To my way of thinking there are two types of Christmas gifts that one buys. Although on reflection the theory extends to any kind of gift.
There are those that are easy to buy for. Either because you know their tastes, and have an idea of what might delight them. Or they have requested very specific gifts (so easy but dull). Or you buy them a certain type of gift each time as a tradition. There’s here potential to be either dull or an opportunity to get creative.
When you don’t know what gift to buy
Then there are the other sorts. The ones where you have no idea what they want. Maybe they buy everything for themselves and are too impatient to wait for Christmas. Or they have no idea what they might like when asked when even the smallest of hints would give you something to go on. Or you don’t know them very well (hello elderly aunts and workplace Secret Santa).
There are two things that I’ve found useful for dealing with these. Firstly fall back on what you know. So if you are a book lover and know the contents of your nearest bookshop or library inside out. Put this to use. Secondly, I’ve found putting a price limit on gifts helps one to be more creative.
Try a secret santa exchange
My family and I have enjoyed some wonderful gift exchanges with a £1, £5, or £10 limit. In fact, we’ve found that moving away from everyone giving everyone else a gift. Capping the budget has been extremely liberating. This year my family, ever in search of gift related high-jinks, have decided that we will go with the Secret Santa concept rather than more traditional styles of gift exchange.
Secret Santa is lots of fun, but is not without it’s difficulties, particularly when applied in the workplace. You want to delight the colleague (whom you’ve barely spoken to all year) but have no idea what they might enjoy. This to my mind is where you should be doing two things. Firstly communicate more often with the people you spend most of your life with, and secondly, look to stationery. There are few people who would not enjoy a notebook, writing instruments, or sticky notes.
It couldn’t be easier! Start a nice clean page in your notebook. Then make a list of people you need to buy gifts for secure in the knowledge that you can always rely on stationery.