Gift Guide #9: The Hard-to-Shop-For-Crowd (Teenagers, In-Laws, You Know Who You Are)

If this is not too late and you are still searching, these kneepads are great for gardening and any other reason you need to be on your knees. There may be some other things on the site too.
https://www.burgonandball.com/collections/kneelo

You just described MY inlaws, although they don’t live overseas, so I guess I have it easier :) Do they have ipads? I got these “Flippy Pillows” for my dad and FIL one year, and they were originally like “hmm…” and both of them have used these daily for years: https://a.co/d/9CIIeSF. Also, my mother in law is a gardener and is in a phase of life where she doesn’t want more “stuff,” but perhaps a really nice coffee table book on flower arranging? Could be put to use, but it’s also just beautiful to look at! https://a.co/d/8JJdENC

Aw, sorry to hear this Amanda. Hugs. It might help to call a local nursing home and see if they’d like baked goods or cards. I know my friend does a craft activity and small gift for a local one here.

Love that idea Celeste, thanks!

Maybe a really nice Bluetooth speaker? Most everyone has a smart phone these days, and they’re useful for listening to podcasts, music, etc while doing the dishes, playing background music at parties, etc.

What about a gift card for a nice massage? Everyone loves a massage! Or a really nice, soft blanket for cozying up on the couch in winter.

What about a combination of things for a “cozy day”? Gift card to a local book shop (pick whatever book you like!) + gift card to a local tea/coffee shop (pick whatever bev you want!) + cozy unisex nice socks or beanie.

Thank you all for the smart ideas!!

New cookbook or beautiful apron + salt cellar + fancy salt (like maldon or something even fancier)

Lucia, my parents also said Santa only visits those who believe… and I still, at age 37, believe :). My sister and I were just like your kids–neither of us remember a big reveal or shocking moment, and we never stopped “believing” even when we were in on putting helping Santa put out gifts for our parents.

Oh goodness. I think a book would suffice? Jeeze, would not go overboard.

Harry and David fruit? I agree not to overthink it. It’s fancy enough without being overboard, and also strikes a smidge impersonal tone that I think is fair in this case.

Woof – I feel for you Sophia! My MIL is a narcissist – meets every clinical indicator – and it’s hard to shop for her because frankly, I just don’t want to.

Love the Harry & David suggestion. Fancy without costing too too much. You might also spring for a bottle of champagne that you like or that has meaning to you and some nice chocolate truffles and call it a day. I often give a bottle of my favorite champers (Gloria Ferrer or Chandon) because we’ve been to both wineries and Gloria was the champs we served at our wedding. It has a personal touch without, again, being expensive and even if they claim to be “too good” for it, they’ll probably consume it eventually!

A nice olive oil/balsamic/similar?
You can get an “expensive” version that they might not buy themselves and it still would hopefully be in budget.
& consumable, so you can get them a similar thing next year. No more thought than that for this kind of person.
And a gift for yourself: allow yourself permission simply ignore any side eye, should it come your way. People just don’t get to choose your budget for their gift.

A card.

Sophia, I understand completely. We typically send something in the “unique gift basket” category. Last year (as seen on Cup of Jo!) we sent them Salt & Straw ice cream, another year it was a Spanish Paella gift set (they love to cook). I honestly can’t tell if these items were a hit, but I feel like we sent something thoughtful, but not overly stressful. Good luck! :-)

Sophia, we have the same parents! I thought I was the only one going through this. I have come up with a few gifts I rotate through…definitely agree on a fancy food gift basket (often Harry & David). I have also done special olive oils and vinegars. One thing they loved, and I have done numerous times, is a gift card to a restaurant (new for them to try or one they already love), or a gift card to a fancy hotel nearby that they can use for dinner, the spa, or an overnight staycation. I would also consider doing a gift card to a theater (movie, opera, ballet, musical) near where they live so they can go see a show. If they have a pet, I would get very special treats and accessories. Good luck!

One more thing…I agree with another post. I would add something I recently sent as well, a bottle of wine and champagne. (Heavily researched for what’s best).

A sewing/emergency repair kit to carry in a backpack or bag? A sample set of perfumes from Sephora (not sure if that counts under “not makeup,” but picking my “signature scent” was so fun! A booklight and bookmarks for reading on car trips if they’re into reading old fashioned books. Really fun, fancy snacks for a movie night at home with friends if they’re into that (i.e. gourmet popcorn, fair trade chocolate bars, etc). Polymer clay earrings. Jewelry, in general, from an artist local to your area if you live somewhere different. A fanny pack or crossbody in their favorite color from Lululemon or Herschel. Something thrifted and weird if you know they’re into offbeat things.

Can’t go wrong with Gelly Roll pens :) in general, little nice art supplies go a long way with teen girls, as do cute room decorations (though this one requires knowing a bit of her aesthetic – cubic bubble candles are in right now, as are mini neon signs and light boxes with letters)

Lap top stickers, rainbow-maker window stickers (a huge hit for all ages – just stick on a window that gets sun and presto! rainbows everywhere!), small Lego sets, earbud case, enamel / plastic pins (to put on their backpack, etc.). Good luck!

I just got my teenage nieces each one fun hair clip from the Wild Fable line at target ($5 each), and i’m rolling up a $20 bill into the clip and calling it a day. I confirmed with their mom – cash is king!

What about a spice refresh? There are some amazing spice companies with sets you could look into: Curio, Burlap and Barrel, Spicewalla, Diaspora.
Nice spices, like heirloom beans, are a nice everyday luxury.

Gourmet dried cherries! Not cheap, but so good.

another box of Rancho Gordo beans (if they liked the beans)!
– someone who recently got into the bean club after a year on the waitlist. the recipes are greatttt

Coming from someone who loved receiving Rancho Gordo beans as a gift, my other favorite food gift is anything from Stonehollow Farmstead. Their products are amazing.

I also think fancy spices from a place like Diaspora Co. are always fun.

I live in Asheville, NC and there is a local spice company – Spicewalla – that has fun blends and high quality spices. Or get local fancy cheeses. Or fancy chocolates. Or maybe fun and different pasta shapes?

Hi Blythe, I love to give Diaspora Co. spices and also just ordered some jams from Ayako & Family. I haven’t tried the jams yet, but we do use and love Diaspora spices.

I love love to send sampler boxes of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams! Everyone loves ice cream and it’s so fun to get something special that you’d never buy for yourself. There are lactose-free and vegan options, too!

@ Beth I got a jar of Ayako & Fam jam for xmas last year and basically ate the whole thing with a spoon (or on ice cream) by myself in less than a week. So good! An expensive jar of artisan jam feels like such a luxury, and makes such a great gift! I wouldn’t think to buy it for myself, as I’m hitting up Costco for a tub of jam and slinging toddler PBJs over here all day

Absolutely agree! And as a “cocurricular/specials teacher (I teach Art) I have to add to not forget about us! Your child’s gym, science, foreign language, library, art etc teachers appreciate a note too! You don’t even need to get a gift, taking the time to share that your child enjoys my class means THE WORLD!!

Hard agree!! I taught elementary my first few years and would get a kind of embarrassing amount of gifts. Now I’m high school? A $5 Starbucks gift card makes my day! And thoughtful notes are SOoOoo nice to get!

Amen, Blythe! Love up those teachers in any way possible! Especially if your offspring has gotten extra attention on top of the usual teacher planning/feedback/etc. . . college rec? special learning plans? “we’re going on a family vacation for 5 days and could you just. . . .”?. . . stretch those THANK YOU muscles and grab a gift card, a Tony’s Chocolonely bar or two, a coffee subscription–anything to say, “You went above and beyond for my child and we really appreciate that!” And, fellow teachers, celebrate the bright spots and appreciate each other! Y’all rock!

What a great point, Blythe! My daughter is still in diapers but I’ll be keeping this in mind for future days. Thanks for all that you do for our young people!! Xx

I’ll remember that, Blythe. So know you’ve made a difference in my kids’ future high school teachers’ lives! :)

Loll “I love being a Starbucks millionaire.” Love that line.

HAHA Yes! Why all the body care for teachers? I could open a bath and body works outlet store. Are we smelly?

This reminds me of when I was first getting to know my now-husband in college – I guess his family had really gotten stumped about what to get him, so they alllllll got him Starbucks gift cards – like maybe $300 worth. He was RICH lol.

Yes! I bought my nieces, sister and BIL a family membership to our local zoo this year rather than individual gifts. It’s not something had had but really enjoy going there. They also seem to always stop at zoos when they travel so hoping they can also use it to get into reciprocal institutions, which I’ve done a lot with my botanic garden membership and a museum membership!

For a birthday, two best friends gifted me a membership to my favorite photography museum. It was the best ! Highly recommend.

We have a 3 year old and a membership to our local children’s museum and it has been GREAT, so that could be a good option for some folks. Ours has regular “member mornings” so we can go play before it gets too crowded, plus special events, and it’s nice to have a place to get the wiggles out when it’s rainy.

Adding another variation of this idea- tickets to the symphony orchestra, a dance performance, a play, or a local music event. Even if they don’t go for whatever reason, it still supports the preforming arts and maybe they’ll get to surprise someone else with the tickets. Joy all around!

I love this so much!! Can I ask what books you are doing?? This is genius.

Yeah this is an awesome idea!

Thanks–I’m really excited to get her reaction! She likes gentle fiction, as I call it, so thinking of authors like Kristin Hannah, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Maggie Shipstead, etc. I’ll also probably throw in an inspirational title or two. :)

Yes!! I did this last year for my MIL and she really appreciated it. I still love the idea!

Great idea! For folks on a slender budget or with a sustainable mindset: your local library often has a book sale table where you can get a bunch of used titles in good condition for $5 or less, and the proceeds go to the library. That way you and your person can be less concerned about taking a risk that doesn’t work out because, hey, it only cost X anyway. Just a thought!

Amazing! Excellent idea, thanks for sharing!

Oh, I love that. My teenage daughter usually does not have any wishes, but loves thrifting.

This exactly. My daughter got a $50 check with a promise to take her thrifting.l for her 13th birthday, and that plus a trip to the local coffee shop is all she ever wanted in life.

I would have LOVED this as a teen. (love the idea too as an adult that loves thrift stores!)

Cate, if you have kiddos who like art, have them make portraits of her, or of the two of them together. You can frame it, or if time allows, have it printed on a tea towel, tote, pillow, etc.

I love this so much! I always feel like grandparents get the generic Christmas gifts! I make a personalized calendar every year for my grandmother. I save family photos throughout the year. She looks forward to it every year. But one year, when I was younger and really stuck on a gift idea – because my grandparents had everything they could possibly need – I wrote what they mean to me on beautiful cardstock and framed it. Tears abounded.

That is beautiful! I remember realizing as a teen that my single mom didn’t have anyone to fill her stocking and I felt sad and ashamed. I resolved to make sure my brother and I filled it with nice little things for her. We live far apart now but she has a partner who fills her stocking these days.

Love this idea! My niece in Vermont longs for California avocados in the middle of the winter.

Yes!!! My great-grandparents always sent us Michigan family members fruit for the holidays. It was so lovely :)

Just ordered this for my dad for Christmas! My late uncle who lived in California used to send this to us every year and it was a huge hit! Thanks for the reminder.

Tempted to give her a puppy! 🐶😉

I love this!

I’d give Joana a tea sampler and chocolates from around the world lol.

@Kylee, if you get the puppy, I’ll get the kitten!

But for real: A dinner with Margaret Atwood (even if she’s not a fan of her books, Atwood is very funny in person) or Michelle Obama.

Haha, love this!!! <3

Or a cheese sampler from around the world! (Inspired by this one from the archives: https://cupofjo.com/2011/02/02/birthday-cheese/)