Gifts for Someone with Everything

Getting gifts for someone who seems to have everything, or someone who is very picky, is rather challenging.  While the gesture is nice, there’s a sense that they may already have almost every item in question, and that it wasn’t really wanted or needed.  These days, I am inclined to take a more simplistic view to gift giving, including discouraging the whole practice.  Increasingly, there are many alternative options:

–If circumstances allow, forego exchanging gifts – in an office or large family, drawing for one name for a gift exchange rather than having gifts for everyone makes a lot of sense.  In one office where I worked, the employees voted not to have the usual gift exchange and large office party, instead we all went out for drinks together and gave a donation from the office fund to an agreed upon charity.  This is becoming increasingly popular.

–Gift cards, gift certificates, and checks are popular – especially for young adults, college kids, and those far away where exchanging physical gifts may be problematic.  Gift cards and gift certificates are becoming increasingly numerous with numerous venues for redemption including restaurants, entertainment tickets, and for services like cellphone services, adding to the flexibility of these gifts.

–Homemade gifts are always popular — I think one of my all time favorite gifts was a small pillow (a ring and pin holder) with my initials monogrammed.  Not only was the craftsmanship excellent, the gift showed a lot of creativity.  For food related gifts, try something different from the usual.

–Green gifts – practical gifts, like appliances, may seem unexciting. However, some of the newer green appliances (like energy saving lamps) allow for a gift that is both practical and cool.

shared at Works for Me Wednesday and Frugal Friday