It can be challenging to come up with new ideas for the birthday presents you want to give your friends. Even if you know each other very well and are thick as thieves, sometimes you just struggle with finding something to offer them. Maybe your creativity wells are running dry that day, or maybe it’s because of your closeness. If you’ve celebrated your birthday parties together for years, it makes sense that you’d worry your gifts may be getting stale. If you feel like your presents are at risk of becoming boring.
Look no further than this list. You may find just the perfect idea on how to gift your friends presents they’ll never forget.
Can’t go wrong with books
Books are foolproof birthday presents. Everyone appreciates a good book, and everyone you know is probably telling you that they’re trying to read more. Reading is an ideal pastime to have; it relaxes you while enriching your verbal and mental abilities. If you want to make sure your gift isn’t left unused or added to an ever-growing “To Read” list, don’t pick one of the classics unless your friend told you they’ve been on a 19th century lit reading spree.
While gifting books belonging to the literary canon is a safe option, they are so popular your friend may have already read them or at least studied them in school. If they’re the type that has only recently made a habit out of reading, a hefty book like that will put them off.
Think of your friend’s interests before making a purchase. If you’re thinking about buying a novel, pick a genre you know your friend will like. They may be more drawn to romance and YA, or are thriller and horror fans. There’s something for everybody. Take it a step further by buying something that’s non-fiction. When it comes to self-help, books are probably the first thing that comes to mind. But they’re so commonplace each of your friends probably already has at least two lying around unread on their bookshelf.
Focus on their particular interests. If your friend always knows when Mercury is in retrograde, buy them an astrology book. If they’re the type you can always go to if you have questions about current political events, give them something from the “History and Politics” section. And if their hobby is interior design, there are many options to pick from in the architecture sector. If you buy a book particularly tailored to the subjects your friend is passionate about, you show that you really care.
For the friend who’s on the go
We all have a friend like this. The one that constantly seems on the run, always has a packed schedule and something to do. They’re always on the run and always have something to do. They may even make you feel a little lazy with how productive they are. For people like this, it’s best to keep things practical and functional. If you’re trying to be at your most productive, it’s best not to get distracted by avant-garde designs.
Backpacks are an ideal present for a busy person. Look for something high-quality but light, compact and with as many pockets as possible. This way, you ensure that as much as possible can fit in, but it’s not so big and heavy that carrying it starts to resemble an intense sandbag workout rather than a regular day of running errands.
If your friend isn’t the backpack type, tote bands are the ideal alternative. They are spacious and stylish, coming in many fabrics and designs. You can choose something made from military-grade fabric in order to make sure it’s sturdy enough, and you can also check to make sure it was made using double-stitched seams. Look for those great inside pockets that can stash all those small and essential things, from IDs to credit cards to lip balm.
Ideas for art-loving friends
It may seem like the easiest thing in the world to find presents for artsy friends. The effortless option is to buy them art supplies, like oil paints, a canvas or graphite pencils. But you should think outside the box for a little while and come up with something more original. For example, you can consider flower arrangements. And if you think flowers are not a good gift because they’re relatively short-lived compared to other gifts, think again.
Flowers are very diverse, coming in many species and colours. The meaning behind each flower is also something an artist’s soul will love. Build the arrangement yourself if you want to make it an extra special gift. Pick good-quality floral ribbon so you can enhance your bouquet in the prettiest way possible and really make it shine. The ribbons are combinable with all types of flowers as you can find them in a variety of colours, patterns and materials, from mesh to satin to burlap. You don’t have to bring only flowers as a gift, but make sure to include them as part of your present. They’re perfect for beauty lovers.
Products for the skincare enthusiast
Everyone has a skincare routine nowadays. And for good reason. Skincare is an important part of self-care. If your friend is an expert at it and you aren’t, you may feel anxious to pick something. It’s good to gather information about what they use before shopping sneakily. But if you’d like to surprise them with some new products, you may need to do some prior research.
Try sticking with hypoallergenic products and gentle ingredients. Hydrating sheet masks or shea butter moisturisers are good picks, as are products that work for the entire body, like lotions or mousses. A roomy toiletry bag is a good idea too.
If all else fails…
If none of these ideas work for your friend, or if you’ve already bought all these items, don’t throw in the towel and call your friend to tell them you can’t make it to their party. Buy them things for their home but with a twist, like a salt and pepper mill set made from wood or in fun colours like turquoise, a reed diffuser, or a quilted weighted blanket.
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone when it comes to buying presents for your friends. After all, when you’ve known each other for long, you surely have developed a sixth sense about what they like, and you just need to follow it.
Also read: Buy These Baby Jewelry Trends for Birthdays, Special Occasions & Many More