Gift giving (to adults) is hard! They’re an adult, they probably have everything they need or if they do ever need something they will probably go get it. So as someone who has been an adult now for a minute, I think I cracked the giving to adults code.
The key is getting them something that is maybe a little fancy but also unserious that you already know they would like or something that you think they would love but maybe they wouldn’t buy for themselves.
Fancy Beverage- in my opinion the ultimate easy but fancy gift is a nice bottle of something. Could be a whisky or wine but it could also just be a very fancy ginger beer. You know a coffee person, head to your local coffee shop or roaster and get them some beans or tea for the tea lover in your life. No one is going to be upset because you bought them something nice to drink!
Museum Membership- you know a cultured person or a person that thinks they are; or a person with a child that lives near a cool museum, get them an annual membership. I received a membership to the National Museum in Oslo and I loved it so much I renewed it myself the following year. If I lived anywhere near the Science Museum of Minnesota I would love the person who gave me a membership. Even day passes to a museum or local zoo or aquarium would make for a great gift for your favorite pretends to be arty or person of child having experience.
Magazine Subscription- a year of an excellent magazine right in their mailbox, who doesn’t want that!? There are so many magazines that cover every topic imaginable and if you know someone who would love nothing more then to spend a Saturday morning flipping threw a glossy magazine drinking coffee, get them a subscription.
Books- get your favorite book lover an new book or gift card to their local indie bookstore.
Leather Notebook- if you know someone who is always scribbling something down with pen and paper get this person a leather bound notebook. Grocery list or plots to take over the world will always look better in a fancy notebook.
Local Ceramics- who doesn’t love a good mug, support a local artist and give someone the gift of something nice to drink their bean juice out of. A vintage cup and saucer could also be lovely.
The other key, is a practical gift. Adults are practical, they don’t want stuff they won’t use or enjoy.
Fancy Food- nothing is more practical than food we all need it, but fancy food that someone wouldn’t necessarily buy themselves now that’s nice. Think tinned fish and fancy crackers, Calabrian chilis or hot sauce to your spiciest friend or meats and cheeses to your saltiest one.
Global Knives- do you know someone who loves to cook or someone who would like to be a better one? Get them a chefs knife from Global, they make beautifully crafted stainless steel knives. We have three in my house and I love them, they’re nice to look at and incredibly excellent tools. A very practical but nice gift!
Good Hand Products- you know what’s so nice, good soap and fancy hand lotion. Washing your hands with a nice soap and then putting on a nice thick hand cream, nothing beats it. If you know someone who also loves a good soap or lotion get them a fancy one, I like Aesop!
Donation- a great gift for the person who doesn’t need anything is to make a donation in their name to a cause they care about. My favorite causes:
We Rate Dogs- buy your local dog lover a “tell your dog I said hi” t-shirt and then make a donation to their local animal shelter. Fifteen percent of net purchases from We Rate Dogs also go to the 15/10 foundation that covers life saving surgery for dogs.
ALS Association- provides assistance to those suffering from ALS and their families in the US through grants and helps cover costs of adaptive devices, medical devices and home care through the Quality of Life Grant Program.
PFund Foundation- PFund provides grants, scholarships and assistance to LGBTQ+ people and organizations across the Upper Midwestern part of the United States.
Women’s Medical Fund- this Wisconsin based organization has provided women with assistance in paying for abortions for over fifty years!
Oslo Krisesenter- this crisis center and shelter provides housing, legal assistance, practical advice and guidance to anyone in Oslo experiencing physical or emotional abuse.
Happy Holidays you delightful people!
