There’s no right or wrong way to feel about gift-giving. After all, it’s not simply about whether you enjoy it or not – factors such as your financial situation, available time and personal circumstances can all play a part. But even for someone who loathes giving gifts, it’s fairly simple if you’re buying for someone you’re close to or know well. 

The problem comes with buying gifts for someone like a work colleague or an acquaintance that you see less often. Of course, despite spending less time with them, you want to buy them something they’ll use, and something they’ll appreciate. But equally, how much money should you be spending on someone you wouldn’t say you’re close with? In this article, we will discuss how to choose a gift for someone you don’t know well.

Read: The Perfect Gifts To Get Your Fashion-Obsessed Friend

Speak To Someone Close to Them

If you’re looking for a gift that’s guaranteed to be loved, the best method to find out what they’re interested in is to ask someone they’re close to – like a family member or close friend. It’s a good idea to set yourself a budget in your head, and approach the individual in their inner circle with this cost in the back of your mind.

 You could even prompt them to suggest items within a specific category, like self-care, fashion or homewear. This way, they will find it easier to make a suggestion, and you will have an answer much quicker. Similarly, if you’re speaking with their partner, you could suggest a gift for both of them, as gifts for couples always go down a treat. 

Speaking to a friend or relative of someone you’re buying for is a great idea because in many instances, they might suggest buying the item themselves, particularly if they have something specific in mind that’s difficult to find. They can purchase the gift, making sure it’s the exact match, and you can cover the cost.

Purchase A Voucher or Gift Card

Another practical gift idea for someone that you don’t know much about is a voucher or gift card. There’s a huge variety of different cards to choose from, across hundreds of retail stores as well as entertainment and hospitality options too. 

You could choose something broad, like a voucher for several restaurants and food chains in the hope that there’s at least one they’ll like. Or you could choose an experience gift card for a luxury activity like a spa break or wine tasting experience.  Even if the activity wouldn’t be their first choice if they had to pick, because it’s something that’s unique and that they don’t get to do very often, they will appreciate the generosity and look forward to the experience. 

Vouchers and gift cards are perfect for people you’re not familiar with because you can control how much money you’d like to spend. Most gift vouchers can be purchased from as little as £10, and have spending limits of anywhere between £500 and £1000. You can also choose to purchase a physical gift card or an e-voucher that can be shared with the recipient through email or text message. Gift card options start from as simple as cinema tickets and range to holiday packages or weekend experiences.

Stick To All-Time Favourites

Even if you’re not particularly close to someone you’re buying a gift for, you can still buy them something that’s thoughtful and that they will appreciate. Most retail stores today advertise their best-selling items or most-loved products both in-store and online. These items are the most-purchased for a reason, and make great gifts because you can choose from clothing items and fashion accessories to fragrances and personal care products. 

With such a variety of items to choose from, you can tailor the budget you’re willing to spend to whoever you’re buying for. If you’re choosing a gift for a work colleague, for example, you might choose to buy a bottle of a popular wine. Even if it’s not their favourite pick, they may be interested in trying something new, especially if it’s highly regarded and the most popular pick from the shelves. 

Similarly, if you’re buying for a distant family member, you may decide to choose Sephora’s best-selling makeup sets featuring viral makeup like the REFY depuffing face primer, which they might even recognise from seeing videos and reviews online. There are certainly some gifts that you can’t go wrong with, and these include hamper boxes, luxury chocolate and premium wines, which are always thoroughly enjoyed and repurchased time after time.

The post How to Choose a Gift for Someone You Don’t Know Well appeared first on Shopping Rightly.

We all have that one friend who is obsessed with fashion, always wearing the latest trends, obsessing over Vogue, and buying items you would never even think of wearing. They’re great to be around; however, when it comes to buying them a gift, they can be the most difficult to buy for. You want to get them something which shows you know them well, as well as something that you know they will wear. If you’re not fashionable yourself, it can feel like you have no idea where to start. After all, you don’t want to get them something that will end up at the back of their huge wardrobe.

So, if you want to get a gift for your fashion-obsessed friend and you have no idea where to start, here are 5 perfect gifts that you can get for your fashion-obsessed friend that they will love and use forever.

Read: How Small Details Create a Memorable First Impression

Statement Accessories

Every fashionista knows that clothes alone do not make an outfit. Accessories are a key part of styling and also make the perfect gift, as you do not have to think about sizing and they are usually less risky and expensive. But with millions of accessories available in all different styles and price ranges, it feels impossible to know where to start and what would be the perfect fit for your friend. However, this is where we come in to give you three accessories that any fashion lover will love no matter their style preferences. 

Phone Slings and Key Rings

Something that is really fashionable at the moment is where style meets fashion, especially when it comes to accessories. Phone slings are not just a fashion accessory, but they are a necessity that can help out with everyday life. With women’s clothing often rarely having pockets, having your phone on a sling or a key chain means it will always be close to you, and you will never lose it, as it lives around your body or around your wrist. You can buy these in all sorts of styles and from all sorts of price ranges. This means that for those fashionistas who are into their street style, you can get them a cross-body phone sling for a casual everyday look; however, for those fashion friends who love something more minimalistic, a simple key ring chain can keep all of their important belongings in one place for them to carry around. 

Custom Name Jewellery

It can feel impossible when it comes to jewellery, specifically accessories, for your fashionista friend. Whether they wear gold or silver, this is only your first issue, and with so many styles and lengths to choose from, jewellery can be just as difficult to buy as an outfit or a pair of shoes. However, where no one can go wrong, no matter their fashion tastes, name necklaces remain a staple and for good reason. Available in all metals, sizes and languages, you can not only customise a name necklace with your friend’s name but also many aspects to make their gift truly unique, just like they are. 

Practical Care Tools

Electric Fabric Shaver

Something less wearable and more useful, an electric fabric shaver is one of those gifts that are unexpected but will get used every day. With so many clothes, many of them expensive, upkeep of items is very important for fashionista friends. Unlike the rest of us who just throw our clothes in the wash and then into our wardrobes, fashionistas like to care for their clothing as though it is their firstborn child. And electric fabric shavers allow them to do just this. By removing bobbles and threads on clothing, shavers can help your fashion-friend or family member keep their favourite pieces looking and staying brand new. 

Luxury Lint Brush

Besides keeping their clothing in good condition, fashionistas also want to look smart and put together. Almost every fashion lover will have some kind of lint roller. However, the usual sticky rollers are not only messy but also ugly and unsustainable. This is where the gift of a luxury lint brush comes in as a better-looking and more sustainable alternative. Alongside either gift, this makes the perfect addition that your fusion friend will use every day and may even be a lifesaver if they have a pet or just wear a lot of black. 

Final Thoughts

Buying gifts for your fashion-obsessed friend doesn’t have to feel impossible. With this guide, whether it’s a lint roller or titanium jewelry you can get the perfect gift for your fashion friend without stressing for months before either birthday or Christmas.

The post The Perfect Gifts To Get Your Fashion-Obsessed Friend appeared first on Shopping Rightly.

When to Bring a Host Gift 

Do you have to bring a gift to your host at every event? Not necessarily. For starters, a gift is never a requirement. You were invited to their home because they value your company. That said, a gift is a kind gesture and is especially appropriate under certain circumstances.

The First Visit 

If it’s the first time you have been to the person’s home, bringing a small gift is a good way to express your appreciation for the hospitality. 

Big Parties or Events 

Bringing a gift shows thankfulness for the effort your host put in to plan the party or event. Pulling together a great dinner party, holiday gathering, or special event takes a lot of effort, planning, and financial investment. A gift shows them their efforts have been noticed. 

Housewarmings 

The purpose of a housewarming is to invite friends and family to your new home as a form of welcome. Bringing a gift to this type of party is customary and may even be expected. 

Overnight Stays 

If you will be staying at someone’s home overnight for an extended period, bringing a gift to say thanks is appropriate and appreciated. 

Read: The Art of Hand-Engraving: How Hancocks Creates Heirloom Signet Rings

What To Look For

A host gift should reflect your relationship with the host, or their personality and home aesthetic. For instance, if you know them through a shared hobby, you could bring a gift related to your mutual interests. If the host has a modern home decor scheme, you can bring something in keeping with that style. 

How personal you go will generally depend on how well you know the person. 

Gift Ideas to Wow Any Host 

From classic favorites to truly unique finds, here are a few gift ideas that will be sure to thrill any host. 

Luxury Goodies 

While you can never go wrong with a good bottle of wine, you don’t have to limit yourself. Bring a basket or box filled with delicacies your host can enjoy. Think chocolates, fine liquor, baked goods from a local bakery, quality meats, or favorites you know they enjoy. 

Make it Personal 

Personalized cutting or charcuterie boards are a common gift idea for housewarming, but they also make great host gifts. Other home items you can have customized include hand towels, mugs, wine glasses, or even signs for their home. 

Get Fluffy Involved 

People love their pets. However, most people overlook these important members of the family. Bring a personalized food bowl, gourmet treats, luxury pet shampoos, or a customized leash/harness to show your host and their furry friend some love. 

Give a Spa Day 

Pre-made gift sets with bath and body products may not be the most thoughtful gift idea, but a curated spa basket with hand chosen skincare and personal items you picked specifically for your host? Perfection. Better yet, give them a gift certificate to one of your local spas for a treatment you know they’ll love. 

Help them Take a Load Off 

Planning for a party is a lot of work. There’s loads of cleaning, preparing food, planning activities and decorations, and sometimes fixing last minute issues with your home. Why not give your host the option to relax after the big day with a house cleaning gift certificate? 

Keep Them Stylish 

Scarves, hats, and other accessories are a great gift idea for the fashionista host. You can keep it warm and cozy for winter and holiday gatherings, or go with something flowy and light if it’s a summer get-together. 

Keep it Cozy

Plush throw blankets are never a bad idea. Choose options that will coordinate with their home decor, or simply go with something that is thick, soft, and sure to wrap them in comfort. 

Give Them a Cuppa 

Coffee or tea lover? Consider getting your host a beautiful new tea set, mugs, or even a French press with a selection of gourmet coffee samplers or their favorite loose leaf teas. The possibilities are endless. 

Celebrate Their Hobbies 

Giving gifts such as model cars, crochet supplies, sewing kits, and other items related to their passions or hobbies is a great way to show you take an interest in things they love while giving them a new way to enjoy their favorite activities. 

Add to Their Library 

Bringing a new book for your host to add to their to-be-read pile is a great way to show you care. If your host isn’t a huge reader, you can still find a coffee table book with interesting facts, a cookbook for them to try, or even stationery to keep in touch with loved ones.

Encourage Them to Host Again 

The key to a great host gift is the thought you put behind it and how it makes them feel. Show them how much you love attending their dinner parties with a fashionable serving tray, glasses, serving bowls, or a set of stainless steel flatware from Cribsi.

The post Top Picks for Hosts: Gifts That Bring the Party Home appeared first on Shopping Rightly.