What To Buy For The Person Who Has Everything

Sometimes it can be so hard to figure out what to buy them and in the past I have found myself buying and wrapping a present really for the sake of giving them something.  Often times, those presents are either returned, stashed in a closet somewhere, or eeeek…regifted.

I also have the precarious situation of having people in my extended family who are very generous with their gifting, which is very much appreciated.  However, we are usually on a budget near the holidays to make sure we can travel to see family, buy gifts for our children, buy gifts for our extended family, and make charitable donations.  Plus, everyone in my family (except me) was born within a month of Christmas and my husband and I celebrate our anniversary in December.  The money seems to fly out of our bank account.

So what is the solution for the dilemma of what to buy for the person who has everything?

The short but uneasy answer is…thoughtfulness.

I know, I know.  That’s an age old saying, “It’s the thought that counts.”  But it is an age old saying for a reason.  Think creatively.  Today I’m going to give you some ideas of what I’ve used in the past, a “think tank list” to inspire you, and a printable to help you brainstorm.

Here’s some ideas I’ve used in the past.

Who doesn’t love a fresh white bathrobe?  Don’t just leave it plain though.  Have it embroidered at your local embroidery shop with either the persons’ monogram, or better yet, something even more personal.  Several years ago I bought bathrobes for my brother and sister-in-law at T.J. Maxx and had them embroidered with “Smith’s Cabin and Casino” and a picture of wolf.  Each summer the whole family descends on their Michigan lake cabin where we live it up and play cards.  It was personal, funny, creative, and relatively inexpensive.  It definitely checked the box for what to buy for the person who has everything.  They didn’t have that.

This lipstick goes in the category of “hard to buy for”.  One year my husband’s grandmothers each received a Dior lipstick, body lotion, and the “free gift with purchase” Dior was giving away with a qualifying purchase.  Both grandmothers adored lipstick but would have never bought such a fancy lipstick.  Sometimes buying someone something so luxe is a welcome surprise.  They don’t even know they want it until they open the box.  It was the “talk of Christmas” that year.

Last year I framed this “watercolor” picture of the lake cabin as a gift.  I took this photo the summer before and used the Waterlogue app to turn it into a watercolor.  You don’t have to use a picture of a house.  Find a favorite family photo, a pretty landscape, architecture etc….Create a one of a kind piece of art that is personal to the person you are gifting it to and you won’t be stuck in ‘what to buy for the person who has everything’ nightmare.

Below I’ve listed several items that fall into different categories.  If you are stuck, you might see something on this list that sparks an idea.

If you are still stuck and are at a loss you can use the brainstorming guide I put together below.  Just click on  the link below the picture and print it as many time as you want for the special people on your list.  I like to create this for family members because it helps me find just the right item.

I like to list anything they are currently doing or would want to do under hobbies/interests.  Has this person always wanted to do woodworking, gardening, knitting, sewing, scrapbooking, painting?  I find the best gifts when I think of their dreams/goals.

Did they always want to be a chef, writer, musician, actor, world traveler but life took them in a different direction?  Give them an inspirational gift to help them fulfill their dreams even if it turns out to be a hobby.  My mom always wanted to be a neurologist, so any book I buy her about the brain is a winner.

Defining their style is so important.  Would you classify them as glamourous, classic, eclectic, flashy, casual, dressy, outdoorsy etc….  Defining their style can help you find items that fit with their style rather than what you like.

 

what-to-buy-for-the-person-who-has-everything-brainstorming-guide

I hope in some small way this little guide on what to buy for the person who has everything will help you in your shopping this season.  There is nothing more thrilling than to watch someone open something they love and never expected.  We have a saying in my family that is repeated over and over throughout the holidays.  It was first uttered by my grandmother-in-law more than 20 years ago.  The sayings in this family live on forever.  Someone always says, “I never thought I would live so long as to see a present as nice as this”.

So here’s to good gift giving and a very merry holiday season.

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