A good gift for the man or woman who has everything is one they can use up, do or keep. They already own the gadget, the candle and the good pan, and if they wanted another they'd have bought it. So stop looking for a thing to add to the house and look for something that leaves it lighter: a treat, a day out, or one nicer thing they'd never pick for themselves.
What someone with everything really wants
Usually not more stuff. The people who are hardest to buy for tend to have the most settled lives, which means a gift that fits one of their routines beats a gift that needs a new shelf. Ask yourself what they enjoy but never splash out on. That's the gap.
It's also worth knowing which kind of person you're buying for. Some love an outing, some love being looked after, and some quietly love a good book on a wet afternoon. If you can't tell, a treat they can eat or burn is a safe bet, because nothing needs storing and nothing is wasted.
Before you choose, ask yourself
- What do they enjoy but never buy for themselves?
- Would they rather go out, or stay in?
- Is there something they'd like but think is too much?
Gift ideas for someone who has everything
Something to do
An outing gives you the memory without the clutter. A suits someone who loves their city and their lunch, a day on a is a proper day out, a suits the one who looks up, and a is a slow day with a view. Pick a date that suits you both and go together if you can.
Something to use up
The gift that disappears is never a problem to store. A and a tea gift set are small, warm and easy to share, a fills the house for a few evenings, and a spa gift basket hands them a night off.
Nicer than they would buy
Choose one good thing over three adequate ones. A sits in a room they already love, a gives them something beautiful to leave out, and a is a favourite story in a form they'd never pay for themselves.