How/where do you get gift ideas??

[Gemi33]

Hi

I really like Christmas and like to be organised but I really struggle to come up with gift ideas. I don’t really like wandering around the shops hoping to see something, I like to think and plan ahead. I don’t really have that many people to buy for but several of them, eg. Grandparents, dad etc are really difficult to buy for.

How do people get their gift ideas?

xx

Hi OP

I keep a little list in my phone and note things people say throughout the year (so current notes inc a new band my dad likes, a purse my mum said she wanted and a new wrestler my nephew has become a fan of) which helps with ideas.

I note peoples hobbies / interests / If they are a fan of a particular brand etc.

I hate wandering around shops without a plan so I shop online (I started for Christmas in August). I leave things in shopping baskets for weeks, using them as a base really, while I look at other sites to see if I can find something similar that is as good / better / cheaper.

I also use sites like not on the high street to give me ideas as they have sections of ideas based around hobbies etc. I don't always buy from there but it gives good gift inspiration!

Another one with a phone list here. I have a running list for all family members, of things they mention and things I see.

People or publications I follow on Twitter and Instagram are also a good source of inspiration. Style and culture sections of newspapers, too. There are usually some threads on here helping with ideas, including anniversary/birthday/valentines/father's Day ideas

Another phone list
And I try to listen to conversation with a view to the things they say being present ideas.

I think of it as problem solving. I try and notice what people are missing, struggling with or when they are hanging on to something old and tatty.
dn was stuffing a bottle of perfume into an evening bag so I got her a perfume pod
Mil has arthritis and was struggling with her heavy pottery milk jug, so I got her a light china one in a style that matched her tea cups.
Ddad’s jumper had a hole in the elbow. He got it in France on holiday ten years ago so I checked the make and got him a similar one online. He has a wardrobe full of new jumpers that he doesn’t wear and he was delighted to get a “right one”.
I got fil’s slide collection transferred to digital so he could see his old photos that were mouldering in a box in the attic.
DB got a longer charging cable so he wouldn’t have to lean over when he’s using his laptop on the sofa. He was a bit when he opened it but he called me a week later to tell me that I was a genius!
Dh got fisherman’s gloves with removable tips on finger and thumb for his night time photography on cold nights.

They’re not very festive presents, and all things that people could easily sort for themselves but for some reason don’t.