Gift Guide: For someone who has everything
Working in retail for years while studying in my early twenties I would get asked a version of this question weekly, and even more often during the holiday season - ‘what do I buy for someone who has everything’. We all have that person in our lives who say they don’t want anything, or if they need something they buy it, which makes gifting tricky. Over the years I have done a lot of thinking about what to buy for these people, and I have come up with some guiding principles to help steer you in the right direction.
Something practical. Think useful gifts that serve a practical purposes.
Something perishable or consumable. This one is a bit of a fail safe. A restaurant voucher for somewhere they love, or opting for a restaurant group like Savor will give them options for many of Auckland’s best and most brilliant spots like Amano, Azabu, or Bivacco just to name a few.
Something sentimental. If you have a fond memory with the person you’re buying a gift for, leaning into this is a great option. A framed photograph, or baking their favourite biscuits - it doesn’t have to be expensive, its truely is the thought that counts. I haven’t included a gift guide for this below as something sentimental will be personal to you!
Some practical gift ideas!
Over the last few years, Louise Roe has become a favourite for vases and glassware. I have her Jewel Vase in all three sizes which I sourced from Nordic Nest. However, pictured above is her newer Balloon Vase which is available locally from Slow. It comes in an array of colours and is on my wishlist! A vase is practical, beautiful, and versatile. They can sit as an object, and then turn into a vessel for your favourite blooms.
The Baina pool towels are also a mainstay in our household. Its always handy to have extra beach towels for back-to-back swims in Summer, or when friends and family come around and forget their towel. The perfect beach or pool accessory, we have the Sage & Chalk, and Cedar & Sand. Pairing a hand towel with soap, or a fun floor mat also makes a cute and affordable gift - I especially love this one!
We desperately need one of these, a waiters friend. Another staple for summer when hosting, and essential for when someone brings red wine! This cute duo from Le Creuset also comes with a wine stopper and is currently on sale.
A little luxury, this hand soap from Aesop has tiny pumice beads to exfoliate your hands while you wash, the best and only 2-in-1 you should have in your bathroom.
I saw this fun guacamole bowl recently, aptly named the Gaucabowlee, and it makes so much sense. A staple for summer for when guacamole is on tap, chip and dip, carrots and hummus … the list goes on! And I guarantee this gift will be as practical as it is unique.
Perishable or consumable gifts are always a great option, especially if you don’t know who you’re buying for very well.
A restaurant voucher. In Auckland some of my favourites are Azabu (Ponsonby & Mission Bay) and Bivacco (Viaduct), both run by Savor Group, Lilian (Grey Lynn), Otto (formally Cotto, K Road), and Cassia (CBD). On Waiheke Island, Man O’ War is my favourite. When in Wellington recently I went to Kisa, it was delicious!
You also cant go wrong with a beautiful bottle of wine. The Ironclad Bordeaux from Man O’ War is delicious, I also love their Exiled Pinot Gris for Summer. Opting for a Magnum sized bottle also packs an extra punch.
Hand cream, yet another classic. Perfect to stash in your handbag or for next to your bed, L’Occitane offer a thick and buttery hand cream that doesn’t leave your hands feeling oily (is there anything worse!), this one is a neutral fragrance so a great unisex option. I also love this one from Aesop.
Predictable but never disappointing, I can’t go past a good candle. I love Jo Malone’s Peony & Blush Suede for something floral, or Byredo’s Bibliothèque for something more woody.