Find the Perfect Gift Every Time: Seven Ways to Get It Right

Ah, the eternal struggle: finding the perfect gift. Whether it’s for your best friend, your Mum, or that colleague whose name you definitely should remember by now, the pressure is real.  But fear not: with some cunning strategies and a sprinkling of common sense, you can nail it every time. 

For me, this isn't just about making your loved ones feel special. Obviously, it's awesome when a well-chosen, personalised gift really hits the spot.  You feel great, and so do they.  But in a world where so many gifts go straight to the back of the cupboard, thoughtful giving is a responsible choice that cuts down on wasted resources too.

1. Keep a Live List

This was the game-changer for me.  For several years, I managed to fool my wife into thinking I was some sort of present-buying genius.  The truth is much simpler:

• Start a note in your phone's notes app called something like 'Presents List'
• Every time a loved one spots something they like in a shop, or drops a hint, quietly add the details or a quick photo to your list
• Similarly, every time you spot something you think would be great for them, add it to the list
• And then when birthdays or Christmas roll around, simply open up your list and choose from the ideas.

Once you get into the habit, it works brilliantly.  A whole list of 'how did you know?' presents with no need to rely on memory or last-minute panic Googling!  It takes a huge amount of stress out of the present-finding process.  

2. Notice What They Love Receiving

At our big family get-together at Christmas, I realised that present-opening moment is when people give away major clues about the type of presents they really like. What do they get genuinely excited about? Is it something useful, something quirky, something sentimental? And what are the presents they're still talking about months later?  If your Dad always raves about the fancy toothbrush you bought him, but looks politely bemused at yet more jazzy socks you’ve got your answer.

3. Give Experiences (Not Just ‘Stuff’)

Not every present has to be a physical thing. Experiences can be far more memorable (and less likely to end up in a charity shop).  Think quirky walking tours, cookery classes, cheese crawls (they're a thing), theatre trips, or a scenic train journey. It doesn’t have to be a high-adrenaline bungee jump (unless that’s their thing), just something that creates a special memory.

4. Subscriptions

The gift that keeps on giving! Monthly deliveries of craft beer, exotic coffee, personally-selected novels, or even a good old-fashioned magazine can bring joy long after the wrapping paper’s been binned. I thoroughly enjoyed the monthly cheese subscription I was bought a few years ago - even if some of the results were maybe a bit on the ripe side for my taste.  Anyway, well-chosen subscriptions can be a great choice, as the enjoyment carries on for a whole year.

5. Try a Gift Amnesty

For those who already have everything, or prefer to avoid the gifting rigmarole, why not suggest a ‘gift amnesty’? My sister and I agreed this a few years ago - as we don't see each other in person as often as we should, so we decided it makes much more sense to go for a nice meal together instead.  

It doesn't have to be a meal of course: you could fund a joint experience, donate to a charity close to their heart, or even just skip the buying bit altogether.  There... job done.

6. Just Ask!

When all else fails, a simple 'Any hints for your birthday?' can work wonders. Many people would rather receive something they genuinely want than feign enthusiasm for yet another scented candle and body lotion combo. 

7. Make It Personal

Nothing says ‘I thought about you’ quite like a personalised gift (and this is where we casually mention our beautiful, customisable colour chart prints).  But beyond our own offerings, think engraved jewellery, custom prints, bespoke books, or even a jar of Nutella with their name on it. A personalised gift isn’t just a present: thoughtfully chosen, it’s a keepsake, something that feels truly special because it’s made just for them.

Hopefully there's enough inspiration there to help you delight your loved ones every time from now on.  But if you're still short of ideas, have a look at our other blog posts - we have more suggestions!