The Gift Guide For The Person Who Doesn't Want Anything
Article Written By Helen Jorgensen
We all know a few friends and family who insist every year that they don’t want anything. I write this gift guide from personal experience as I happen to be one of these people, and also know a few people, who use this line so I understand how difficult it can be to shop for these friends. The reason why I usually say I don’t want anything for Christmas is because I personally feel I have everything I need and want. But, in fact, there are always a few things I secretly wouldn’t mind receiving as gifts. Everything I have included in this gift guide I have either gifted to someone or received myself, so fear not this holiday season.
Flowers
Flowers are such a sweet gesture especially if the recipient loves home decor. To ensure that this gift is actually a gift and not a chore for your friend, there are a few things you must do in preparation. Firstly, never gift flowers in the packaging they come in. Place the flowers in a vase that is neutral and would match the colour palette of their kitchen or living room. This is the perfect opportunity to make this gift more personal because you can paint the recipient’s monogram on the vase, or any design that vibes well with their home and style. Secondly, make sure to cut the leaf stems off of the flowers as it looks much cleaner. Thirdly, cut the ends of the flowers at a 45-degree angle in order to increase the surface area, allowing the flowers to absorb more water and last longer.
Face Masks
At this point into the pandemic, we all have masks. However, there are really cute and fashionable options for everyone. This gift is surely a gift that would definitely be used and appreciated, even by the person who already has everything. My first suggestion would be to purchase from local businesses because it’s always good to support small businesses; they also tend to offer free or inexpensive gift wrapping. If you are in St Andrews, I would suggest shopping at Bonkers as they have a huge selection.
A Silk Pillowcase
Silk Pillowcases have been all the hype in the beauty world for the past few months. Normal cotton and polyester pillowcases produce friction that can create creases in your face, and overtime turn into wrinkles. Friction also gives your hair a messy look in the morning, known as bedhead. A silk pillowcase provides a smooth surface which creates less friction so every morning you will wake up in the morning with less frizz and tangles in your hair.
I love this gift idea because there are a variety of colour and price options. Amazon has a few options, including the brand “slip” which is best known for silk pillowcases, as well as other brands that are more affordable!
A Hydro Flask
The infamous overprice water bottle was all the hype a few months back, and is still quite popular. It’s something that those of us who don’t have one secretly want, but would never buy for ourselves because it seems a bit silly to buy yourself a water bottle for 30 pounds. But that’s what makes a hydro flask a great gift! To make it a bit more personal, you can order stickers with the recipient’s name on them! Websites like Amazon and Etsy have lots of options that ship everywhere.
A Sleeping Mask
I swear not enough people these days own a sleep mask. I always had one growing up and still receive a new one each Christmas as a stocking stuffer. You can find them at stores like Boots for under 15 pounds. There are also options on Etsy that you can get personalised!
A Gift Card To Their Favourite Store
No, it’s not the most personal or thoughtful gift. But the person can choose how they spend the gift card, and with holiday sales coming up it will be surely used. The person you are buying for might not want something at the moment, so with a gift card they can choose their own gift when they find something they like. To make an impersonal gift more impersonal, make sure to write a card that expresses how thankful you are for their friendship!
Coffee Machine
If your friend or family member loves their morning Starbucks or Costa, a coffee machine would be a greatly appreciated gift as it would save them some money. Some machines can be a bit expensive, so I always love to gift a French Press or Aeropress. They’re very simple to use, take up very little space on the kitchen counter, and cost effective.
Before I end this article, let me part with a few important tips that are helpful if you feel that none of these options are useful as gifts. Firstly, never give something that is holiday themed because the recipient won’t be able to use it all year long. Secondly, the best gifts are not the most expensive gifts but small items that add something a bit extra to their life. Lastly, and my favourite tip, you don’t always need to give a physical present; writing a holiday card that expresses how grateful you are for someone’s friendship is the best way to show how much you care for someone. I hope all of these suggestions are useful, and Happy Holidays!