Knowing what to buy for family and friends is particularly stressful during the holiday season. For one thing, you must consider the financial ramifications and know how to shop without decking the halls in credit card bills. For another, not everyone is easy to buy for; some people are so picky you may as well just gift wrap a receipt.  

Still, the holidays don’t need to come packaged in a giant box of frustration. Gift giving is much easier when you know where to start.\

Consider the following options:

Gift Certificates

For the impossible-to-please sibling or the mysterious mother-in-law, gift certificates are a wonderful solution. They feel a bit like a copout, but they’re practical, and oftentimes, what people prefer. If you know what someone likes, a special hobby or activity, buy a gift certificate applicable to that passion. 

Theater Tickets

With the world celebrating its grand re-opening, theaters are filling up once more and there are plenty of big-name performances coming down the pike. Most notably is Hamilton, which plays at the Buell in February and March. These tickets are quite pricey, so reserve them for the most important people in your life. They’re not exactly gifts you give your boss...unless you know you’re getting one heck of a raise.

Charity Donations

The holidays may be a time to throw an elbow on the way to grabbing the latest toy crae off a department store shelf, but more importantly, they’re also a time to help the less fortunate. If you’re buying a gift for someone altruistic, consider donating to a charity that supports a cause they care about. However, buyer beware, not all charities are as charitable as they claim to be. Sites like givewell.org and charitynavigator.org are nonprofits that evaluate the legitimacy of  charities, making sure your donation goes to someone truly in need rather than a CEO’s ski chalet in Aspen. 

Food, Glorious Food!

You can’t really go wrong with the gift of food, especially when shopping for people who enjoy the finer things in life. Cured on Pearl Street offers in-store shopping, online ordering, and delivery. Choose from gift boxes that include an assortment of cheeses, chocolates, beer, wine, meats, and cooking supplies. They sell gift cards, as well. 

Plants

Plants make an optimal holiday gift because they enliven a living space and enhance ambience while cleaning the air; they’re dually talented decor! Terracotta, also on Pearl Street, sells plants for a variety of skill levels and needs. They feature plants that are easy to care for, pet-friendly, and require low lighting, as well as plants for more advanced owners with true green thumbs. If you’re not sure what the recipient is looking for in a new foliage friend, consider a gift certificate.  

Things They Never Knew They Always Wanted

If you’re still not sure what to buy, consider getting creative and looking at products that the recipient never knew they wanted. A few ideas include a mug that keeps coffee warm, a body massager, or a toilet nightlight for when nature annoyingly calls at 12:00am.

Present buying is never easy; in a perfect world, magical elves up north would do all the hard work for us. But giving doesn’t need to mean getting an ulcer. The above tips can help maximize holiday joy and minimize gift returns. 

The Habitat Apartments is located in Gunbarrel with convenient access to anything your heart desires. We offer apartments and townhomes with private patios, a heated pool, outdoor kitchens, pet-friendly perks, and multiple floorplans to choose from. Contact us today to learn more.