For parents
Why parents keep the card and lose the gift
A short column on why parents keep the card and forget the gift, and what that says about what you should write, say and spend next time.
Inès Rahmani4 min read
Stuck on a gift? Start here.
Ideas by person, occasion and budget, written for people who would rather get it right than spend hours looking.
Topic
Gift advice
Gift advice
How much to spend on a gift: a simple way to decide
How much to spend on a gift depends on closeness, occasion and your own budget. Use this plain rule instead of guessing or matching what others spend.
Inès Rahmani5 min read
Gift advice
Should you include a gift receipt? Yes, here is when
Should you include a gift receipt? Almost always yes for clothes, gadgets and home items. Here is when to skip it and how to word it kindly.
Inès Rahmani2 min read
Gift advice
Three questions to ask before you buy any gift
Before you open a shopping tab, answer three questions about the person. They narrow almost any gift search to a handful of ideas in minutes.
Inès Rahmani4 min read
Gift advice
How to pick a gift for someone you barely know
A calm way to pick a gift for someone you barely know: keep it modest, useful or edible, add a gift receipt, and avoid the guesses that miss.
Inès Rahmani2 min read
Topic
For her
For her
Gifts for a partner who buys what they want
When your partner buys what they like, the gift has to be about taste, time or small daily comforts. Here is a way to choose that works.
Inès Rahmani3 min read
Editors' picks
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Topic
For him
For him
What to give a brother who is hard to shop for
What to give a brother who is hard to shop for: a short rule that works for adult brothers who never want much, and a few gifts to skip.
Antoine Girard2 min read
For him
The sweater that never came out of the box
A made-up scene about a gift that missed, and what it says about guessing. Why gifts for him fail when they are about us, not him.
Inès Rahmani3 min read
For him
Small or big gift for a new boyfriend: what to choose
Small or big gift for a new boyfriend? Small and specific usually wins in the first months, and a bigger gift suits a longer, steady relationship.
Antoine Girard4 min read
For him
Wallet or watch as a gift for him: which is the better pick
Wallet or watch as a gift for him? A wallet is lower risk and used daily, a watch is a bigger statement. Here is how to choose and when to skip both.
Antoine Girard3 min read
Topic
For parents
For parents
Why parents keep the card and lose the gift
A short column on why parents keep the card and forget the gift, and what that says about what you should write, say and spend next time.
Inès Rahmani4 min read
For parents
Gifts for grandparents who live far away
Gifts for grandparents who live far away: simple ideas that ship well, bring you closer and are easy to use, with a plain rule for each kind of grandparent.
Antoine Girard5 min read
For parents
Gift for parents' wedding anniversary: what works
A gift for your parents' wedding anniversary works best when it marks the years together, not the number: a photo, a meal or a small shared plan.
Antoine Girard2 min read
For parents
Gifts for parents who say they want nothing
Parents who say they want nothing still notice what you give. Here is how to choose gifts that are useful, easy to receive and hard to regret.
Antoine Girard4 min read
Topic
For coworkers
For coworkers
Should you give your boss a gift? Usually not alone
Should you give your boss a gift? Usually a group card or a shared gift is better than a personal one. Here is a simple rule and what to pick.
Antoine Girard3 min read
Topic
By occasion
By occasion
Graduation gift ideas that help with the next step
Graduation gift ideas that help with what comes next, from work bags and kitchen basics to a gift of time, with a plain rule for each kind of graduate.
Inès Rahmani5 min read
By occasion
Experience or physical gift: which is better?
Experience gifts and physical gifts each win in different cases. Use this simple comparison to choose for birthdays, anniversaries and weddings.
Inès Rahmani3 min read
By occasion
Housewarming gift ideas that people actually use
Housewarming gift ideas that help a new home run well, from plants and candles to tools and kitchen basics, with a simple rule for who suits what.
Inès Rahmani5 min read
By occasion
Thank-you gift ideas for a teacher, host or neighbor
Thank-you gift ideas that suit a teacher, a host, a neighbor or a helper, with a simple rule on size, price and what to write in the card.
Inès Rahmani2 min read