Are you looking for a gift to brighten someone’s holiday season, but you’re unsure what to get them? How do you know what to get your older brother and his girlfriend who live far away from you? What about your best friend, who you can’t live without? Maybe even your long-distance boyfriend? Save your questions and look no further; this gift guide will help you find gifts for (almost) everyone in your life.
- Your mom who called you to catch up only three hours after you headed back to school after Thanksgiving break: a photo of you and her in a nice frame, like this one. If you want to be extra fancy, make a photo book.
- Your dad who always forgets your major but still likes to talk about your classes when he calls you: candy coal (for forgetting) but also a jigsaw puzzle of your dog — his favorite child.
- Your younger sister who makes the same dumb choices you did in high school: a monogrammed notebook (and some nice pens) to use as therapy (and to remember all the details to tell you).
- Your older sister who lives in New York City and only answers the phone half the time: this coffee table book about New York’s hidden landmarks or some fancy chocolates, like these penguin-shaped ones from L.A. Burdick.
- Your little sibling who misses you: this wooden peg game that everyone should own once in their life (and some sour candy, obviously).
- Your little brother who hasn’t aged beyond 11 in your eyes: the latest “Guinness Book of World Records” because it is incredibly funny. If he likes it, you can get him one next year, too.
- Your older brother who lives on the West Coast and has an oddly aesthetic Instagram: a funny tote bag with pickles or with a raccoon on it.
- Your cousin who you always had the best sleepovers with: Dolly Alderton’s “Everything I Know About Love” with a sweet inscription written on the first page and a promise to have a sleepover again soon.
- Your aunt who gives you money for Christmas: a New Yorker puzzle, the bookstore one, specifically.
- Your uncle who brings up politics at the dinner table: a Bob Ross paint-by-numbers to keep him thinking about happy little clouds.
- Your grandmother who makes the best cookies: a recipe book, so that one day you can try to replicate her cookies.
- Your grandfather who is in charge of barbecuing the Christmas ham: a Fenway Park candle and some vintage candy. Baseball hat ice cream bowls are another safe bet.
- Your new boyfriend whose hobbies are still a mystery to you: a funny hat and his favorite cologne.
- Your long-distance boyfriend who is a little too ready for marriage: a book of love letters and a mini succulent for his room.
- Your long-distance girlfriend who calls you every day: a book of tickets for some summer break date nights once you get to see each other and a Glossier lip balm.
- Your situationship who you’re just friends with but will still miss over break: a dream decoder (maybe he will ask you on a date) or a self-help book to help them figure life out.
- The Secret Santa or White Elephant gift you wish you didn’t have to give: a desktop game, like desktop pickleball — or a gift card for Tatte or Dunkin always works.
- Your roommate who wants to swap gifts: a line-a-day journal, like this one with a list to write each day.
- Your friend who skips class every day: a funny calendar so maybe they’ll remember what day it is (and what class they have).
- Your funny friend who always has a wild story for you: this funny mug (or this one) stuffed full of their favorite candy (which you know they’ll eat for breakfast in their next early-morning class).
- Your friend who you don’t remember meeting but you’re stuck with for life: a digital camera, socks with their face on them, or just dinner with you (which probably will happen anyways).
And remember, if you are ever truly at a loss for a gift, an Amazon or Starbucks gift card never hurt anyone. Best of luck in your holiday shopping for all the ultra-specific people in your lives.