r/Gifts

My mom is impossible to shop for in the most mom way. She says she does not need anything, then complains about the same daily thing for six months and refuses to replace it because “it still works.” Right now that thing is her hair dryer. She uses hers every day, it sounds tired, and she keeps switching arms because it gets annoying before her hair is fully dry. A nicer one feels like it could be a good gift because it fits something she already does, not some random object she has to pretend to like.

But I also worry practical gifts can accidentally feel like giving someone a chore upgrade. I want it to feel thoughtful, not like “here is a household appliance, happy birthday.” For moms or people buying for moms, would this feel useful in a sweet way, or too practical?

Hey there community,

Husband’s birthday is approaching and silly me want to surprise him with a $1000 gift card. I don't know why even on Earth,I'm doing this.. I just want to manifest these $1000 gift card ... I am broke,literally have nothing on my bank.. Just living on his wages, recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.. If there's anything I can do to earn this amount before the 20th of this month...

;( pretty please, its the hormones

Byee

Hi everyone, 

I’ve been in Rome for work all week and my wife’s birthday was actually just a few days ago. I’ll be heading home soon and I’d really like to get her something nice, especially because I feel a bit guilty for being away. 

The problem is that I barely have any time to go around shops and look for things, so I thought I’d ask for some advice here. She really loves fashion, accessories, perfumes, unique things. I’m trying to find something she would genuinely like

Hi! This is my first time posting here and I need some advice.

My (21F) boyfriend’s (24M) family invited me on vacation with them! We’ve been together 4 months-ish, I’ve met his dad brother aunt and uncle before, but everyone else is new. It’s his dad, step mom, brothers, brother’s fiancée, aunt, and two uncles. They take a trip every summer to a new place and we’re going to New Mexico (I don’t think they’ve been before). I live in Chicago and they’re in southern US. We’re all staying at an Airbnb so it’s not their house, and they’re all flying to this destination. His dad and step mom planned it.

Now I know not to go to someone’s house without a gift, but it’s hard if they’re flying and only there for a week or so. Last time I brought chocolates from Chicago and then when I left brought them a plant.

Important, his family doesn’t drink so no wine or anything. Also, they’re picking us up at the airport so I can’t like uber to a flower shop before arriving to the house.

Any thoughts? Is a gift necessary? Thank you!!

I haven't seen them in 6 and half years. They went to China with there Mommy/my wife in January 2020 for Chinese new year. It was supposed to be 10 days but covid hit china closed then usa closed and I a combat veteran of 2 wars suffered a PTSD episode lost my job and had to sell the house. Now I regained employment saved up money bought another house and they are finally coming home. So I want to get them something. Thank you very very much from an old US Marine that has no idea what is cool.

My boyfriend’s birthday is coming up, and I feel like I’ve run out of ideas.

A little about him:
He’s a football player working towards going professional.
He loves cooking.
He’s really into chess.
He’s obsessed with frozen desserts, especially fro-yo and frozen fruit and anything healthy.

I thought about getting him a frozen yogurt machine, but the good ones are way over my budget, and the cheaper ones don’t seem worth it. Then I looked at ripped jeans because he’d mentioned wanting a pair, but I can’t find any good ones in his size.

I’d love to get him something thoughtful rather than just another generic gift.

What would you get someone like this? I’d especially love ideas that are a little unique or gifts that you’ve actually seen someone genuinely enjoy.

What are good gifts for a 35 year old man who loves these things? I am also trying to think of maybe a fun experience idea so I'm not just giving him stuff (we live in CO) but I'm on the struggle bus, clearly!

Looking for a few simple gifts for my daughter’s 16th birthday, unfortunately she doesn’t use most stuff like shoes or clothing gifted.

She’s a girly girl who likes country girl style, artistic and enjoys drawing, reading and doing her own lashes. Enjoys music, trying trendy viral snacks but I don’t have TikTok or IG so idk what’s trendy?!

i am looking for a really solid, practical gift for my sister and her husband who have three young kids and are completely overwhelmed by their daily schedule. between full time jobs and sports practices, they barely have any time to cook dinner and are relying way too much on fast food lately. i want to get them something that will genuinely make their lives easier and help them get quick meals on the table without a ton of effort.

i was thinking about getting them a nice air fryer or a versatile multi cooker, but i do not want to buy something that is just going to sit on their counter taking up space. they have a decent sized kitchen but they absolutely hate cleaning up extra dishes, so whatever i get needs to be super easy to wash and completely foolproof to use after a long day.

My high school friend and I got back in touch after her dad died. She died in January @ the age of 51.. I was so ill I couldn't go to the memorial. she was cremated. i sent flowers in her fav color and and angel vase. but to me it is not enogh. Since we were just back in touch for awhile I never met her kids and not sure what woukd be appropriate for each of them or the mom. i made a screen saver ( bc she loved the one i made when their dad died) and check in/support on her sister with text but yet to reach out to her mom, ,daughter, sons, partner. i asked the sister about jewelry colors but never get an answer back. i also, have no idea what they received .I want it to be a thoughtful memorable gift. i usually make hankiercheifs but time was a factor.

i am disabled with a low budget. i am really stuck.. I don't have pics of us anymore but found some of her on her memorial online.

i was thinking for the sons and partner making a light up jar.- a baby food glass jar and putting 51 pennies( yrs she was alive), spray the jar to be frosted with battery fairy lights inside. i will. decorate the top with black spray paint and plaid black white ribbon around the sides with a message about pennies from heave or a frame with a saying or pucture

i really stuck in what to do. I'd appreciate any help.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart

Hi everyone. Long story: on June 9, if my grandmother were still alive, we would celebrate her birthday together. She died on March 21st and I was her caregiver. My stomach was upside down, I also was emotionally empty but I called a taxi to go to the cemetery. Of all the drivers around here, I encountered one of the few that drove me to the hospital several times when she was there. I felt worse as you can imagine, then I visited her grave, placed a small gift and started crying.

I only wanted to go home and stay alone as much as possible while listening to music, but at the last second I went to a shop which owner is a friend. She told me to stay a bit and there was a girl, I wasn’t sure but I accepted her invite.

After a while I was feeling better overall and started talking more with A (the girl), that shares common interests, thoughts, personality traits and so on. Both introverted and shy but clicked way faster than I imagined, she also told me a personal problem regarding one of her female friends and we tried to analyze the situation. At some point she asked me twice (not in succession) to sit close to her as I was standing for too much time haha. :)

The shop owner also asked A and me to make a small errand together, it was fun and at the end I returned home 2 hours late.

My mind and heart now feels lighter and even though I had a few bad days, that situation turned out to be a lenitive balm. It was a strange day from start to finish, a rollercoaster of emotions and the “bridge” that connected every piece left me with no words.

I will cherish that strange, painful but also warm day with a smile. Sooner or later, still don’t know when, A and me will meet again at the same shop since both agreed to repeat the experience and then walk a bit more.

Friendship or something more, well’see what happen, but I definitely want to know her better so if everything goes well and she also agrees to exchange phone numbers, I would like to say “Thank you” with a small gift other than words.

She likes anime, psychology and learning languages just to list a few examples. Since she is originally from Philippines but grew up here in Europe, I think it would be cute to commission a crochet keychain version of the Sampaguita (*Jasminum sambac)* flower, which is the national flower of Philippines. ☺️

I need a unique birthday gift for someone who is very much a book lover, but buying an actual book feels risky. They either already own it, want a different edition, or have extremely specific taste that I respect but cannot predict. I was thinking a book nook or tiny library-style kit might be a sweet middle ground because it still fits the book world without guessing their next read. For people who like bookish gifts, would that feel thoughtful?

Or is there another gift idea that feels personal but not like “here is another mug with words on it”?

Hi, I'm 19 and I have to buy a birthday present for my 20yo boyfriend. I'm thinking of giving a gift based on the 5 senses, and I'm making different gifts for each sense. My biggest problem is hearing, as he doesn't have any favorite singers to give him a concert gift for, and he doesn't listen to much music to give him headphones, especially since he already has them. I previously gave him a Kingdom Hearts music box, so I have no idea. Could you help me? (He loves video games, manga, experiences, and many other things. You can ask. I have a budget of around €25 maximum.) For context, I'll list the other senses. What I've done: for sight, I got 2 artbooks (Jojo and Persona 5), ​​plus I'm taking him on a little trip. For smell, I got him a set of 3 Yankee Candle car fragrances and a Spiderman shower gel. For touch, a power bank, a felt portrait of us (which I'll make by hand), and some napkins (soft and strong, nice to say they're just like him). For taste, I'm planning on getting some original soju, some chocolates he loves, and something else Asian (he always loves trying new things).

I just found out my 93 year old grandma has never gotten a stocking so I want to get her one this year. What the heck am I supposed to put in it though? I’ll probably put scratch offs, maybe some soft socks, a gift card, nice bubble bath… but I want to put some thoughtful or fun things in there too and cannot think of anything.