Gift Ideas for Those Who Either Already Have Everything or Don’t Want Anything for the Holidays

Over Thanksgiving, I was laughing about how I’m now that mom who “just wants her kids and family to be happy and healthy.” I say I was laughing because in the past when asked for gift ideas, my grandmother or any number of older friends or relatives would say, “I just want my kids to be healthy and happy.”

 I would roll my (still youthful at the time) eyes and reassure them that we would be happier if they would give us an idea of what they would like for Christmas! Yep, I’m walking in those Santa boots now...just be happy, healthy and make good decisions.” lol

Maybe you can’t relate to that example but you can relate to the tinge of anxiety and pressure to get the “perfect” gift for your Pollyanna...under $50.

Not that one either? What about your spouse/partner or adult children who insist they dont need anything?

Whether you can relate to one or all three, I’m going to do my best to save you from a rather anti-climactic Christmas morning.

Stay with me on this and see if you come up with a couple of gift ideas the FashionSHEsta way…

When I’m stumped for gift ideas or am up against the “I dont need anything” obstacle, I go back to the basics and think about what that person’s “love language” is. Now, before your roll your eyes, give me another minute or two to share how helpful this is!

If you aren’t familiar with the concept of the 5 Love Languages concept that Dr. Gary Chapman, marriage counselor,  published back in 2007. 

The concept is that different personalities give and receive love in different ways. Gary Chapman came up with what he referred to as the 5 Love Languages and they are Quality Time, Acts of Service, Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, and Receiving Gifts.

Once you have an idea of which one resonates the most with your stubborn recipient, it makes it much easier.

I’ll go over each one along with some gift ideas that will fulfill both of you.

This concept was originally for romantic relationships but over the years has been helpful with communicating with kids, colleagues, friends, relatives, anyone you have a relationship with.

Most of us are a combination but one or two tend to resonate more than the others. I’m going to assume that you aren’t interested in sending out a quiz to people who dont even want to put effort into thinking about what they might enjoy so I’ll share a few ways to figure it out.

Most of the time you can tell what someone’s love language is by how they spend their time or things they ask for.

For example, someone whose love language is Receiving Gifts usually doesn’t show up empty-handed, they tend to give small “just because” gifts throughout the year.

If Acts of Service is their love language, chances are they are quick to offer help to others or do things for others without being asked whether it’s emptying the dishwasher or offering to pick you up from the airport. (remember airports?)

Someone who is quick to plan the next get-together or ask when you would like to have lunch or do something together would probably say that Quality Time together is their love language.

I’m sure you get the idea but I’m going to give examples of the last two to simplify it.

Physical touch is tricky depending upon your relationship (obvi) but that person might enjoy a gift certificate for a manicure or massage. 

The last love language is Words of Affirmation. No, just lobbing a few kind words their way doesn’t necessarily count as a gift, but a letter or thoughtful sentiment in a greeting card telling them what you admire about them would make their heart smile. Having a picture frame or something engraved with a favorite quote is thoughtful and would melt their buttah.

I mentioned earlier that most of us are a combination of 2 or more with one of them being our “primary” Love language, so combine a few and see what you come up with. 

I was going to create Gift Guides for each Love Language, but after a quick search I found this amazing resource on 5lovelanguages.com and it’s very helpful...

Thank you for hanging in here with me as I tried to explain how gifts connect to our Love Languages. If you want to take the quiz to find out what your Love Language is, tap for the link:

The idea for this article came from someone who was feeling a little frustrated from hearing, “I/we dont need anything.” While most of us can absolutely relate to not “needing” anything, a thoughtful gift that resonates with our Love Language is always appreciated, so, there’s no need to listen to them when they they say they dont need anything.

 **It wouldn’t surprise me if the love language of the person who suggested this article is Gifts;-)

I hope you found this helpful, if there’s a topic you would like some information or ideas about, please submit it here. Maybe a 2022 version of a “Dear Abby” concept someone suggested to me years ago will come to fruition;-)

Happy holidays!