Christmas gift ideas

Start with the list, not the shop

Christmas shopping goes wrong when you browse first and match later. Write the list, then put one line next to each name: what they do most evenings. That line picks the gift. A reader gets the Kobo Clara BW or a Daunt Books subscription. Someone who plays music gets the Marshall Emberton III or, if they have started buying vinyl, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X. The family that fills the house on the 25th gets Herd Mentality or Mario Kart World.

The Kobo is our top pick because it suits a wide range of readers. It is waterproof, has a glare-free screen and the battery lasts weeks, so it gets used in the bath, on the beach and on the bus.

Budgets that make sense

Under $30, give something used daily or used up: the iFixit Moray kit, an AirTag, Darn Tough or Corgi socks, a tin of Haigh's, a bag of hot chocolate. These are also good for teachers, neighbours and coworkers.

From $30 to $150, the field opens up: a tea advent calendar, an AeroPress, a board game, a coffee gift set, a wool toque. This is where most gifts for siblings and friends land.

Over $150, buy one thing and make it count. The Kobo, the Marshall speaker, the Theragun Mini, a wool throw from Melin Tregwynt, Waverley Mills or Revolution Wool, or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones. Put the big budget on the person who will use it most, not on whoever is hardest to buy for.

Gifts to share over the holidays

The days between Christmas and New Year are long. A gift that fills them is worth more than another object. Herd Mentality is built for a big group. Wingspan is slower, a strategy game for one to five players that suits a quiet afternoon. Mario Kart World works for four on one Switch 2.

Food is the other shared gift. DesBarres spiced hot chocolate, Haigh's pastilles and the Ethical Bean coffee set all get opened and passed around. If you are visiting, bring one of these for the host on top of any personal gifts.

A shared gift also takes pressure off the budget. One board game for a household of four costs less than four separate presents and gets more use. Label it to the whole family so nobody wonders whose it is, and leave the shrink wrap off so you can play it that afternoon.

Common mistakes

Buying something that needs something else. The AT-LP60X needs powered speakers or a stereo. The AirTag needs an iPhone and a holder. Mario Kart World needs a Switch 2, not the original Switch. Wrap the extra piece with it or pick something else.

Leaving the advent calendar until December. The T2 calendar is for the 24 days before Christmas. Give it in the last week of November or it turns into a pile of tea bags.

Forgetting the climate. A heavy wool blanket is a different gift in Toronto than in Brisbane. In Australia, the Waverley Mills Summer Plaid throw is the one to choose, and chocolate is best bought locally rather than shipped in December heat.

Wrapping a gift that needs batteries or charging without charging it first. The Theragun Mini, the Marshall speaker and the Bose headphones all run on internal batteries. Charge them before you wrap so they work on the day, not after an hour on a cable.

Shipping and timing

Order physical gifts by early December, and earlier for anything crossing a border or made to order. Limited editions like the Darn Tough socks can sell out. DesBarres hot chocolate ships within Canada only. Daunt Books ships monthly, with extra cost outside the UK.

For a gift that arrives on time no matter what, use an emailed card: an Apple Gift Card for an iPhone user, or a Cozymeal card for a US couple who would enjoy a cooking class in the new year. Print it out and put it in a card so there is something under the tree.

Questions people ask

What is a good Christmas gift for someone who has everything?

Give something that gets used up or done. Good hot chocolate, a coffee set, a book subscription or a cooking class all avoid adding clutter. A board game for the holidays also works, since it gives the family something to do together. If they still want an object, upgrade something they use every day, like their socks or their reading device.

How much should you spend on Christmas gifts?

It depends on the relationship and your budget, not a fixed rule. Many people spend under $30 for coworkers, teachers and neighbours, $30 to $150 for friends and siblings, and save larger amounts for a partner or parent. Agree limits with family early so nobody feels caught out on the day.

What are good last-minute Christmas gifts?

Emailed gift cards and subscriptions. An Apple Gift Card works for an iPhone user, a Cozymeal card for a US cooking fan, and a book subscription for a reader. For something physical, local shops often stock chocolate, socks and board games. Print the email and put it in a card so there is still something to open.

What is a good Christmas gift for the whole family?

A game everyone can play. Herd Mentality works for big mixed-age groups, Mario Kart World suits a family with a Switch 2, and Wingspan is good for a slower afternoon. Food also works for a household: a spiced hot chocolate or a coffee gift set gets shared. Choose based on how many people will be in the room.