6 Tips On What To Buy Someone Who Is Difficult To Buy For

You know that person that leaves you stumped or leaves you scratching your head and you're thinking "WTF do I buy Sandra?!"


You're wondering what on Earth they would like, you think of an idea then realise that they already have that scarf in a multitude of patterns and colours. Or it's that person who owns everything and you have no clue what they don't have unless you rummage through their house when they're not in (don't do that, that's pretty much illegal). 



However, you still have to find that gift that they would love. You could just pretend that you forgot to buy for them? Nah, then the guilt sinks in when you don't buy them anything. 


But, there are some ways you can maybe figure out what this one difficult person likes. Here are some tips on what to buy for someone who is difficulty to buy for!


1) FIND  OUT  WHAT  THEIR  HOBBIES  ARE
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While your sat in Costa/Starbucks with this person, while you're drinking your flat white, change the subject to hobbies (subtly of course) and find out what they like to do their spare time. If it's knitting, buy them a knitting kit. If it's hiking, buy them something to do with hiking. If it's buying thimbles, buy them another thimble for their collection. If it's...well, you get the idea. 



2) FIND  OUT  WHERE  THEY  LIKE  TO  SHOP
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I know gift vouchers are a bit of a lazy way of shopping. It feels like you haven't given two f*cks on what to get me! I only buy gift vouchers when I am really stumped on what to buy someone. Though sometimes, gift vouchers are the only answer. Or buy them an accessory from their favourite shop, you don't have to worry about sending it back if the top or skirt is too big or small for that person then. 


3) OBSERVE  WHAT  THEY  LIKE  TO  EAT
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Do they like a cheeky Nandos? Do they love drinking cocktails? There's always a food/drink subscription box out there to suit everybody, even the most difficult of people to buy for. Let's face it, everyone loves food and drink, it's a great gift in my opinion. A food hamper from their favourite food store is always a good idea too. 




4) LOOK  INTO  THEIR  FAMILY  LIFE  AWAY  FROM  WORK
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And no, I don't mean delve into their family tree and tell them that their 682nd in line to the throne. Do they have pets? Do they have children? Are they married? Now, this may sound like you're being a right nosey b*****d but it's all for a good cause - their present! If they have a dog, buy them something to do with their dog. You get the idea. 


5) ARE  THEY  TECH  SAVVY?
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There's always that one person in your life who loves the latest technology, whether it be the new electronic tin opener or a Ring door bell. If this person loves buying the latest tech objects, buy them something which they would get use out of. Or even something related to technology eg a mouse mat (can you still get them these days) or the newest headphones on the market. 



6) FIND  OUT  THEIR  LIKES  AND  DISLIKES
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Obviously don't buy them something they don't like. You can guarantee you'll get an equally as crappy present back off them if you do that. Do they support a sports team? Buy something related to that favourite team of theirs! People do tend to buy me a lot of Liverpool FC related stuff (which is always welcome) as they know that's the team I support. Do they like listening to music? Who's their favourite artist? Buy them a vinyl (they've made a remarkable comeback) or CD (do people still buy those?).



I hope these tips have helped you! Let me know if you have any other tips below! 
72 comments
  1. Oh, I need to show this post to my husband and daughter - they always say I'm the hardest person to buy for! x

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    1. Haha I hope they can get you something nice for Christmas Lisa! x

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  2. This is so good advice and yeah, we all know that one person who’s hard to buy for (looking at you middle sister)

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    1. Thank you lovely, there's always that one person who is hard to buy for in our lives!

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  3. These are some great tips. My dad is definitely the hardest to buy for.

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    1. I hope you manage to find him a present Kelly!

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  4. Observing what someone eats has really saved me a few times, my partner in particular is a tough one to buy for but he loves eating so that's always come in handy! These are some great tips x

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    1. I bet that comes in handy Kayleigh, food is always a great Christmas present for anyone and everyone! x

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  5. Thanks for sharing, I find it hardest to buy for is the my dad and brother, normal it's a bottle of beer!

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

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    1. A bottle of beer is always a great gift for Christmas Nic, I'm sure they love that present for Christmas x

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  6. Omg. Thank you so much for sharing this post, Lucy! My sister is one person I struggle to buy for each year as she never gives me any ideas so this really helps :)

    Samantha | https://samanthajblogs.co.uk

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    1. I'm so happy to hear that this post has given you ideas on what to buy your sister for Christmas Samantha! x

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  7. I normally struggle with my partner but this year I have followed these tips to actually get him stuff I know he will love! I am so excited to give him this.

    Great advice Lucy x

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    1. Aww that's lovely to hear Claire, I'm sure he'll love his present! x

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  8. It can be such a struggle to know what to buy people, but this is such a handy guide. I've still got a few gifts to get, so I'm definitely going to follow this guide. Thanks for sharing xx

    Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/

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    1. I hope this guide does help you Hannah, I hope you haven't got too much Christmas shopping left to do! xx

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  9. These are great tips Lucy! There are a couple of people that I often struggle with what to get them, I usually do turn to food and get them something they like to eat as you can't go wrong with that! xx

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    1. Food is a great gift for anyone and everyone Chloe, you can't go wrong! xx

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  10. Brilliant tips! One of my bestie is super hard to buy for so I always snoop into what they are into at the time or if they have picked up any new hobbies and go from there.

    Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk

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    1. Thank you Jordanne! That's a great way to figure out what to buy your bestie x

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  11. These are great tips! I usually find if you listen a little closer and pay attention to details you might usually miss in the run up, you can find something. I read the title and thought of my dad instantly. It's his birthday next week too, so I get the joy of having to find two gifts for my most difficult person with less than 10 days apart. I usually try to go for something hobby orientated but it's proving to be tricky this year with less going on.

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. Thank you Sophie, yeah it's those little things that friends say that really help in terms in what to buy them for Christmas!

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  12. Great tips. There's always someone isn't there who's a nightmare to buy for! It's usually my Dad actually but this year my boyfriend and I bought him his own snooker cue as we're playing snooker loads lately! x

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    1. There always is Jenny! Aww I'm sure he'll love that! x

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  13. These tips are so good! It can be such a challenge trying to buy something for someone who is a tad difficult to shop for. Thanks for sharing these suggestions!

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    1. Thank you Charity, it can be difficult sometimes but you always end up finding them that present!

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  14. really great tips! there's always someone who is more difficult to buy for x

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  15. I love this post - some really helpful tips here. I find my dad and brother to always be the hardest to buy for xx

    http://www.dellalovesnutella.co.uk/

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    1. Thank you Della, yeah sometimes it is hard to buy for the men in your life! xx

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  16. These are some very helpful tips on buying gifts, its not always easy. I will keep these tips in mind

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    1. You're right lovely, it's not always easy buying gifts is it?!

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  17. Haha I love this! I always think men are harder to buy for- and this year I just asked my dad what he wanted to save myself the worry of getting something he really wanted :) I also find it soooo hard thinking of ideas for my boyfriend... I stick to buying him things related to his hobbies, but then they never seem very romantic! Thank you for sharing x

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    1. Yeah it's always better to just ask what they want or ask them to give you an idea of what they want! x

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  18. Every year I find it so difficult to get a gift for my stepdad, whenever I ask what he wants he said nothing so I’m always struggle! I’ll definitely use these tips with him x

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    1. Oh I hate it when people reply to that question with 'nothing'! That's just more annoying than helpful! x

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  19. I neeed this post for my fiance and mum! They are sooo hard to buy for and they're always like "I don't want anything" ahhh!

    Rosie

    https://www.loverosiee.co.uk

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    1. Oh I hate it when people say "I don't want anything!" that's just an annoying response for them to give you! I hope you can find some gifts for them Rosie! x

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  20. Thanks for the tips! I'm struggling with what to get my parents this year! I keep finding things to buy for my sister but nothing for them!

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    1. I hope you manage to buy something for your parents Alice!

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  21. Great tips! I'm always someone who clocks on to anything little thing someone mentions liking and try to remember it for Christmas. Also a great cheat is go shopping with them, and she what things they say "ooh I like that!" about haha!
    Sarah x

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    1. That's a great tip Sarah, take them shopping and see what sort of things they pick up in the shop - genius! x

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  22. These are all great tips! I always try and look out for little things people say and remember it for Christmas because sometimes it can be so difficult to buy gifts for some people.

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    1. Thank you Sarah! That's a great way to know what they want for Christmas x

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  23. These are great tips. There are a few people that we are shopping for this season and found ourselves stuck on what exactly to get them. I found that looking into their hobbies really helped, so I totally stand behind that point! Although, in some cases I had to reach out to someone else that shared that hobby because I didn't even know where to start haha

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    1. Thank you Britt, finding out their hobbies can really help with knowing what to buy that person!

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  24. This is a really helpful post. I struggle to buy things for my dad if he doesn’t give me a specific item. Thank you for sharing.

    Lauren

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    1. I hope these tips can help you buy something for your Dad x

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  25. I feel like you read my mind with this blog post. Gift shopping stresses me out but I am also one of those people who is difficult to buy for. x

    www.themakeupaficionado.com

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  26. These are such simple yet helpful tips! Gift shopping stresses me out. I would always tell my mum to send me a wishlist and I'll just buy from that list because I know she has expensive taste and I don't want to get something she wouldn't want. Hobbies definitely helps so much.

    http://thesydneysider.com/

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    1. That's a good idea to ask for a wishlist, it definitely gives you something to work from!

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  27. My dad is such a hard person to buy for and I 100% approve of the food comment... buying him food he loves is such an easy win!

    Katie | katieemmabeauty.com

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    1. Buying food is such an easy win and let's face it, everyone loves a food gift!

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  28. These are some fab tips - I definitely have a few people that are difficult to buy for so I'll be using these ideas!

    Tash - A Girl with a View

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    1. I hope these tips do help you to buy for those you still need to buy for Tash! x

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  29. Ooh! Finding out someone's hobbies is a great way of determining what gifts to buy them; you just have to hope it's a hobby that has plenty of gifting opportunities connected to it haha :) Have a wonderful week ahead, Lucy!

    aglassofice.com x

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    1. Oh yes definitely, there's nothing worse than when you find out someone's hobby and you still don't have a clue of what to buy them! I hope you have a wonderful week too Gabrielle! x

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  30. Great tips! I have a few tricky people on my list this year and I think I will be going down the food route and finding things they love xx

    Violethollow.com

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    1. Going down the food route is always the way forward Violet!

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  31. I think finding out where they they to shop is a really great idea as if you buy them something from there and they don;t like it, it's easily returned (or just stick with the gift card idea). Fab tips!

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    1. Haha sometimes a gift card is the only answer!

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  32. This is such a useful post and perfect to look into if you have got someone for secret santa tat you maybe don't know that well!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Aimsy xoxo
    https://www.aimsysantics.co.uk

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    1. Yeah I think it's good to follow these tips when you have to buy someone something for Secret Santa! xx

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  33. Great post Lucy! I think we all know at least one person who seems to be the most impossible person to buy presents for - this is so helpful :) x

    https://www.femaleoriginal.com

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    1. Thank you Faye, we all do don't we? There's always that one person you struggle to know what to buy! x

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  34. Another blog of helpful tips! Knowing what their hobbies are is surely number one! If I have no time, I'd just give them cash lol


    www.lifebeginsattwenty.com

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    1. Thank you Monique, sometimes can be the only option!

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  35. My dad is one of the hardest people to buy for he never wants anything so hopefully I can use these tips here!

    Amber | The Unpredicted Page

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    1. I hope these tips do help you find a present for your Dad, Amber!

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  36. I always think food and drink make great gift ideas - definitely more likely to get used

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    1. They really do, food and drink gifts are the best!

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