Christmas is coming, and all too often that means giving and receiving well-intentioned but fundamentally useless garbage wrapped in pretty paper. Let's not be part of the problem.
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People who play sports, hunt, camp, hike, run a home woodworking shop, fix cars, or otherwise do stuff where equipment matters are often a picky bunch. The simplest option is a gift card to a local store so they can get something they've had their eye on. Trust me, we all have things we want but can't justify buying quite yet, or just need to resupply stuff that gets used up over time.
In my experience, buying gifts for adults is always a challenge even if I know their hobbies and interests. We live in a time of excess stuff in general, especially cheap junk that fills our homes until it fills landfills. But if you want to give someone something directly, here are some general tips.
Buy name brand
Christmas gifts are not the time for false economy. Don't cheap out on a bargain bin knockoff, and definitely don't buy from Wish, Temu, Alibaba, or other sketchy Chinese websites. Avoid Amazon products with bizarre brand names and wordy titles. Brands that have stood the test of time by building a reputation for quality are usually a good bet.
If they enjoy arts and crafts, tabletop games, or other hobbies, name-brand products can sometimes be less important. If someone plays Warhammer, though, you probably need to know what army they use and then find out what's in their list. Consult the clerk at your local game shop and buy a special character model, perhaps. And keep the receipt for them just in case you chose incorrectly.
Avoid gimmicks
When I last went shopping, I saw not only the "As Seen On TV" display, but even an "As Seen On Social Media." I know there are people who love their Ronco Pocket Fisherman, Slap Chop vegetable processors, or the like, but if "but wait, there's more!" is part of the pitch, just say no. Don't trust a product because they have a late-night infomercial or bought ad time from a social media influencer.
Don't be swayed by piece counts, either. Whether tools or first-aid kits, if quantity is used as a main selling point, assume quality has suffered. Similarly, unless it's a Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife (the genuine articles, not knockoffs, remember), the more functions something claims, the more you should probably avoid it.
Consider giving experiences
Doing something new might be as good as getting something new. Especially in our new emerging post-COVID world, attending a public event or joining a group activity is still often a special occasion. Why not consider tickets to a race or a concert, a skeet and trap club training class, a state park pass, or equipment rental and a lift ticket for the local ski resort? If someone needs more rest and relaxation, gift certificates for a massage therapist or reservations at a hot springs resort might be a welcome gesture.
Nostalgia
We're facing hard times economically, and I expect matters to grow worse over time in the near future. Sometimes the best gifts distract from the difficulties of economic distress, political conflict, and social division. At least for millennials, we are seeing corporations lean into re-releasing products from their childhood and polishing up their classic intellectual properties. If someone is a fan of pop culture or iconic toys, why not bring back memories of good times in the past?
Precious Metals
In addition, if we are facing rough times ahead as I cynically anticipate, perhaps a gift that will grow in value might be in order. Not everyone is ready for crypto yet, but most cultures around the world connect with precious metals. Why not give an interesting silver coin? Silver proofs from their birth year or an important anniversary, perhaps. Many also have interesting art which can connect with the recipients favorite animal or hobby, like the Vienna Philharmonic for a music lover.
Conclusions?
If you want to buy someone something useful, find a quality tool that does one thing extremely well. That will be used and cherished for years. If you want to buy someone something for pure enjoyment, consider offering a new experience or a way to remember old joy. Giving truly good gifts is difficult, so don't be afraid to stick to gift certificates,cash, or neat precious metal coins. And no, this is definitely not just an elaborate wishlist for myself. 😉
