how to give better gifts
My 2025 guide for giving gifts people will genuinely love, with recommendations for where to look.
I mean it very literally when I say that there are few things in life that I love more than giving a great gift. It’s an art, taking time, patience, and attention to find what will spark joy in the recipient.
While this guide is timely for the upcoming holiday season, I don’t view gift giving as a seasonal responsibility. Good gifting requires year-round attention — paying attention to the people in your life so you actually know what they’d love, whether it’s for a birthday, a housewarming, or no reason at all. This level of intention might sound like a burden — “so I have to be thinking about this all year?” But to be known and understood is to be loved.
Getting Organized
I recommend having a “hub” for gift planning. In my household, we have a spreadsheet to stay organized. Here’s what it includes:
A list of ideas (and links) we’ve collected over the years
What we’ve bought (and spent) for each person on our list in past years
Our 2025 planning section, which includes: our list of who to buy for, the budget for each person, our overall budget, whether or not we’ve purchased yet, what the gift is, and how actual spend looks vs budget
Our system is a bit more extensive than necessary, but it helps us avoid repeat gifts and helps us with financial preparation. At minimum, grab a notebook, list your recipients, and start brainstorming ideas.
What Makes A Gift Great
I have a simple, but extremely effective, strategy for finding great gifts.
When someone has an interest, they will have aligning brands/products in their orbit. If you don’t share this interest, or at least not to their level, then you may be unaware of those brands/products. Instead, you might have “general awareness” of the interest and what brands/products are popular within it.
Oftentimes, gifts are bought from the “general awareness” space. To better explain the graphic above, let’s review a couple of examples:
You’re buying a gift for Anthony and know that he has been getting into the Chicago Cubs lately.
General Awareness Gift: You go to the Cubs website to get a hat or shirt.
Better Gift: You know Anthony also likes vintage clothes, so instead you get him this 1956-style Cubs ballcap from Ebbets.
You’re buying a gift for Jo and know she does quite a bit of journaling.
General Awareness Gift: You go to Target and pick up a couple of notebooks and packs of pens.
Better Gift: You do some research and get her a refillable leather notebook from La Compagnie Du Kraft.
The key difference: It goes from “I know this about you” to “I know this about you and did the work to understand what you’d really want.”
Sometimes the hardest part is finding the more niche, high quality products. For that, I recommend 1) Reddit 2) niche blogs and 3) well-curated online marketplaces.
Common Mistakes
Combining Interests: Now, this doesn’t always go wrong, like the ballcap mentioned above. However, it is where things can get weird.
For example, say you have a friend that loves coffee and cozy blankets. Do not get the fleece coffee blanket off of Etsy. Instead, focus on one interest or get two smaller things, like a bag of nice coffee beans and a throw blanket.
Gift Baskets/Sets: A good gift basket/set can save a lot of time, and sometimes money. However, it can really take the meaning out of a gift if it isn’t done well.
Build the gift basket yourself and curate the items to fit the person and theme perfectly. Alternatively, there are some brands or businesses that do this well, like this one.
Gifting Work: Have you ever been given a gift that required you to work on it, and it ended up collecting dust in a closet? That’s what I’m talking about here. Tread carefully when shopping for hobby or project gifts, like puzzles, craft kits, etc.
Here’s when it works: When the person you’re shopping for is already involved, or has expressed serious interest in, this hobby. Some people love gifts like this.
Repetition: I know your friend said she likes pumpkin candles 5 years ago, but she doesn’t need one for every occasion. (Unless she wants that)
Gifting An Expert: If someone is extremely well versed in something, I tend to focus on a different category of gift for them. Why? It’s hard to find something they don’t already have or know about.
Example: Drew is an avid collector of vinyl records. So, naturally, when it comes time to get him a gift, that’s what people think of. However, since they know less about them than he does, and aren’t familiar with his collection, it’s hard to get him something he’ll be excited about. A hack here is asking casual questions beforehand to understand what he might be looking for next.
Giving With Limited Info
When you’re tasked with shopping for someone you know little about, you’re likely to end up grabbing a gift card, relying on Amazon’s recommendations, or settling with a generic gift basket.
Instead, look for an elevated basic — something that they use every day that you can get a better version of.
Do they like a drink? Try this can cooler.
Into self care and spa days? Here’s a linen towel.
Always on the go? Maybe a weekend bag.
Do they like a good candle? Get them a better one.
🎁 Where & What To Buy
Now, let’s get into the fun stuff. Here is my non-exhaustive list of recommendations for gift shopping.
Looking for someone specific? Drop a comment and I’ll do my best to help out.
FOR OUTDOORSY FOLKS
Men’s/masculine clothing, accessories, home goods, gear — it’s a massive curated marketplace that you can get lost in. Go there to shop, or just to discover brands.
For those who like to hike (or move) in style.
Day bags and poles for the skiers you know.
Bandannas designed by artists that support good causes.
Stylish camping and river gear.
Apparel for the outdoors, inspired by streetwear.
The vibe is vintage campground.
FOR SPORTS FANS & ATHLETICS
Vintage-inspired baseball apparel and accessories.
Some of the best collegiate apparel and accessories I’ve found. You can find something for every college sports fan.
A fast-growing running brand out of Brooklyn.
Small brand, great style.
One of my favorites. Classic designs, for movement and everyday wear.
Based in Louisville. High quality gear for golfers.
Perfect for the person that loves the Northeast.
All women’s sports fans want something from this brand.
STATIONARY ENTHUSIASTS
The planner system with a cult following.
High quality notebooks, diaries, and accessories.
For people who love a good map.
COZY LIVING
Specifically, their blankets.
A Swedish brand selling wool mittens, socks, hats, and more.
Pretty well-known, but for good reason. Cozy wool socks for cold months, great compression socks for travel.
High quality bedding, quilts, robes, etc. Higher price point but worth it.
COFFEE & TEA ENTHUSIASTS
Miir sells great drinkware, but they also offer kitchenware like canisters, scales, grinders, and more.
I particularly like their box sets.
For matcha sets. River & Stone Tea is also great.
High quality matcha and hojicha in a cute canister.
Great coffee by great people.
FASHION & ACCESSORY FANS
Brand out of Nashville. Known for their denim, but also have great accessories and home goods.
Known for their socks, but offer great basics as well.
Sunglasses and accessories, with Pit Viper alternatives.
Leather goods made in Indianapolis.
Korean sunglasses at a good price point.
Pricey, but fantastic for people who love a good band tee.
New brand with great hats.
BAGS & TRAVEL
Bags, luggage, wallets, tech pouches — anything someone could need.
Fantastic travel accessories.
INTERIOR DESIGN BUFFS
I think I buy at least one of these for someone every year. Great flags and pennants, made in Buffalo.
Coffee table books for people who love a great aesthetic.
GOOD SCENTS
This one feels a bit mean to include, because they do things differently. But they are so good that I just have to share. Go ahead and join that wait list. Maybe for yourself?
Higher price point, but worth it. Check out their gift sets and gifts under $100.
Like the above. Check out their little treasures section for great gifts.
MISCELLANEOUS CURATORS & MAKERS
A very long catalog of American-made brands.
I particularly like their new Nameless Earth scent.
Fantastic curation of goods.
A purpose-led Canadian brand.
