TGR Staff - Photo by Edgar Soto -01/04/2023
But not everyone is a natural at gift giving, and nearly half of Americans struggle to find the right gift; in fact, come the holiday season, over 70% of men and 57.8% of women struggle to choose a present that will hit the mark for their loved ones. And the general consensus is that men are more challenging to buy for than women.
There are multiple reasons why people are struggling to find the right gift, from the cost of items rising dramatically in recent years to budgets being squeezed more and more, leaving less money to purchase an extra special gift or the person they are buying for not appearing to want or need anything.
And that brings us to the crux of this post: buying gifts for people who don't actually want or need anything. The "don't get me anything" or "a card will do. Honestly, I don't need gifts" crew. We all know them and have them to buy for, and while you're not alone in this issue, it doesn't make things any easier.
So what makes the perfect gift for someone who doesn't want anything or has everything they already need?
Experiences
These days, people have an abundance of "stuff". And realistically, not everyone needs a physical gift. Especially one that will sit around unused or, even worse, be regifted. And if you don't want to gift yet another pair of socks for the man in your life, then you need to think about giving them something they can remember for the rest of their life.
What do they love to do? Is there an artist they usually want to see that you can buy tickets for? Is there a special event? Comic-Con, maybe, or another convention they want to attend? Or perhaps you can give them a day out that takes into consideration their hobbies?
If they love to fish, then booking a fishing charter that can allow them to indulge in their favorite pastime for a few hours can be precisely what you're looking for.
The beauty of giving an experience is that they first have something to look forward to, then they get to enjoy the day and create memories they can relive over and over, knowing that you cared enough to find them something you knew they would love.
Memberships
A membership or season ticket to see their favorite sporting team is literally the gift that keeps on giving. If they love to watch their favorite baseball team live, then why not see how much a season ticket is? This way, they can visit all of the games but without the expense.
If they enjoy visiting a local museum or frequenting National Parks, then a one-year membership can allow them to visit their to heart's content. There are various options for gifts like this, and you can find them for attractions, local venues, zoos, theme parks, sports teams, and so on. All you need to do is uncover what they would like the most, and if it's in your budget, you have the perfect gift.
Subscriptions
It is estimated that around 400 to 600 subscription boxes are currently available in America alone. But what exactly are you paying for when you buy a subscription box? Essentially, you are paying for a company to provide a package on a regular basis, be it weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc., for a set price. You can buy them on a month-to-month or week-to-week basis, or you can pay upfront for a block of time, e.g., 6 months or a year. The item will then be shipped on the dispatch date to the recipient, so they are basically getting a new gift each month or the duration you have paid for.
You can find subscription boxes for almost anything, be it toiletries, clothing, food, drinks, alcohol, specific hobbies, self-care, and so on. They can be really general, such as meal subscription boxes giving you a variety of different meals in each box, or they can be extremely specific to a niche, such as a shaving box, meaning you only get items that are related to and can improve how you shave.
Gift Cards
This might seem like the easy way out for some people, but if you are struggling to know what to buy someone, then finding a gift card for a company they use or will enjoy means you can get them a gift that can be used on something of their own choosing.
If they head out to the local shooting range each week, can you get them a gift card to cover the costs for the gun and the ammo as required? Or you can buy them a gift card for their favorite restaurant so they can have a meal with you at a time of their choosing and so on.
The trick with gifting gift cards is that you don't just pick any gift card or a general one. You buy one that you know they will use for their favorite store, hobby, eatery, etc. This means they are more likely to use it, and the better a gift it will be.
Choosing the perfect gift for someone who is really hard to buy for can be a conundrum. The more stressed you become, the harder it is to buy for them. But taking a step back and looking at their likes, dislikes, interests, and habits can enlighten you as to what type of gift they would be more likely to want and what they get value from. In this instance, taking your time and putting some thought into your choices will serve you well and ensure that your gift stays off the regifting pile and is enjoyed exactly how you want it to be.
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