7 Smart Tips for Buying Gifts Your Friends Will Love

smart tips

Gift-giving is supposed to be fun. But, for many people, it tends just to be another source of stress.

In fact, a whopping 69 percent of people said that they would rather forgo gift-giving altogether during the holiday season.

Whether you’re struggling to find a great holiday gift, birthday gift, or just-because gift, there’s no need to give up on the exchange completely.

Read on for seven smart tips that will help you figure out the perfect gifts for all your friends.

1. Choose Experiences Over Things

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re trying to find the ideal gift to give your friend. One way to avoid this is to change your mindset and think about giving them an experience rather than a tangible item.

For example, you could take them to a concert or play that they’ve always wanted to see.

This is an especially good option for friends who live far away or whom you don’t see very often. You’ll get to spend quality time together while also making lasting memories.

You also don’t have to worry about their gift getting lost or damaged in the mail — it’s a win-win!

2. Think About Their Interests

When you’re trying to figure out the perfect gift, it’s tempting to think about what you want to receive.

Take a step back, though, and think about how much your interests and your friend’s interests actually overlap.

What might appeal to you might be boring to them. So, instead of just focusing on what you’d like to receive, think about them and what they’re most interested in.

Once you’ve brainstormed and figured out some of their top interests, you can start tailoring a gift to them specifically.

This also helps you avoid giving a generic gift that doesn’t have much meaning behind it.

Think about it. How many candles or cucumber-scented body lotions does your friend need?

3. Think About Their Needs

In addition to thinking about your friend’s wants and interests, it’s also helpful to think about what they might need.

Is your friend a college student who has to pull a lot of late nights? Are they an entrepreneur starting their own business?

Consider what they’ve got going on in their life and buy them a gift that can help them through their daily tasks.

For example, your friend who’s still in school might be able to benefit from a study survival kit. Fill a box with snacks, sticky notes, pens, and a gift card to their local coffee shop.

By taking the time to think about their needs and personalize their gift, you’ll send a message that you really care about your friend and want to help them achieve their goals.

4. Do Your Research

If you’re really struggling to figure out what your friend might want or need, you may need to do some research — or stalking, whatever you want to call it.

Check to see if they have an Amazon wishlist or Reddit marketplace wishlist. Pay attention to their recent Facebook and Instagram activity to see if they’ve shown an interest in specific products or events.

If you can’t find any information online, try picking up the phone and making some calls or sending some texts.

You can’t go wrong with reaching out to other friends or family members to see if they have any great gift ideas.

In addition to finding inspiration, you might also be able to collaborate with these people to put together a gift that will make a bigger impression.

5. Use Your Talents

It’s easy to feel like you can’t give a great gift unless you’re able to spend a lot of money. This definitely doesn’t have to be the case, though.

Chances are, your friend doesn’t care how much money you spend on them. They just want to know that you care. And, what better way to show that you care than by using your talents to create something personal and unique.

Are you an expert knitter or sculptor? Do you write songs or poems?

Whatever your talents are, put them to work and use them to create a one-of-a-kind gift that your friend will cherish for years to come.

Not a crafty or artistic person? Remember, you don’t have to make a gift from scratch for it to be meaningful. Service goes a long way, too.

Maybe you can put your expert organization skills to work and spend a couple of hours cleaning out your friend’s closet or pantry. Don’t be afraid to get creative.

6. Consider Charitable Donations

Another unique gift option is to donate in their name to a charity they love.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a local animal shelter or a charity that is dedicated to a cause close to their heart.

A donation to one of these causes will help your friend make a difference. It will also show that you’ve been paying attention to the things that matter most to them.

7. Take a Trip Down Memory Lane

Finally, consider giving your friend the gift of a trip down memory lane.

You could frame a photo from a trip that the two of you took together.

Or, if you’ve been friends for a long time, maybe give them something that reminds them of your childhood — a game for an old console or a new version of a favorite board game, for example.

You can also do a bit of digging and find out more about memories that mean a lot to them. Then, find a way to preserve them.

For example, you could print a photo or commission a painting of their pet. Or, maybe you could buy them a nice frame for their college diploma. The options are endless!

Looking for More Smart Tips?

Put these smart tips to the test, and you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect gifts for your friends?

Do you want more gift-giving advice? Or more general lifestyle tips? Either way, you’re in luck!

You can find both in the useful tips section of our website. Check it out today.

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