Who’s left on your holiday list? There are always a few people who are tough to shop for, and you told us the giftees stumping you the most are preteens/teens, in-laws, and teachers. So, here are a bunch of of ideas, many of which are under $30…
TEENS AND TWEENS:
Preteen and teens are notoriously hard to shop for, so here are a few ideas: a café gift card (plus, permission to order whatever they’d like), or a silent basketball so they can dribble even when parents wfh. If they’re style-conscious, consider a cute nightshirt (budget-friendly option here), a gift certificate to H&M, or a cool phone case (I’d love this myself, ngl). Finally, you’d like a book recommendation for preteens, 11-year-old Anton and I are tearing through the graphic memoir Uprooted, in which Ruth Chan recounts her childhood move from Toronto to Hong Kong.
TEACHERS:
Now that my kids are in middle and high school, I feel more indebted to teachers than ever. (Anton’s teacher recently had to ask the kids to ease up on the cologne, lol.) Share your deep appreciation with thank you notes, says a teacher named Kristyn: “I pin them behind my desk to cheer me on tough days.” Also, “emailing our bosses to share an anecdote about something we did for your child is THE BEST,” adds Whitney. Gift certificates to neighborhood cafés, lunch spots, or Target come in handy all year. Keep in mind, “Teachers have allllll the mugs,” says Katie, but kids themselves can do no wrong, says Sarah: “A leaf your child found will bring me to tears every time.” And if all else fails, I swear by these earplugs, especially around yappy teenagers, and my boyfriend Freddie, who teaches history, admits, “I always love a good scarf.”
IN-LAWS/GRANDPARENTS:
For the in-laws or grandparents, give them something personal, like a traditional snack, condiment or cookies from where you’re from (I’d do British shortbread or Michigan cherry jam). Or go for something they’ll use regularly, like a magazine subscription or duckhead umbrella. Another approach is to consider their hobbies: if they love home decor, give them a bow hook; if they’re big readers, get the witty novel that topped many Best-of-2024 lists. Finally, a donation to a cause they care about is always a wonderful gesture.
Thoughts? Are these helpful? What other stumpers do you have in your life?
P.S. Last year’s hard-to-shop-for guide, and the complete 2024 Cup of Jo gift guide!
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