Shopping, even for your closest friends, can be a challenge. It gets even more complicated when shopping for someone you don’t know very well. Birthday gifts are supposed to be fun and thoughtful.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when getting a birthday gift for a distant cousin, new neighbor, or coworker that you don’t know very well.
Scented Candles
Everyone loves scented candles. Find something luxurious with a neutral scent and include a note. Go for a candle with a reusable minimalist jar. They can use it to store makeup brushes, buttons, or coins.
If you are unsure of the scents they like, go with subtle options. Consider buying a few options to mix things up. Florals are your safest options when you don’t know what to get.
Go With Problem Solvers
Always go with a gift that solves a particular problem. People will appreciate anything that makes their lives easier. Think of their life and the challenges they could be experiencing.
Common annoyances include parenting responsibilities, pain from overworking, and blunt knives. You can fix them with babysitting services, a physical therapy session, or having their knives sharpened. Get them a gift certificate for home laundry services, cleaning, or home-delivered meals.
You don’t need to know anyone very well to understand the problems they could be fixing. After all, most adults face the same general issues.
Flowers Are Always a Popular Choice
Flowers are a safe gift idea for anyone. They are beautiful, sentimental, and they can brighten up anyone’s mood. Birthday flowers from Bloomsybox will brighten up any space. They are budget-friendly, and you can customize them to suit any preferences. Orchids and carnations are some of your best choices because of their long shelf lives.
Avoid Creating More Problems
Ensure that the gift you give doesn’t create problems for the recipient. First, it shouldn’t compel them to make any decisions. If you don’t know someone well, you shouldn’t get them a gift card. It passes the stress of making a decision on to them. You can get them something impersonal; for example, if you know they are smokers, you can get them drew estate factory cigars, but you might not want to do this if you aren’t sure if they would like cigars or not, it might be best to ask them before you get them this gift.
If you choose to give an experience, ensure that it is attached with a date. Even if they eventually reschedule, they don’t have to bear the burden of making a choice.
Get them a Mobile Cover or Laptop Skin
Mobile phones and laptops are modern-day necessities. If you don’t know what to give someone, consider getting them a laptop skin or mobile cover. These gifts are handy, and picking them shouldn’t be difficult.
Get options with simple graphics and prioritize quality. They will think of you every time they take out their phone or laptop. Consider choosing options that pass an uplifting message.
Throw Pillows
Pillows are the ideal comfort gift. The recipient may use them for functional or decorative purposes. Since they come in various colors, shapes, and sizes, you always have options to choose from.
Pick comfortable pillows with unique colors and shapes. The best thing about throwing pillows as gifts is their versatility. They can look good on benches, couches, beds, or floors.
Wall Clocks
Most people check the time on their smartphones and computers. However, wall clocks are still important. They are just as functional as they are decorative. They add some personality to the walls and can be a chance for the recipient to showcase their styling tips.
Clocks are great milestone markers. They are the ideal gifts for commemorating birthdays. Wall clocks can be symbolic- a metaphorical way to say that every minute is valuable and that every birthday is special.
A Monthly Coffee Subscription
Consider getting a coffee subscription as a gift for someone you don’t know well. Do not be afraid to ask if they love coffee. Get a subscription box with assorted coffee bags. That way, they get a new experience every time.
Choosing a birthday gift for someone you don’t know well can be challenging, but it isn’t impossible. The secret is to go for something that solves a problem and doesn’t create more problems. It shouldn’t push them to make a decision. Great gift ideas include flowers, a scented candle, a coffee subscription, and a mobile cover. Go with subtle colors, scents, and patterns.
WRITTEN BY
Claire Ward