Gift-giving, whether for a holiday, a birthday, or another special occasion can be quite difficult for some of us. Trust me, I know the perils of standing in the middle of the gift shop, staring at all the items on display, and debating whether I should go home and forget all about it or buy everything in sight, just in case.
When you really think about it gift-giving is an art that’s tightly connected to how well you know the person you’re buying for as well as how close you are to them. Knowing their hobbies, likes, and dislikes can greatly help your chances of picking a great gift for them, but even if you do, sometimes it can still be a bit hard.
With this blog, I’d like to address the issue many of us face when picking gifts for loved ones and friends and propose a few gift ideas that are both universal and special enough to make sure the giftee loves them, but also feel like you’ve given them a lot of thought and have put in the effort.
Most of the information I’ll share you probably already know, but it takes a kind of centred thinking to be able to fish it out, so read on and let’s get to the bottom of this together!
Mugs
When on the fence about a gift it’s always great to ask yourself what is an absolute necessity that can be turned into a special present? There are many, many answers to this question, but the one that pops up the most is always mugs.
We all need to drink something every day, be it water or juice or coffee or tea, so why not take a daily essential and turn it into a charming ritual your friend or family member will absolutely fall in love with?
I’ve gotten my fair share of beautiful mugs as gifts and I still keep and use every single one of them, no matter how much time has passed since I’ve gotten each. I’ve also given quite a bunch of them, too, so hear me out!
The most important thing when searching for mugs for sale is knowing exactly what you’re looking for. You may look for the perfect mugs online or in physical stores, but either way, it’s important to always remember that anything generic just won’t do.
You want the giftee to feel special so go ahead and find a handmade mug in an interesting shape and featuring an amusing pattern and gift it. Trust me, you can’t go wrong when doing this and your friend is sure to fall in love with it instantly.
What’s more, you can gift a set of two or more mugs if you feel like it and sometimes even accompany them with matching saucers, so the possibilities really are endless.
All you need to know when searching for the perfect mug for that special someone is a very basic idea of what kind of colours and patterns they like and then match that with what the store you’ve chosen has available. Easy as pie! Just remember, the more personalized – the better!
Candles
Moving on, another universal yet greatly intimate present – candles!
Some people may seem like they wouldn’t be into candles, but let’s be honest, who can not be into a little wax puddle that smells good, offers an amazing atmosphere-making ability, and just beautifies any room it’s placed in, no matter what kind it is?
That’s right, nobody.
The key to buying candles is to know how far you can take your purchase as well as when to hold back and choose something that’s a bit more conservative and plain.
For example, if a male friend is having a housewarming party and you’d like to gift them a candle, pay attention to their clothing style, whether they wear any perfume or not and if they do what it smells like, and so on. You can even go as far as taking a quick look at the home they bought to get a feel of whether you should go for a strong-smelling, detailed candle or a more subtle, fresh, and unobtrusive one. The same goes for your female friends, too.
Candles nowadays are heavily focused on fragrances as well as how they’re sourced, so don’t get a regular one if your friend is a vegan. Instead, opt for a handmade soy option that’s bound to bring joy to the person receiving it and pay close attention to the smell.
Finally, the packaging and colour of the candle should also follow the style of the giftee to round everything up and really kick that gift ball out of the park.
Home Decor Items
Yeah, yeah, I know what you must be thinking. “Aren’t candles home decor items?” The answer to that question is a definitive no. Much like their essential oil brothers, candles are all about relaxation, soothing, and spending some quality time either by yourself or with someone else, so categorizing them as “home decor items” really takes away from their purpose and meaning.
Even though I don’t mean candles, what I do mean when I talk about home decor gift items are things like couch cushions, throw blankets, vases, picture frames, art prints and artworks, decorative plate sets, figurines and small statues, rugs and mats, potted plants, lamps, and so on. You get the idea.
Each of these items requires a similar knowledge as the previous two with the only difference being that they are probably going to be more costly, so choose this option only when you’re buying for someone really, really special in your life.
You can also use any of these items to create a base for a sort of gift basket that’s going to include a candle and a mug as well, or any other pieces you think your giftee would like.
The rule of personality and style applies here as well, so pay attention, personalize, and you’re most definitely golden! Good luck!
