Gift Buying Tips for (Almost) Every Occasion

It’s been said gift giving originated with the Romans; they gave gifts of evergreen branches and then later cakes and honey to signify sweetness and prosperity in the New Year. Today, gifts have progressed far past tree branches and sweets, and with so many different occasions to consider as well. And to add more madness in the gift giving customs, you also have to consider the various people and the level of closeness of those you have to buy gifts for.

While gift giving can be a chore for most, it doesn’t have to be. If you’ve ever wondered what to get your mother-in-law for Mother’s Day, your grandpa on Christmas, or your cousin’s kid on his Christening; you’re not alone. Read on to get various gift giving tips for (almost) every occasion.

Birthdays and Christmas, the once a year obligatory gift giving occasions, oftentimes are the most difficult. For one, you have to keep track of what you’ve given in the past, all the while being creative and inventive.

Birthday and Christmas gift ideas:

Mom - Choose items mom will cherish and use, such as jewelry with her children’s birthstones, or monogrammed items like towels or stationary. A great resource website for presents for moms (and original gifts in general) is Redenvelope.com. You can shop by occasion, and while the gifts often featured are jewelry (which is tricky to shop for mom, unless you know her style and preferences), they feature useful items like nifty kitchen ware and seasonal clothing and accessories.

Dad - Go practical with your father’s gift, as random knick knacks and t-shirts that say “Number 1 Dad” don’t get much use. Think of items he can use at the office, home or leisure, such as a desk organizer, drink decanter, or a passport wallet. Also, try to select items that feed into his hobbies and/or pastimes.

Grandparents - It’s a decent idea to give a joint gift for couples, especially if you select something you know both of them will enjoy (or if you get something generic that at least the woman will appreciate). Choose items that either have sentimental value or are practical for everyday use. Music and movies from their youths to slippers to an American Red Cross FR1000 Voicelink Radio are safe picks.

Siblings - In theory, shopping for your sibling should be easier because a) the age difference is less than that of your parents and grandparents signifying the likelihood of having more in common, and b) chances are you’re in constant contact with them. I suggest to shop at their favorite store or purchase a brand they favor. If in the end they don’t quite like the gift, you can play the “Oh, but it’s your store/brand” card, and at the very least you’ll look like you’re observant. Keep it real with gift cards, and in the amount you would have spent on an actual present. (A bit on the impersonal side, yes, but I don’t know how many times I’ve heard twenty and thirty-somethings preferring a gift card to a present they will never use.)

Significant Other - Hard to find that special gift that says, “I love you”, or “I care about you” without appearing super cheesy. Perhaps you didn’t read my previous Ploomy article, “Give Her What She Really Wants for Valentine’s Day”? The article suggests going with non-traditional gifts for Valentine’s Day (straying away from the lingerie, flowers and chocolates). Such gifts mentioned in the article like massage/spa gift certificates, specialty gift baskets loaded with her favorite things, and a gift that donates of portion of the sale to a charitable cause can work for birthday and Christmas presents too.

Significant Other’s Parents/In-Laws - Shopping for your significant other’s parents or in-laws is a tough one, especially when you’re still getting to know each other. Selecting safe and generic items won’t be frowned upon much in this gift giving instance. If you select a gift for them as a couple perhaps serving platters or other house wares used for entertaining guests are options. Gift baskets and books including novels, cook books or standard coffee table books are other safe bets.

Friends - If you have to read a gift tips article on what to buy for your friend for their birthday or Christmas, then maybe you shouldn’t even be buying them a present. All kidding aside, consider your friends interests, values and obsessions, and select gifts with those in mind. Perhaps, in your latest conversation he/she mentioned he/she is considering a trip to Spain in the spring. A perfect gift could be a Spanish/English dictionary and a neat toiletry bag with tons of compartments.

Co-workers - Unless you’re super close with your co-workers or there’s a “Secret Santa” or group gift that’s initiated in the office, gift exchange between co-workers is not necessary. Greeting cards or a celebratory lunch usually will suffice, or consider a Starbuck’s gift card for your coffee-fiend co-worker, or Trader Joe’s gift card for the health nut in the office.

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gift giving customs are very much like that of birthdays and Christmases. However, in addition, take note that both Mother’s and Father’s Day fall right before summer, which means there will be a lot of seasonal items out in stores. Perhaps your mother loves to garden—there will be lots of summer and fall blooming plants and flowers out at the nurseries. Likewise, fishing and camping gear for your outdoorsy dad will be on sale, even a month or so before Father’s Day.

Weddings are a plentiful in your 20’s and 30’s. Generally, it’s best to select a gift from the couple’s registry, as they don’t want to receive duplicates and/or random, unnecessary items. Purchasing ahead of time and having it mailed to them is most favorable, so there’s less for the family to lug around on the wedding day, and easier for you too cause you don’t have to worry about making the package look presentable. Consider going in with a few others to purchase larger, more expensive items, or giving a gift certificate from one of the stores the couple is registered. Personal checks work too, as it can both help underwrite the wedding and start their savings together.

Anniversaries are another tough occasion. Do you follow the traditional or modern anniversary gift ideas guide (you know paper for 1st anniversary, cotton for 2nd, leather for 3rd…)? Wife- Unless your honey is very set in the traditional ways, it’s best to do what works for you two as a couple. Communicate about expectations and maybe suggest a themed gift or a price limit. You’ll be spending the rest of your life with this woman; do you really want to go all out one year and have to top that year after year? All else fails, a little getaway makes for a great anniversary present (relive that wild honeymoon!). Girl friend- If your girl is into celebrating dating milestones, I suggest also communicating expectations. Safe gifts include, a romantic dinner, a heartfelt card (with a personal inscription too), and something meaningful that relates to your relationship (e.g. baseball tickets to remind her of the 2-hour long conversation you had on your first date about the Oakland A’s over the San Francisco Giants). Parents/in-laws- They shouldn’t always expect a grandiose present for EVERY anniversary, as those celebrations are usually reserved for 25, 30, 35 and so on, but a nice card and treating them to a nice dinner is a perfect gesture.

Baby parties soon follow all those weddings. If you’re new to attending these parties, here’s a list of baby party gift ideas:

Baby Shower - Nowadays parents register for baby showers, so that’s super helpful to both parties involved. Again, try not to stray from the registry, however, if you do want to; choose clothing for up to 12 months. Clothing is always safe, and babies go through so many changes a day, one baby can’t have enough onesies and/or everyday outfits. Christening- Unless you know the parents well, the easiest and safest gift is cold hard cash. At this point, within a few months, the baby will outgrow every piece of clothing or toy you purchase. Cash is usually favorable for it’s easy to dump into a savings account for the lil tike. Birthday- The baby’s first birthday is a biggie—think bouncy castle, entertainers, fab goodie bags, and tons of guests, food and presents! Like baby showers, often parents’ put a baby wish list that includes their favorite cartoon characters and clothing and shoe size. If not, don’t be afraid to ask.

These tips may appear very standard and simple, but that’s what gift giving should be. Unless you really know the person and can be creative and intricate; a simple, well thought out gift is most welcomed. While shopping, ask yourself, “Will so and so appreciate and use this?” Also, remember whenever possible, stick to gift registries—they exist for a reason! All else fails, it’s the thought that counts, right?