Seven More Brilliant Ways to Find the Perfect Gift (Even for the Trickiest People)

If you’ve already read our post Find the Perfect Gift Every Time: Seven Ways to Get it Right, you’ll know we’re big believers in thoughtful, personalised gift-giving.

But what about when you’ve already tried the classics, and you're still stuck?

This follow-up guide dives deeper into clever, creative, and slightly unconventional ways to find the right present for even the hardest-to-buy-for people. From quirky fun to practical genius, here are seven more approaches to becoming truly gifted at gifting.

1. Think Smart: Clever Gifts They’ll Actually Use

Sometimes the best presents are practical, but with a twist.

• Tech accessories with flair
  Don’t buy them another phone or tablet. Instead, look for accessories they wouldn’t splurge on themselves: like premium (maybe braided or self-coiling) charging cables, ultra-compact or fast chargers, keyring power banks, or clever cases.

• Explore the world of EDC (Everyday Carry)
  For men and women alike, EDC stores offer all sorts of minimalist wallets, pocket tools, fidget toys, and other useful-but-stylish gear. If you're buying for someone who loves clever design and practical things, this is a goldmine.

  • Perfume samplers with perks
    Jo Loves fragrance sampler sets make elegant gifts, and reduce the guesswork and crossed fingers usually required when you buy perfume. They often do a version that comes with a voucher, meaning your loved one can upgrade to a full-sized bottle of their favourite scent, making the gift lowish-risk, personal and indulgent.

• Curated kits they didn’t know they needed
  Build a themed box around something they love. Try:
  • A cooking kit with fancy ingredients or artisanal condiments
  • A picnic set with reusable cutlery, a soft blanket, and gourmet snacks

2. Think Fun: Make Them Smile

Not every gift has to be serious or sentimental. A dash of playfulness can go a long way.

• Water pistols or Nerf guns
  A hit of nostalgic fun great for families, flatmates, or even office gift exchanges. You’re never too old for a toy that shoots foam.

• Repeat what’s worked before
  If a gift has been a hit in the past, don’t be afraid to revisit it. Just rotate your ideas between different groups so you’re not caught giving the same present twice to people who might compare notes later! 

• Use marketing algorithms for good, not evil
  Instagram, Etsy, Amazon and TikTok are surprisingly good at surfacing creative or trending products. Scroll with purpose, and see if their recommendation engines can inspire you. 

• Gift cards: better than a wild guess
  While often underrated, gift vouchers are often valued highly by recipients, especially if the giver has put some thought into making sure that the voucher is for somewhere the recipient likes to shop.  You're better off going for a well-chosen voucher than a random “thing” they’ll never use.

3. Think Personal: Meaningful and Memorable Gifts

This is where the magic happens: gifts that show you really know them.

• Personalised gifts = thoughtful gifts
  A customised gift tells the recipient: I’ve thought about who you are.
  Our custom colour chart prints are a beautiful, personal way to reflect someone’s personality, interests, or quirks. Whether they’re into music, mountains, or mid-century modern, you can tweak everything from colours to captions.

• Check out curated gift aggregators
  Sites like Not on the High Street, Firebox, and Trouva offer unique, offbeat gifts... but they can be overwhelming. For the best chance of success, we find it's easier to stick to well-curated categories or gift guides for more manageable browsing.

Still Searching? We’ve Got You Covered!

At Inky Printworks, we believe the best gifts are the ones that feel personal - and unexpected. Our witty, beautiful custom colour chart prints are made for the people who are hard to buy for but easy to love.