The holidays are an expensive and busy time of year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give thoughtfully. The best process for giving gifts is to think about the recipient’s interests and pick a theme surrounding that interest. For example, if you have a friend who is a die-hard coffee lover, you could buy them a bag of their favourite coffee grounds, a caramel latte syrup, and a unique mug and spoon set in their favourite colour. It’s not about the money—it’s about the intention. If you can identify their interests, they are guaranteed to love the gift(s) you give them.

Your Boyfriend/Hubby

Nobody said you can’t buy experiences! There’s a 99.9% chance your partner is into sports, so think about their favourite sport and team, and if you can, buy two tickets to see a game. Even if it’s not your cup of tea, your partner will appreciate the effort you put into getting them something that they can look forward to. 

If you have managed to find someone who isn’t big on sports (lucky you, in the 0.01%), take them to a concert or comedy show. Research when their favourite artist or comedian is touring your city or a nearby one, and buy tickets to the show—plus a hotel if needed.

Your Girlfriend/Wife

Oops, you just missed your chance with the Eras Tour tickets…and while nothing will drive her as crazy as Taylor Swift tickets, a romantic getaway at a beautiful spa like the Scandinave Spa in Blue Mountain is a close second. If your partner isn’t the spa-type, perhaps they’d enjoy seeing the Ballet. The National Ballet of Canada puts on shows throughout the year, as does the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-lake. 

Pro Tip: Print out a receipt for the tickets and put it in a card or wrap it up so that they still have something to open and can mark their calendars for the upcoming date. 

In-laws

If your in-laws drink, you can never go wrong with a good bottle of wine–or two, especially if they are hosting Christmas. If they don’t drink, visit your local bakery and custom order a box of their favourite desserts, whether it’s shortbread, gingerbread, or another treat they love. Again, the key is to choose something you know they’ll appreciate. 

Mom/Aunts/Grandmothers/Sisters

These are the women we love dearly, and we need to show them our appreciation for all they do. Pick a theme based on their personality and curate a beautiful wicker gift basket.

• The Host: Start with a charcuterie board and add fun ingredients like a prepared soup mix, a cute kitchen towel, and lemon-scented soap for their kitchen. Include candlesticks to decorate their dining table or linen napkins, a tablecloth, placemats, or coasters in their favourite color or theme.
• The Gardener: Include a watering can, seeds, a canvas garden apron, a pot and saucer, trimming scissors, garden twine, garden gloves, a weeding fork and a digging shovel. 
• The Self-Care Enthusiast: Treat them to ultimate relaxation with bath bombs made with clean ingredients, a gift card to a spa or nail salon, and calming essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus. Add a luxurious face mask, cozy slippers, and high-quality hand-poured candles to complete their self-care experience.
• The Active One: Choose a pickleball set, or a yoga mat. Then add a cute workout top, or bala bangles to use as weights for at-home workouts.  

Dad/Uncles/Grandfathers/Brothers

If there is one thing for certain, it’s that these men golf. Gift them a golf range finder to help them measure distances to the hole and improve their swing. Plus, if they lose their ball, the range finder can help locate it. 

Kids/Nieces/Nephews

Let’s face it, kids spend too much time on the internet. A great way to get them off of it is to get them burying their nose in a book. No matter their age, books allow them to learn and explore. Pick a book based on their age and interests:

• Babies and Toddlers – Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.
• Young Kids (4–8) – Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.
• Preteens (9–12)  – Choose adventure or fantasy novels like Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan or Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling.
• Teens (13–18) – For teens interested in financial literacy, try a beginner-friendly book like A Teenager’s Guide to Investing in the Stock Market by Luke Villermin, or a coming-of-age tale like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han. Even books about hobbies, such as How to Bake Everything by Mark Bittman for budding bakers.

For kids who REALLY won’t read, opt for something hands-on. If they enjoy arts and crafts, give them a paint set with canvases. If they play a sport regularly, choose something related to that sport, like a new hockey stick or equipment for their favourite game.

Your Boss

You want to show thoughtfulness without overstepping boundaries. If you know their favorite restaurant, a gift card to it is always a safe, appreciated choice.

Jackie Marson | Contributing Writer