What Kind of Gifts Should You Give? Thoughtful Ideas for Adults

As we get older, we start giving and receiving more gifts—not just for birthdays and holidays, but for thank-you's, congratulations, and small gestures of care. The usual suspects? Tea, cookies, and towels. Practical, yes. But personal? Not always.

That got me thinking about personalized gifting—what it means to really give something with that person in mind.

🌿 Experience-Based Gifts

• Afternoon tea voucher

• Ballet class voucher

• Nail salon  voucher

Giving experiences creates memories—and doesn’t add clutter to anyone’s home.

✨ Consumable & Easy-to-Enjoy Gifts

• A beautifully scented hand soap

• A bouquet of fresh flowers

• High-quality olive oil or specialty vinegar

• Aromatic bath salts or bath bombs

• Locally made jam or honey

• Mini box of luxury chocolates

These are easy to enjoy, don’t take up long-term space, and can be used up (no guilt if they’re re-gifted, either!).

💡 Tailored-to-You Gifts

• A book on a topic they’ve talked about

• A candle in a scent they once mentioned loving

• A bottle of their favorite wine or liqueur

• A travel-sized skincare item from a brand they like

These gifts say: we listened. We noticed.

How I Choose Gifts That Actually Land

When I pick a gift, I always ask myself a few questions:

• Will it be hard to carry or store?

• If they don’t want it, is it easy to pass it on to someone else?

• Would I be happy to receive it myself?

And most importantly, I keep a little note on my phone where I jot down gift ideas throughout the year—random comments, favorite brands, or things someone mentioned in passing.

Final Thought

You don’t have to give the “perfect” gift. - You just have to give a considered one.

A little bit of attention goes a long way—and often, that’s the gift people remember most.