What to Give the Person
Who Has Everything
We all have that person in our life. Maybe it’s a friend who is always up on the latest gadget and trend, or a family member who enjoys such a minimalistic lifestyle that you can’t think of anything they will actually use. What to give the person who already has everything they want? Instead of buying them a Starbucks gift card or a pack of tube socks, read on for a few more interesting options that they might actually be excited to receive.
Give a Membership
Gift memberships are great, because instead of being another tangible piece of junk, you’re giving the gift of experience. Another great aspect of this option: If you’re creative, you can probably think of a membership that really fits them well and doesn’t feel cookie cutter or generic.
For the scientist or intellectual type, you could get them a yearly pass at a nearby museum. For the artist or creative person, a season pass to the local museum of modern art or other large gallery could be a good bet. Remember to get the season pass that lets the user get into special, rotating exhibits or shows; this will give them an incentive to use their pass often, instead of just going once and forgetting about it. Or, you could consider buying them a yearly membership for the audio book site Audible or the music downloading service eMusic.
Can’t imagine your recipient willingly setting foot in a museum or art gallery? Consider extending their gym membership, or even doing something as utilitarian as increasing their AAA membership. While this might not be as glamorous as other gifts, it’s certainly useful and won’t be relegated to the junk drawer.
Give to Charity
Giving a gift to charity in a friend or family member’s name is a thoughtful and respectful way to show you care. Rather than giving to a random charity or the one you usually donate to, however, try to find one that reflects their own interests. Are they a dog lover? Send a check to the Humane Society. A sucker for international affairs? Consider donating to Oxfam International. Check out Charity Navigator for the details on many more charities in a variety of areas to ensure that you give your money to an organization that will use it well.
Give a Class
Education can be a great gift to give, as long as it’s not a voucher for a free semester of organic chemistry. Once again, it pays to keep your ears open about your friend or family member’s new hobbies or interests, and to try and tailor this gift especially to them.
For the foodie friend, for example, buy them a culinary class at a nearby cooking school. Art and writing classes are also a good bet, and are often offered by university departments to non-students. An improv class at a local comedy club or college can be low commitment fun, and is something that you could potentially do together. Music or voice lessons can be a good idea, too.