A good Christmas gift is something they will still be glad of in January. A stocking filler, a present under the tree and the one bigger thing are the same December and not the same budget. In Australia the day is usually hot and spent at a table or outside, so a gift built for a cold evening can miss even when the thought is right.
What the people on your list really want
The people you buy for every year already own the obvious things. A gift works when it fits a habit they already have, not when it only looks like Christmas. When you are buying for a lot of people, a small thing they will use beats a grand guess.
Before you choose, ask yourself
- How many people are you buying for?
- A stocking filler or the main present?
- Will they spend the break at home or away?
Christmas gift ideas
Stocking fillers
Small and specific beats a generic set: a , a or a . These suit anyone, so they're good for a long list.
Under the tree
A board game for the afternoon after lunch, a jigsaw puzzle for the slow days after, or a book box set for the holidays. Pick something the family can do together on Christmas afternoon.
For the break
For a summer outside, a for the beach, for the trip, or wireless earbuds for the drive. Australian Christmas is often spent outside, so gifts for the beach or a trip get used straight away.
For the cook
For whoever does Christmas lunch, a they will use all year. It's a thank-you for the person who cooks lunch.
Christmas gifts by person
- For Mum: something that fits a habit she already has. → Gifts for Mum
- For Dad: for the one who says he doesn't need anything. → Gifts for Dad
- For him and for her: partners, siblings and friends. → Gifts for him · Gifts for her
- For teens: things they'd pick themselves. → Gifts for teens
- For the office: small, useful and easy to like. → Secret Santa and Kris Kringle
Frequently asked questions
What's a good Christmas gift for someone who has everything?
Something they can use up, or a day out: a treat, an experience, or one nicer thing than they'd buy themselves.
How do I find gifts for the whole family quickly?
Do one person at a time: tell Pisto who it's for, what they're into and your budget, and you'll get a short list for each.