Every year around the holidays, the same headlines appear. “The Hottest Gift of the Season!” “This Year’s Must-Have Present!” And every year, I watch people scramble to buy something that will be forgotten by February.
I’ve gotten better at spotting which trendy gifts are actually good and which are pure marketing hype.
The Red Flags
Certain signs scream “this is a bad gift that will be returned or regifted.” I’ve learned to watch for them.
Anything marketed primarily as a gift rather than as a useful product. If the main selling point is that it comes in nice packaging, there’s probably not much else going for it.
Products that require batteries but don’t come with them. This is a sign that the manufacturer cut corners on everything they could.
Anything with the words “As Seen on TV” prominently displayed. Some of these are fine. Most are overpriced solutions to problems that don’t exist.
The Green Flags
Good gift products also have telltale signs. Things I’ve learned to look for:
Strong reviews from verified purchasers, not just influencer endorsements. Real people with specific complaints and praises are worth more than a dozen celebrity shoutouts.
A problem statement I can relate to. If I can immediately understand why someone would want this thing, it’s probably solving a real need.
Reasonable price for what it is. Great products don’t need to be cheap, but they should offer clear value for what they cost.
The Gifts That Keep Getting Used
After years of giving and receiving gifts, I’ve noticed patterns in what actually gets used versus what gets shoved in a closet.
Consumables that are better than what people buy themselves. Nice coffee, good chocolate, fancy soap. These get used because they run out and don’t create clutter.
Upgrades to things they already use. A better version of their current wallet, bag, or everyday carry item. Useful because you know they need it.
Things that solve specific annoyances. This requires knowing the person well enough to notice what frustrates them. When you nail it, these are the gifts people remember years later.
What I’ve Stopped Giving
Gadgets that require learning how to use them. Unless someone specifically asked for it, a complex product usually becomes a source of guilt rather than joy.
Anything marketed as “for people who have everything.” These are never actually for those people. They’re for last-minute shoppers who feel guilty.
Generic gift sets. Those baskets of random products that look impressive but contain nothing anyone really wants.
The best gifts show you paid attention. The worst show you grabbed something in a panic. There’s usually no middle ground.