Have you found yourself in the labyrinth of online shopping, desperately seeking the perfect gift for elusive, hard-to-please souls? I've been there, doom scrolling the dark corners of Amazon, wondering, "WHAT IN THE WORLD DO I BUY?" More than once I’ve found myself wishing for a less conventional gift guide. That said, I am taking my title as Internet Bestie seriously, so I’ve made you a thing. Presenting:

Holiday Gift Ideas For Hard To Shop For People

Gifts are my love language and over the years, have gotten pretty good at finding good gifts on a budget. So much so that for the last 15 years, when my friends have found themselves stumped for a present, they’ve called your girl. I want to help you banish present-picking panic forever. So fire up this holiday playlist and let’s dive right in.

You might want to start here: How To Become The Best Gift Giver In Three Easy Steps. That will help you swing for some easy, sure bets. But if you’re still stumped, the gift guides have it covered. Fair warning: these aren't the typical influencer gift guides like “what aesthetically pleasing gift to get your sweet toddler” (for that, may I recommend In Honor of Design? She's the queen of all practical and lovely things!). Instead, these are a little more unconventional. These are gift guides for people who are buying gifts for people who hard to buy gifts for. Bonus: each list also tells you what to avoid, what to use caution on, and what gift cards would be appreciated plus there's a link to even more ideas on Amazon. Click the links below to find:

1. Gift Ideas for Hard to Shop For Husbands: No sports team, BBQ, or alcohol gifts in sight! Let's go from "What do I get this guy?" to "Of course I knew you'd like this!" Because who needs another tie or a grill tools that screams midlife crisis?

2. Gift Ideas for Boomer Moms: Embrace the Boomer Mom in your life with thoughtful picks, minus the clichés. Say no to robes and vases! This year, show her you care without contributing to her ever-growing collection of questionable home decor. Who knew she had a closet full of robes? Let's not add to the madness.

3. Gift Ideas for Boomer Dads: Did you know that Boomer Dads usually quietly pick up a wholesome nature hobby along the way? This list will help you find the perfect balance of practicality and thoughtfulness. Dads and Father-in-Laws deserves more than another "World's Best Dad" mug or a tie that'll languish in a drawer somewhere.

4. Gift Ideas for Tween Girls: She's not a girl, not yet a woman. Finding Tween Girl gifts can be a challenge, but I have a theory that they share a lot of the same aesthethics as cool, Utah mommy bloggers. Don't believe me? Ask both groups how they feel about cozy clothes and Stanley cups.

5. Gift Ideas for Teen Boys: An actual 13-year-old boy curated this list and I learned that all males want new socks and it starts even as young as 13. 

6. Gift Ideas under $20 for Rich Friends: A little luxury on a budget? It's possible! Find affordable gems that scream sophistication without breaking the bank. Because even your rich friends can appreciate a good deal. This year, give them something that screams, “I care about you!” while quietly assuring your bank account that you care about it, too. 

7. Gift Ideas under $20 for People You Don't Know That Well: How do you say Merry Christmas to your casual acquaintance? Conquer the gift-giving dilemma for people you barely know with universally loved options. And who knows? Maybe this gift will level up your friendship. If you want that. 

8. Gift Ideas under $20 that Will Win White Elephant or Dirty Santa: Swap out the inappropriate gag gifts and dive into a list of white elephant gifts that'll spark laughs and hopefully a friendly scuffle. Plus we found out that there's one extremely boring gift that will send an entire room into fisticuffs when it comes to gift stealing time. 

9. Gift Ideas for People Celebrating Milestones: Whether it's a new job or the first Christmas with a new baby, find gifts tailored for significant life moments, because hitting milestones should be celebrated with gifts that say, "I see you, adulting and stuff." 

10. Gift Ideas for When You Don't Know What To Get For Yourself: Because sometimes, the hardest person to shop for is staring back at you in the mirror. Treat yourself with gifts that say, "I appreciate you. -me." It's self-love wrapped in a bow—what could be better?

11. NEW! (11/27) Personalized Gifts You Can Get On Amazon: Who knew?! If you find yourself wondering what to get the person who has everything, I promise they don’t have everything on this list.


SEE EACH GIFT GUIDE HERE: