Finding just the right gift for that special someone can be a joy, but then there's that one problem person on your list, so difficult to shop for. What to buy for the friend who seems to have everything, the spouse who says “I don't need anything” or the shopaholic sister who really just buys it all herself? It can be tempting to fall back on the commonplace choices, like a bottle of wine or a scented candle, or just give in and give a gift card. But the real art of gift-giving is in really tuning into your gift recipient's personality, style, and interests. With a little creativity and a few of the following gift ideas, gifting even the most difficult to shop for person in your life will be a breeze.
Check out these fun and innovative gift ideas. One of these unique gift suggestions is sure to be the perfect solution to your gift-giving dilemma.
Make Your Own Hot Sauce Kit for a Difficult to Shop for Person
For the foodie friend who likes it hot, a set of hot sauces is nice, but nothing beats mixing up their own special hot sauce creations. They'll have a blast mixing up six small-batch sauces, with all ingredients including dried peppers and spices, bottles, and a recipe booklet included. Nice extra: the included blank labels let your giftee tag their handiwork with a fun name. Pick up this Make Your Own Hot Sauce Kit for $42.00 at Uncommon Goods.
Cozy Buffalo Check Plush Heated Throw
Give your giftee a warm hug all winter long with a cozy plush heated throw, $69.95 from the Vermont Country Store. Made of soft fleece in a trendy red and black buffalo check, the throw has six heat settings and a 10-hour automatic shut-off.
Kodak Portable Instant Photo Printer
Who doesn't have a phone full of photos, waiting to be organized and downloaded? Your lucky giftee can easily print their favorite selfies from mobile devices with this Bluetooth printer, $134.99 at Amazon. The accompanying free app allows for editing and decorating with stickers, frames, and filters, and is compatible with both Android and iOS.
Cherished Handwritten Recipe Plate
Preserve a cherished family recipe in your loved one's own handwriting. The gorgeous hand-decorated 10 x 14-inch platter is dishwasher and microwave safe. This sentimental favorite is a lovely gift for $38.00 on Etsy.
Cool Custom Cartoon Portrait for a Difficult to Shop for Person
Do you have a princess or mermaid wannabe on your gift list? This one-of-a-kind custom cartoon portrait will be a hit. Order a single portrait, or include a significant other, per, or the entire family. The cartoon portrait is available as a download on Etsy starting at $29.99 gift If you prefer, add the portrait to a t-shirt, mug, tote, pillow, or poster.
Glass Topper Cocktail Smoker
This is the perfect gift for the cocktail enthusiast who has everything. The sophisticated mixologist in your life will enjoy making smoke-infused spirits. The smoker kit includes a torch and smoking chips made from a blend of tea, wood, and spices. You'll find this unique cocktail experience at Uncommon Goods for $100.
Tea Bomb Gift Set
This gift set of handmade tea bombs is much more than tea, it's a work of art for the tea connoisseur. Four brightly-hued tea bombs each contain Darjeeling peach green tea, Earl Grey black tea, pineapple hibiscus white, and tropical herbal tea. Just add water. Check these out for $32.00 at Uncommon Goods.
My Hometown Map Puzzle for a Difficult to Shop for Person
Capture your gift recipient's hometown, favorite vacation locale, or another memorable locale with this 400-piece jigsaw puzzle. It can be custom-made for any address in the United States. Sweet extra; home is represented by a house-shaped puzzle piece. Order it for $49.95 at L.L. Bean.
Birthstone Ornament
These beautiful ornaments are hand blown from recycled glass by Kitras Art Glass. Each piece is inspired by the colors of a traditional birth month gemstone, making it a special choice for your gift recipient. These unique ornaments can be hung indoors or outdoors. Available for $26.00 at Grommet.
Custom Bobblehead
So fun! Capture the essence of your favorite friend with a custom bobblehead doll, $79.50, and up at Etsy. These adorable figures are available styled as athletes, superheroes, and a wide array of professions, so there is one just right for virtually everyone on your shopping list.
Gourmet Grilled Cheese Crate for the Difficult to Shop for Person
If you are shopping for the man who has everything, look no further than Man Crates for unique boxed gifts with snacks, jerky, barware, and even personalized onesies. Prep some luscious cheesy bites with this Gourmet Grilled Cheese Crate The set includes a non-stick basket, chopper/scraper, caramelized onion and maple confit, hot pepper bacon jam, and pesto aioli, all packed in a sealed wooden crate. Find it for $59.99 at Man Crates.
Choose Your Own Sweet Treats
You're not sure exactly what they like, so why not just let them choose for themselves? Everyone loves candy, so email them a Sugarwish. Just pick a size (starting at $22.00 on Sugarwish) add a personal gift message and hit send. Your gift recipient then gets to choose from over 70 types of candy on the Sugarwish online store, every sweet dream from gummies to chocolates and jelly beans, and much more. Or choose to gift a selection of cookies, coffee and tea, nuts and snacks, or, for the pet lover, dog treats.
Give the Gift of Art: The Billion Dollar Art Gallery
Plugin the Billion Dollar Art Gallery USB drive and transform your giftee's television screen into an art gallery. More than 500 works of art are displayed in high definition. The Billion Dollar Art Gallery comes packaged in a solid maple wood gift box. Select this gift for $39.99 on Amazon.
Fun Burrito Blanket for a Difficult to Shop for Person
Gift this fun, super-soft flannel blanket inspired by your favorite food. Also available as a giant pizza, apple pie, avocado, or waffle. The 72-inch blanket is machine washable. Find it for $29.99 at Amazon.
