mean to them, things you love about them and how much you appreciate them.
Books
Journal
These Bible Verse packs
Meaningful artwork
Physical Touch
Give tactile gifts—things that feel lovely to touch.
Soft socks
Textured throw or cushion
Silk scarf
A voucher for a massage
And a big hug
Quality Time
Give the gift of experiences you can share together, enjoy each other’s company and create memories that will last forever.
A trip to the beach
A day at the zoo
Take them out for a meal
Go on a picnic
Visit a winery
Next Big Question:
What do they need to take the next step?
What are they working towards? What do they need to take the next step?
It may be a class or membership, a piece of equipment or a book.
Gift some golf lessons
Cooking class
An oil painting workshop
A subscription to a YouTube channel or membership in a professional community
Sporting equipment
Cooking gadgets
Music lessons
Photography course
What do they love to do for fun?
An avid reader will never have enough books.
A knitter will never have too much yarn.
There is no such thing as too many craft supplies for someone who loves craft.
A writer will always be able to use another notebook.
A foody will always love trying new recipes.
An artist will always need more pencils.
And a mother will always enjoy coffee with a friend.
What do they use?
Consumables may seem like a boring gift, but a gift that you know someone is going to use is so much better than one that will sit on the shelf. With the cost of living so high at the moment, giving a little luxury this Christmas will be appreciated.
Gift ideas include:
Scented candles, a reed diffuser or essential oils
Chocolate, shortbread, nuts and snack food, gourmet crackers
Sauces and condiments
Coffee beans or specialty tea
Hand or body lotion
Body wash or bath salts
Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
Pens, pencils, highlighters and post-it notes
Potted herbs
Putting it all together:
Embrace the art of the Gift Basket
A collection of small but meaningful gifts can be a lot of fun to put together.
New Parents:
A Date Night at Home
Include a bottle of wine (or some other drink) and some chocolates, a scented candle, a rom-com DVD
A new Mum:
A Spa Day at Home
A bath bomb, scented candle, washcloth, body lotion, and shower cap.
A new Graduate:
A Junk Drawer Starter Kit
Everything they need for a well-stocked junk drawer: scissors, sticky tape, blu tac, batteries, rubber bands, paper clips and a permanent marker.
A Writer:
A lovely journal, brush pens, a fine liner, washi tape and stickers.
A Gardener:
Gloves, a pretty pot, garden tools, and seeds to grow colourful flowers or vegetables.
A Teenage Girl:
Makeup, nail polish, body lotion, fairy lights, lip gloss, and jewellery.
For the Boys:
Sports socks, hat, t-shirt and board shorts, snacks, body wash and deodorant spray.
A Child:
Something to wear, something to read, something to play with and something to eat.
I hope this list has inspired you to find the perfect gift for each of your family and friends this holiday season.
Happy Christmas shopping!
