You look around their house and they seem to have an abundance of stuff, or they’ve always got just the thing you need in their back pocket. They’re the person who seems to have everything – and they still deserve a memorable gift this holiday. After all, no one deserves to be penalized for being well-stocked or resourceful.
Maybe it’s a kitschy gadget sourced from the dredges of the internet, or an item so niche only you could ever determine they need it. Either way, the act of gift-giving itself strengthens any relationship, making your present less about the thing itself and more about making them feel special during the holidays – or even just because.
I tapped experienced and creative gift-givers I know for their top recommendations on what to get the hardest person to shop for. (They’ll swear they don’t need anything, but we know they’d love something thoughtful to unwrap and enjoy.)
Personalized gifts for the person who has everything
Gildan Softstyle Unisex T-Shirt
The person who has everything certainly doesn’t yet have a piece of clothing so specific to them that they’ll laugh (and maybe even shed a happy tear) every time they come across it in their wardrobe. Design them a shirt almost too precious to wear. “My friends got me a custom shirt and it included a funny quote from Cardi B that we always say,” says Josh, a gymnastics instructor.
Rarton Custom Paint By Number Kit
Honor a special shared memory with something they’ll never see coming: a personalized paint-by-number drawing with acrylic paint, brushes and hanging hooks included. Alexandra Hutz, an associate creative director, received a custom paint-by-numbers picture of her, her husband and his late grandmother. His brother and sister-in-law gave it to them. “It was personalized and sentimental,” says Hutz.
Custom Cookbook
Like many couples during pandemic isolation, Robert and Emily Hartry shared a “mid-Covid obsession with Bon Appétit”. To commemorate their time binge-watching the YouTube videos – and to restore Robert’s love of cooking during a bleak time – Emily got dozens of his friends and family to write and send their favorite recipe alongside any notes, pictures or memories of shared meals or drinks. “She cataloged all this and put together the first and only print edition of Bob Appétit. These are the gifts I love. Things that I can keep and look back on. Trinkets with meaning,” says Robert, an architectural designer. You can create your own personalized cookbook with Mixbook’s intuitive design service, complete with preset themes and layouts.
Golden Auras Design 14K Solid Gold Personalized Clock Necklace
For her 35th birthday, photographer Jennifer Weitzman’s husband got her a custom pendant of a tiny clock with the text: “Le temps file à vive allure avec toi,” which translates to “Time speeds up with you.” “Ever since our first date, it’s felt like time speeds up when we’re together,” says Weitzman. She got a luxurious custom piece from The Moonstoned, but if you’re shopping on a budget, Etsy is another worthwhile route.
My Favorite Things Four-Across Game
As an engagement gift, Matthew’s sister-in-law got him and his wife this personalized Connect Four-style game, knowing they were already set on housewares. The game features the couple’s favorite things, from paw prints to bikes, as a keepsake that celebrates their lifestyle. “It’s a cool custom piece that’s fun to play if you have the urge for a quick nostalgic game,” says Matthew, an e-commerce manager. “It also makes for interesting decor.”
Classic Silhouette Charm Necklace
This dainty personalized necklace has got to be one of the sweetest ways to commemorate a first foray into motherhood. Writer Ayana Lage’s husband gifted her a necklace with their daughter’s silhouette a few months after she was born. “It’s one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received,” says Lage. “It feels so unique, and I always get a ton of compliments when I wear it.”
(Mostly) practical gifts for the person who has everything
MiiR 360 Traveler Stainless Steel Double-Wall Vacuum Insulated Tumbler
This leak-proof, cupholder-compatible tumbler is a low-investment, high-reward gift for the person who needs a constant stream of caffeine to function. What’s more, its versatile design allows your giftee to sip or pour from it from any side. “This is my go-to for to-go coffee,” says Stafford-Abbott. “It’s so chic and just feels elevated and useful. It keeps coffee hot.”
Cavallini Papers & Co. Butterflies 1,000-Piece Puzzle
For a friend who has everything she could ever want, photographer Weitzman thought something kitschy she would never buy for herself was in order. So she picked up this vintage butterfly puzzle. “I just saw it and thought it was a cool-looking item,” says Weitzman. “I remembered [my friend] had some orange tones in her home, and I thought it could look nice on display or be used as something to keep busy on a cold winter night.”
after newsletter promotion
Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Volume Mascara
If your giftee has everything, think about elevating something they use every day but refuse to buy for themselves. Peggy Babalis’s daughter buys her makeup like this Charlotte Tilbury mascara on special occasions “because she knows I won’t spend $30 on a mascara,” says the customer service representative. “My lashes are thinning out, but a few swipes of this mascara on the lashes and wow! I receive so many compliments when I wear it.” Babalis likes that the mascara wand is curved, which means no smudging and lots of curl.
Men’s Fair Isle Half Calf Sock 2-Pack Ornament Gift Box
No feeling compares to sinking your feet into a fresh pair of wool socks, especially when the mercury dips. Grab them this pack of temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking Bombas socks presented in a festive ornament. Josh, the gymnastics instructor, got a pair from his mom for Christmas. “The socks are really good for the winter, keeping my feet warm. I wear them at home to sleep or to go hiking or skiing,” he says.
Secrid Wallets Card Protector
Fewer things are more practical than a no-frills wallet that grants you access to your cards with a flick of the hand. Its durable aluminum casing not only protects against bending and warping, but also wireless signals that may compromise your cards. “I’ve convinced so many people on this wallet,” says Chantal Stafford-Abbott, a model. “I’ve had it for forever and it’s super, super thin. I don’t really need to carry all this cash. It’s tiny, fits in my purse and has everything I need.”
Rosette Rectangular Marble Serve Board
Doubling as a display item and everyday serveware, this marble serving board with pink veining and a convenient carry handle serves both good looks and functionality. “I use it all the time when I’m entertaining,” says marketing specialist Sydney Davloor, whose mother-in-law gifted her one for Christmas. Too pretty to stash in their cabinets, they can also use it as a tray for trinkets when not in use.
Cuisinart VS-200C One-Touch Vacuum Food Sealer
There are few things more frustrating than painstakingly preparing a meal only for it to spoil. If they don’t yet have a vacuum food sealer, this gadget that locks in flavor and freshness with one touch is about to become their meal prep savior. Entrepreneur Claude Richard got one from her future son-in-law. “No more freezer-burned meats, and I really love cooking, so this scored big points for me.”
Small Staple Hoop Earrings
As far as jewelry goes, Jenny Bird’s price for the quality is hard to beat, whether you opt for a statement necklace or understated hoop earrings. “I love to get Jenny Bird jewelry for people who have everything,” says Jaclyn Hoffman, an engagement manager. She gets them for her mother-in-law. “It’s not real diamonds so you don’t have to worry about traveling with them. It’s more fashion-forward but still elevated.”
Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock
The Hatch Restore isn’t your average utilitarian alarm clock that jolts you awake. Instead, it offers soothing sleep sounds and serves as a solid antidote to Brittany Climan’s seasonal depression. “It wakes me up like an old man getting into a bath [would], like a nice and slow wake-up,” says the brand ambassador manager. “The alarm itself is far less aggressive than what we had back in the day.”
