A Yearly Planner

A great way to set someone off on the right foot for the new year is with a 2024 diary. At such a hectic time of year, it’s unlikely that anyone has the foresight to pre-purchase a diary for use after Christmas, let alone spend a moment to themselves wondering how they might like to fill it. Even the most organised of your relatives will appreciate your gesture to centre themselves with a simple, classic gift that paves the way for a productive 2024.

It’s a great gift for the young parent keeping track of three separate schedules, the career person with a strong goal-setting mindset and plans to achieve, or for the relative that seems to always be busy, literally all of the time. And for those who struggle to be anywhere when they’re meant to, or have a habit of forgetting appointments and important dates, the gift of a quality planner might be a thoughtful way for them to better organise their time. But be careful who you choose to gift this to, you don’t want to be seen sending any subtle messages to the cousin who shows up late to every family dinner…

2. Travel-Sized Toiletries

When we go away, it’s often the last thing on our minds remembering to pack a quality hand cream or perfume that fits in the confines of our washbags. But who doesn’t love a bit of pampering on holiday, or even a work trip? Gifting small, quality grooming items such as beauty face and hair masks, or quality natural deodorant and aftershave for men, are both practical and thoughtful - especially for the frequent traveller, as they take care of an essential but add a splash of decadence and luxury they might not budget for themselves.

Get your family members hopping on the ‘everything shower’ trend with portable products for wherever they go. You can buy many travel-minis in sets, offering a variety of related products, or in a range of fragrances. Plus, they look cute. And who doesn’t love receiving tiny things in pretty boxes at Christmas?

3. A Handy Gadget

For the members of your family who love staying up to date with the latest tech-trends, finding something they don’t already have is a fun way of offering a practical gift that still aligns with their interests. A temperature-controlled mug is a perfect choice for a remote or office worker to ensure their coffee never gets cold, and a self-cleaning water bottle is a thoughtful idea for those who champion a healthy, active lifestyle.

Not every present can be as flashy as the next, and some people are just really hard to buy for. So if you’re scratching your head, sometimes keeping it simple can be the best call. A powerbank that can be used to charge up a phone or laptop on the go is a practical present that is genuinely useful - especially for the older generation who may not be as up to date with what tech has to offer, or the university student who’s heading off to festivals every other weekend and is hard to reach at the best of times.

4. Sports Merchandise

If there’s someone in your family you rarely ever see and know hardly anything about, except that they love all things sports, then why not lean into that this Christmas? There’s no point spending money on a gift if you have absolutely no idea what the person likes or if it will be received well. If you know the team your relative supports, pick out a branded shirt, hat, key chain, Christmas tree ornament or other decoration in the spirit or design of that team, and you’re guaranteed to put a smile on their face.

It’s a nice way to acknowledge their interest or hobby, even if you don’t share in it yourself. This is also a good idea if there’s someone in your family obsessed with a band or film franchise, especially for older children and teens who seem to talk about little else. Go one step further and get something signed or personalised to delight the most dedicated fan.

5. A Self-Care Treat

We all have one relative who manages to make even the lightest family affairs turn into stress-induced nightmares (if no one springs to mind, it’s probably you). They’re probably the one who wants to wake up at 5.30 on Christmas morning to get the bulk of the food prep done for later, and when they’ve spent all day traipsing around the shops to tick off all the presents, will just about have a full-scale meltdown if the wrapping paper they’d planned to use runs out sooner than expected.

They’re also the relative that deserves the most TLC. If the holiday period feels to them more like a full time job in event planning and mass-catering than an opportunity to relax with loved ones, get the ball rolling on their ‘me-time’. Pop a luxury bath bomb in their stocking with calming lavender, rose or chamomile scents, or a handheld or electronic massager that can be used on the back or shoulders. Add a little luxury to their Christmas, and they’ll be sure to thank you for it.

6. A Special Experience

If you’re looking for a gift to really get you in someone’s good books, a gift-card style pre-purchased activity is a special way to cater to the tastes of the adrenaline junkies with a present they really won’t forget about. Helicopter rides, white-water rafting and skydiving experiences skim the surface of what’s available, but make sure you find a reputable company to ensure the purchase is genuine, or without too many restrictive terms and conditions.

An experience doesn’t have to translate into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Think about what your relatives would do on a birthday or special occasion, and arrange it up for them. A theatre or dinner voucher, a day-trip to a spa or a wine-tasting tour are a couple of ideas. It gives the recipient flexibility to choose when they’d like to have the experience, but rather than simply giving them a wad of cash that will inevitably end up fading into obscurity, you know they’ll definitely receive it.

*****

With the dates looming and awkward family reunions fast approaching, this list should hopefully take some of the stress out of your holiday planning, and firmly put you in the running for most appreciated relative. Now all that’s left to do is practise your shocked-but-happy face as you unwrap thick socks in the wrong size on Christmas morning…for the sixth year in a row.