With Christmas fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about gift shopping for the big day – but while for some, seeking out the perfect surprises for the people they love is nothing short of a joy, for others, the difficulty of attempting to find something unique, special and guaranteed to put a smile on the recipient’s face is a stress too far, and the fear of disappointing those who mean the most to you is real.
If you fall into the latter camp and are buying for the person who truly already seems to have it all, then you might be wondering where on earth to start – but the good news is that there are a few simple ways to get the creative juices flowing. If they’ve already told you they don’t need anything then it might feel like you’ve already hit a brick wall, but there are still some simple ways you can ensure you get it right.
1. Recreate their favourite memories
If you can’t think of anything new to give them, then reminding them of some of their favourite memories from times gone by is bound to put a smile on their face. Sites like Printed Memories are great for inspiration and will allow you to come up with a truly unique gift they’ll love – whether it’s a photo book showcasing moments from their favourite luxury holiday, a custom map showing somewhere meaningful – like where you first met, or the place they live – or a beautiful piece of framed artwork that holds a special significance for them.
2. Give the gift of time
It might sound cliche, but in today’s busy world, your undivided time and attention is often the best gift you can give someone. And, if you’re buying for someone who already has every material possession they could ever possibly wish for, then planning a day or an evening together doing something they love is likely the key to their heart.
If they have children or pets and struggle to find much time for themselves, then offer to take care of their responsibilities for a night so that they can go out and enjoy a fine dining dinner or a few champagne cocktails. Or, if you have a particular skill and could help them out with a project in their home or garden, then create a gift certificate and wrap it in a beautiful box for them to open on the big day.
3. Solve all their problems
They might already have a jewellery box filled with diamonds, an entire collection of designer watches and several opulent sports cars, but even the person who can buy whatever they want, when they want it has problems. What’s more is that they don’t always know how to solve them, but with a little clever thinking, you can figure out how to make their life easier in ways they didn’t even know they needed.
If they regularly complain of back or neck pain, then treat them to a series of sessions with a chiropractor or an osteopath, depending on the origin of the problem – or send them for a luxurious spa day to enjoy a relaxing massage. If they’re stressed, then consider gifting them a weekend away with a loved one or send them on a yoga retreat so they can switch off and re-centre for a few days.
Taking some time to work out what problems and obstacles they have in their lives and how you can help them to overcome will ensure that your gift is thoughtful and welcomed with open arms.
4. Choose experiences over material gifts
If you can’t think of a single material gift idea, they don’t already have ten of, then give them an experience instead. A hot air balloon ride, a wine tasting tour or a luxury city break in Europe are all excellent ideas that they’re certain to love – and if you can do a bit of digging beforehand to find out what they might enjoy best, then all the better.
If the person you’re buying for is a thrill-seeker, then a skydive or abseiling experience will likely go down a treat, while car enthusiasts and speed demons will undoubtedly love the chance to get behind the wheel of a luxury race car and take on the track at Silverstone. If they’re a culture lover, then tickets to see a show on Broadway or to an art exhibition, or a course of language lessons are all bound to go down a treat.
