Now is the time that you start trying to get your lists together for all of your friends and family on what gifts to buy for who, and don't forget about your Secret Santa, too! And not to mention that your friends and family are about to start asking you what you want for Christmas, so I've gone ahead and compiled a list of some of the things to ask for and what to buy for your friends. Or if none of these ideas are good for you, think about that (insert any generic present here) you received last year and never opened ... I hear re-gifting is still a thing, so that might work.
1. Gift Boxes/Sets
Getting someone an assorted set of chocolates or a "movie-night box" complete with DVDs and popcorn is always a good idea; giving someone a lot of little items in a set that shows you really care about them. For example, you could make a spa set with nail polish, a face mask, nail files, and some nail polish remover. Other set ideas include craft sets, dinner sets, morning break sets, and the list goes on.
2. Accessories
Accessories are always a great idea that anyone can use and appreciate. Get a scarf for your "always cold" best friend, a watch for the man in your life, and maybe a few necklaces or earrings for those people who you want to show mean something to you. Besides, everyone could use a new wallet or handbag.
3. Kitchen Gadgets
Whether it's a new food processor or blender, or fulfilling someone's wish for a big-ticket Kitchen Aid mixer, kitchen gadgets are always in style. We're always asking for the newest and most updated items, or even something we've never heard of but are absolutely certain that it will revolutionize the way we use your kitchen forever. Here are 45 kitchen gadgets that you weren't aware you needed.
4. Professional Clothing
Buying professional clothing is necessary, but it's also expensive. Skip out on asking your parents for that "Straight Outta ____" hoodie you wanted to lounge around your apartment in, and ask them for a sharp-looking blazer instead. It will be trendier longer, classy forever, and you will be able to use it for interviews, presentations, and formal meetings.
5. Tea, Coffee, Wine, or Any Beverage of Choice
Everyone has their favorite drink, so use Christmas as the opportunity to indulge someone for the deepest cravings. A tea lover would probably enjoy a Teavanna set of their favorite tea flavor or even an imported tea set from abroad. Buy them a diffuser and mug while you're at it to complete the gift and make it look polished.
6. Adopt a Child in Need
If you're feeling especially charitable amid all of the Christmas spirit, forego asking for presents altogether and ask your friends to help you make Christmas possible for a child in need instead. Most communities have lists of children whose parents may not be able to provide them Christmas and need someone to provide them with their basic necessities, so this year, make Christmas possible for the children who deserve to wake up with the same amount of joy that other children all across the world will have.
7. Books
If there are any book lovers in your life, forego the tea sets and the hot chocolate mugs with reindeer on them, and instead buy a friend a book. Books can be expensive to a book lover, so save them some time and buy them the recommendations that you'd had for them earlier that year but know they haven't thought about since or buy them the sequel to a book they raved for hours about. Books are always a good idea.
8. Subscription Boxes
Subscription boxes are one of the newest fads, and for the friend who already has everything (or maybe the friend who just started getting into something), a subscription box is the perfect gift! Who doesn't love getting mail every month? And pro tip: If you take this idea, go ahead and get the first box delivered to you so your friend has something to open, and then change the address to theirs so that they can get their presents for the rest of the year or six months, or however long you choose.
9. Massage/Pedicure Gift Certificate
Every college student, mom, dad, graduate, teenager, etc. wants a day to relax and have someone pamper them. A massage, manicure, or pedicure is a really good way to show someone in your life that you care about their well-being and help them take a day off that they may have not planned for themselves.
10. Makeup, Cologne/Perfume, Video Games
If you're trying to think of something to add on to gifts you already have, think of the things that your friends and family are always doing. What do they follow on Facebook and spend their days reading up on? These are the things they will appreciate having -- the only trouble here is making sure that they don't already have it.
11. Gift Cards
For the person who you just don't know what to get, this is by far the easiest gift to get someone, but usually it comes with the most satisfaction. This way, they get to shop at their favorite stores and you get to give a no-stress present. It's a win-win for everyone.
