We Asked If You Needed Help Finding Holiday Gifts. 1,607 People Responded.
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The trouble with wanting to give someone the perfect gift is that first you have to find the perfect gift. The search can be fun, at the beginning. You think of everything you know about the person, what they love and what they need, and where those two might intersect. You check out curated lists of the best gifts fordads,moms,kids,teens,tweens,co-workers,gamers,tool-lovers,hikers, andpriests.
But sometimes, despite all that work, you still can’t findthe perfect gift. That’s why we offered to help. Just before Thanksgiving, we asked ournewsletter subscribersto tell us who they were having trouble finding a great gift for, what that person was like, and how much they wanted to spend. More than 1,600 readers responded, asking for help finding gifts for moms, dads, and grandmas. For conservative uncles and 2-year-olds that like throwing rocks. For a 16-year-old daughter who likes hoodies, soccer, discord, and music.
Below are our gift picks for 79 of the 1,607 challenging giftees you sent in. We’re sorry that we couldn’t help everyone, but for those of you who didn’t get specific answers, hopefully these will provide the inspiration that you need. (If they do not, we suggest visiting our 2019 gift-guidehubfor many, many more ideas.)
‘My30-somethingfiancéwho’sintobaking,hiking,cycling,beginnercarpentry,andreading.’Budget:$100-200
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‘Mylongtimepartner/girlfriendof11years,whomIwanttoproposeto,andwho’sintoamodernengagementringingold,withanunderstateddiamondorotherjewel,andmaybekindofartsy.’Budget:$3,000
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‘Mywife,who’sintotheProcreateapp.’Budget:$250
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‘My18-year-oldnephew,who’sinto…Idon’tknow!’Budget:$25
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It’s a little more than $25. But he’ll love it!
‘My17-year-oldsonwholikesspicypotatochips.’Budget:$20
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‘Mydaughterwho’sintolong-distancehiking.’Budget:$200
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‘My27-year-olddaughterwholikescats,cheese,concerts,andstorage.’Budget:$100
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Order the cheese and put it in this basket, which she can later use for storage!
Order the cheese and put it in this basket, which she can later use for storage!
‘Myhusbandwho’sintotech,film,music,theoutdoorsandweed.’Budget:Less$$$thanatranseuropeanflight.
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‘My23-year-oldgirlfriendwhoisoriginallyfromtheUpperWestSideofManhattanandlikesdesignerclothing,eatingfood,herdog,allthingsHarryPotter,horrormovies,andthecolorblack.’Budget:$200
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‘Mymomwho’sintocoffee,live-laugh-lovepaintings,andfamily.’Budget:$150
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‘Mysisterwholikesclothesandcooking,andisallergictoeverything’Budget:$100
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‘My12and15-year-oldgranddaughterswhoenjoycooking,swimming,music,photography,dogs,andcats.’Budget:$100(each)
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‘My34-year-olddaughterwitheclectictastewholikesrainbows,sparkles,andhigh-endclothing.’Budget:$400
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‘MychildhoodfriendwhomIhaven’tseensinceIwas13.Shejusthadadoublemastectomyandlikesthecolorgreen,travel,andparties.’Budget:$50
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Breast cancer survivorHil Moss told the Strategist that button-down shirts are an essential part of herpost-operation wardrobe. She noted that Madewell’s shirts are “comfortable and stylish,” and we think this one (in green) could be worn on a plane, or to a party—plus, it’s on sale.
Breast cancer survivorHil Moss told the Strategist that button-down shirts are an essential part of herpost-operation wardrobe. She noted that Madewell’s shirts are “comfortable and stylish,” and we think this one (in green) could be worn on a plane, or to a party — plus, it’s on sale.
‘Mybrotherwholikespot,andvaping.’Budget:$50
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A few dollars over budget for this artisan-made one hitter.
‘My38-year-oldbrotherwho’sinto’80sand’90snostalgia.’Budget:$75
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‘Myboyfriendwholikesbaking,sports,andpublictransit.’Budget:$100
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‘Myassistantwho’sintobeingpoliticallycorrectandfindingherpurpose.’Budget:$50
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‘Mybook-lovingfriendwho’sintoplants,crystals,andessentialoils.’Budget:$50
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‘Mysisterwhojustmovedintoanewapartmentwithherboyfriendandlikesminimalistdesign.’Budget:$100
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Hay Jug
‘Myfiancéwholikesuntuckedshirts.’Budget:$200
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‘Mymother-in-lawwhoenjoysdecoratingherhouse.’Budget:$50
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‘Mygirlfriendwho’sintocomputers,cooking,andwoodworking.’Budget:$100
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‘Mymotherwholikestruffles,fancyoliveoil,andgreatbread.’Budget:$50
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‘My30-year-oldbrotherwholovestheKetodietandhisinfantdaughter.’Budget:$80
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Magic Spoon Variety Pack
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Editor’s note: the small version of the lamb will be back in stock December 18, but you can buy the large version now.
‘Mywifewho’sintoskincare.’Budget:Sky’sthelimit
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‘My27-year-olddaughterwholivesinLosAngelesandisintoskincare.’Budget:$200
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‘Mygirlfriendwho’sintocandles.’Budget:$100
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‘My10-year-oldsonwho’sintovideogames,’80sTVshows,basketball,sportsuniformsofallkinds,anddidImentionvideogames?’Budget:$150
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‘Mydadwho’sinto…notalot,butmaybejournalism?’Budget:$50
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‘Mywifewhowouldlikeawarm,waterproofcoat.’Budget:$200-600
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‘My26-year-oldtwinsisterwhoisabouttogointomedicalresidencyandlikescozythings,thecolorgray,giantsweaters,RyanMurphyshows,minimalism,lookingcute,andskincare.’Budget:$50
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‘Myboyfriend’smotherwholikes…Idon’tknow.’Budget:$30
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‘My2-year-olddaughterwho’sintotrucks,DanielTiger,andElmo.’Budget:$50
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‘My19-year-oldsonwho’sintohipsterminimalism,entrepreneurialpursuits,andweightlifting.’Budget:$500
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‘My3-year-oldsonwholikescars,trains,andplanes.’Budget:$50
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‘Myco-workers,all25ofthem(help!),whoareintomusicandlifehacks,orwouldlikesomethingthatmakesthemgiggleorhelpsthemprepfor2020.’Budget:$5(each)
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‘My55-year-oldsisterwhojustlost100pounds,hasaPhDinreligion,andisamarathonrunner.’Budget:$222
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‘Myhusbandwholikestogolf.’Budget:Whatever
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Arccos Smart Sensors (GEN 3+)
‘Mybosswholikes…Ihavenoidea.’Budget:$100
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Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager - Black
‘My7-year-oldniecewho’sintoL.O.L.dolls.’Budget:$40
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‘Mymother-in-lawwholikesanythingthatOprahorDr.Ozendorses.’Budget:$150
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Orolay Thickened Down Jacket
‘Mymotherwhohasnohobbies,butisinterestedinbooksaboutslavery.’Budget:$100
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‘Myhusbandwhoisobsessedwithboardgames…butIdonotwanttobuyanymoreofthose.’Budget:$200
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‘Myfriendwho’sintobiking,theoutdoors,cooking,podcasts,women’shealth,dancing,andsocialjustice.’Budget:$40
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‘My2-year-oldsonwholikesthrowingrocksintowater.’Budget:$40
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‘My65-year-olddadwho’sintomotorcycles,eating,andscotch.’Budget:$100
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‘Ateengirlinmylifewho’sintoquirkydesign.’Budget:$200
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‘Mydaughterwho’sintolookingprofessionalandsocialissues.’Budget:$100
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‘My15-year-olddaughterwhoenjoysdriving,skincare,andphotography.’Budget:$100
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‘Mysisterwho’sintobeingpregnant.’Budget:$50
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‘Mywife(wejustgotmarried)who’sintoTrueCrime,DoctorWho,Astronomy,theSims,andmakingbooks.’Budget:$25-100
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‘Myhusbandwholikesworkingout,deerhunting,BigGreenEggproducts,andtheWhole30Diet(he’sannoying).’Budget:$20-150
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‘Mygrumpyfather-in-lawwhoenjoysfishing,hunting,food,cheapbeer,andcomplaining.’Budget:$100
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‘Mysister-in-lawwholikescheeseandfashion.’Budget:$100
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‘My12-year-oldsonwho’sintocricket,coolfashion,andsports.’Budget:$300
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Vans Old Skool Sneakers
‘My24-year-olddaughterwholikesaestheticsplusfunctionality.’Budget:$500
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‘Myhusbandwhoenjoysbeardcare.’Budget:$100
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‘Mybasicandsnobbysister-in-lawwho’sintomakeup,cooking,Judaica,andracquetball.’Budget:$50
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The Jewish Museum sellsthe same knifein a really nice pink handle, if that’s more her speed.
‘MyfriendswhohaveahobbyfarmandlikeCBD,goats,andtarotcards.’Budget:$100
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The Astrology of Love & Sex
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‘My76-year-oldunclewhoisapriest.’Budget:$40
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One of eight gifts recommendby and for priests.
‘My104-year-oldmotherwhoenjoyssweets.’Budget:$25
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It’s a little more than $25. But she deserves it!
A little more than $25, but she deserves it.
‘Mycooltweendaughterswhoareintoboardgames,fashion,pets,knitting,sports,chillingathome,YouTube,socialmedia,music,beauty,reading,tech,andtweenstuff.’Budget:$150
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New! You can now save this product for later.
‘Mygirlfriendwho’sintocooking,workingout,travel,skiing,andwine.’Budget:$300
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‘Mygirlfriendwhomentionedthatshewantsjewelry,andhasbeenwearingearringsandringsmoreoften.’Budget:$100
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‘My60-year-oldhusbandwho’sintobikingandvideogames.’Budget:$200
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‘Mywifewhoenjoysbaking.’Budget:$200
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‘Mygirlfriendwho’sintocashmere.’Budget:$200-400
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‘My16-year-oldsonwho’sintoGrandTheftAuto,CallofDuty,ping-pong,TheOffice,andSouthPark.’Budget:$200
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‘Mydadwholikesrunning,hiking,wearinghikingclothesevenwhenhe’sjustgoingtothestore,pretendinghedoesn’tlovemymom’scat,readingonhisKindle,watchingsports,listeningtooldschoolrock,cooking(butnothingtoofancy),publicradio,andbeingagoof.’Budget:$150-200
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‘Mysupercoolyoungerbrowho’sintothegym,goingout,andbeinghipster…butnottoohipster.’Budget:$100
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‘Mylongtermboyfriendwholikestools.’Budget:$300
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‘Mywifewhoenjoysbasketball,theoutdoors,hiking,workingout,andfamily.’Budget:$150
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‘My13-year-olddaughterwho’sintoVSCO.’Budget:$100
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Amazon ins running low on smaller sizes, but Zappos seems to have them all, and it includes free shipping.
Editor’s note: Amazon seems to be running low on small sizes, but Zappos has them all (and free shipping).
‘My11-year-olddaughterwholikesslime,Roblox,andreading.’Budget:$30
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‘Myverylazydogwho’sintobirds!’Budget:None.
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‘My13-year-oldsonwho’sintoXbox,cars,fish,andfishing.’Budget:$350
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‘My33-year-olddaughterwholikestheBible,hercats,andcomfort.’Budget:$100
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‘My11-year-oldniecewho’sinto…Ihavenoidea.’Budget:$40
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The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestacne treatments,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,natural anxiety remedies, andbath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
