For the “Hard to Buy For” People
Some people are simply impossible to buy for. They already own what they want. They avoid trends. They say, “Honestly, don’t get me anything.” This guide exists for them!
It’s not about buying more “stuff.” It’s about choosing gifts that feel considered, intelligent and enduring.
1. The Host (with the immaculate home)
They always have fresh flowers. Their olive oil is probably from a farm in Tuscany.
Think: marble knot, handmade ceramic piece, or a travertine bowl. It’s art without being precious, and decor without assumptions.
Jo Malone ‘Ginger Biscuit’ candle, £56.00
Dolce & Gabbana Patchouli scented candle, £275.00
Loewe earl grey scented candle, £205.00
Louise Roe balloon ceramic vase, £240.00
Fourth Street candlesticks, £280.00
L’objet incense holder, £195.00
2. The Fashion Minimalist
They only buy what’s timeless – and it shows. Neutral tones always feel elevated and effortless.
Large Gold Moi + Toi Disc on Large Curb Clip Bracelet, £350.00
Lisa Yang Paris Cashmere Scarf, £365.00
Anisa Sojka gold-plated chain necklace, £159.00
Small Double Link Bracelet, £200.00
Small Silver Oval Bracelet, £230.00
DeMellier ‘Hudson’ lizard-effect tote bag, £625.00
DeMellier ‘Tokyo’ lizard-effect shoulder bag, £415.00
Agnelle woven leather gloves, £250.00
Agnelle Kate leather gloves, £120.00
Acne Studios wool and yak- blend beanie hat, £150.00
Acne Studios wool and yak-blend beanie hat, £150.00
3. The One Who Buys Everything for Themselves
You can’t out-shop them – so upgrade what they already use. You’re not introducing something new, you’re making their everyday rituals feel more luxurious.
Saint Laurent Tsubota Pearl Vintage Lighter in brass, £135.00
Saint Laurent Tsubota Pearl Lighter, £115.00
Victoria Beckham ‘Portofino’ hand cream, £38.00
Saint Laurent Cassandre matelassé leather cardholder, £350.00
Allsaints leather AirPods case, £39.00
Allsaints leather AirPods case, £39.00
Diptyque softening hand wash, £56.00
Acne Studios Leather Wallet, £180.00
Toteme T-Lock textured-leather wallet, £390.00
Apple AirTags (4 pack), £92.00
4. The Wellness Person
Low-tox pantry. Carries a water bottle everywhere. These are gifts that genuinely improve their day-to-day life.
The Nue Co Magnesium spray, £45.00
Oskia London Moon Salts Calming & Hydrating Bath Soak, £70.00
Liforme Original yoga matt, £127.95
Slip silk pillowcase gift set, £115.00
Mirror Water bath salts, £38.00
The Five Minute journal, £22.99
Slip contour sleep mask, £66.00
5. The Hard-to-Read Man
Impossible to shop for. Always says, “I’m fine.” Men appreciate practicality – they just don’t know how to articulate it.
Scotch Whiskey advent calendar, £150.00
AMI Paris black are neck jumper, £230.00
AMI Paris grey hooded sweatshirt, £270.00
Mr Porter cashmere scarf, £145.00
Essentials black hooded sweatshirt, £169.00
Aspinal of London duffle travel bag, £795.00
Elemis Men’s skincare kit, £85.00
Master of Malt Glenmorangie Signet 70cl Whisky, £188.00
L’objet prism glass and gold-tone cocktail shaker, £160.00
Sony noise cancelling headphones, £279.00
Tom Ford conditioning beard oil, £49.00
Creed Absolu Aventus Eau De Parfum, £270.00
Nespresso Vertuo Pop Barista Bundle De’Longhi Coffee Machine, £199.00
ASSOULINE Formula 1: The Impossible Collection 2nd Edition Hardcover Book, £1,150.00
Calvin Klein Boxer (3-pack), £44.00
Hugo Boss Boxers (3-pack), £45.00
Sonic Editions Steve McQueen print, £322.00
Sunspel Cellular Cotton T-Shirt, £55.00
Ray-Ban | Meta (Gen 1), £329.00
6. The New Parent
They don’t need more baby clothes. They need time.
Gift idea:
- Voucher for a house clean
- Ready-made meal delivery service
- Cashmere throw for them
- At home pampering treatment from Ruuby app (you can use my code MERCER725 for £20 off)
Give rest, not things.
COOK New Parents 7 nights of meals, £83.32
COOK New Parents 7 nights of meals (veggie), £79.92
COOK First Fortnight for New Parents, £171.21
The White Company pure cashmere throw, £365.00
Dyson Supersonic Nural™ hair dryer, £399.99
Practically cuts blow-dry time in half!
7. The Teenager
Their aesthetic matters, don’t fight it. They will appreciate something they can choose.
Laneige Strawberry Shortcake sleeping lip mask, £22.00
Bubble Skincare ‘Dazzling Days’ skincare set, £35.00
Bubble Skincare lip balm with charms set, £16.00
Milk Makeup Balmade Electrolyte Lip Balm, £18.00
Slip pure silk eye mask, £66.00
Sol de Janiero perfume mist set, £58.00
Laneige glowy lip balm set, £22.00
Daise ‘Vanilla’ Bundle, £24.50
Daise ‘Hello Pomegranate’ Bundle, £21.50
SKIMS grey pyjama set, £135.00
Anine Bing sweatshirt, £180.00
BAPE camouflage hoodie, £389.00
Allsaints relaxed crewneck, £109.00
8. The “I Don’t Need Anything” Minimalist
Clutter is their enemy.
Gift idea:
- Donation to a charity in their name
- Experience: pottery class, gallery membership, wine tasting
- Spa voucher
Cheese & Wine Tasting – Regents Canal, Paddington, from £79.00
Sauna & Plunge Experience, from £55.00
The Cinema Experience for two, £40.00
Property is overrated; memories aren’t.
9. The Traveller
Gift idea:
- Monogrammed travel pouch
- Silk eye mask
- Perfume atomiser
Small luxuries that make travel feel intentional rather than chaotic.
Personalised passport cover, £21.99
‘100 Weekends in Europe’, £25.00
Patchology rose gel eye masks, £14.00
The Fragrance Shop subscription, £14.00 per month
The Fragrance Shop’s subscription lets them try a new luxury scent every month in a sleek, travel-size atomiser. Ideal for carry-ons and weekend bags – it’s a thoughtful gift that’s compact, stylish, and always ready to go.
Dior Beauty The Natural Glow Christmas Gift Set, £71.00
Laura Mercier Translucent Hydrating Setting Spray Ultra-Blur, £32.00
10. The Person You Want to Impress
The gift that keeps arriving, month after month.
Gift idea: VOGUE (or anything they are interested in) magazine subscription.
I received this from my mother-in-law last year, and it has been the gift that quietly brings joy throughout the entire year.
There is something about a beautifully printed magazine arriving monthly that feels luxurious – almost old-fashioned in the best possible way. It becomes a ritual.
Pair it with:
- A handwritten note
- A ribbon around the first issue
Simple, thoughtful, unforgettable.
11. Personalised Recipe Notebook
For the person who loves hosting, cooking, or documenting family traditions.
A linen-bound recipe journal where they can write down family dishes and memories – a future heirloom.
Why it works: It’s sentimental without being sentimental on the surface.
It becomes valuable only with time.
Personalised recipe book, £29.95
12. A Bespoke Fragrance Discovery Set
Not a random perfume – a curated edit of samples from niche perfumeries (Le Labo, Byredo, Diptyque).
Why it works: It turns choosing a scent into an experience, not a guess.
Tom Ford mini discovery set, £55.00
Jo Malone cologne collection, £90.00
Creed 5-piece discovery set, £210.00
Maison Francis Kurkdijan miniatures set, £250.00
Le Labo discovery set, £105.00
Initio Musk Therapy Set (Worth £330), £280.00
13. Digital Photo Frame (Preloaded)
But here’s the twist: pre-load it with photos of holidays, family moments, or scanned childhood pictures.
Why it works: It’s time, disguised as a gift.
14. Luxury Hand + Lip Ritual Set (but make it minimal)
Why it works: Everyone uses hand cream, but almost no one buys themselves beautiful hand cream!
L’Occitane shea butter hand cream, £25.00
La Mer mini collection, £75.00
Malin + Goetz ‘In Good Hands’ set, £23.00
Caudalie hand and lip duo, £10.00
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, £27.00
Nécessaire ‘The Hand Retionl’, £35.00
Sol de Janeiro hand cream, £16.00
Byredo Rose of No Man’s Land Hand Cream, £35.00
Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream, £18.00
15. Linen Bedding Mist + Pillowcase Duo
A linen spray paired with a silk pillowcase in a neutral tone.
Why it works: It turns everyday sleep into a ritual.
Neom sleep saviour gift set, £29.00
Neom perfect nights sleep pillow mist, £25.00
Slip pure silk pillow cases, £199.00
16. Framed Print of a Meaningful Place
Choose a place that matters to them:
- City they met their partner
- Street they grew up on
- A map of their favourite holiday destination
Why it works: It’s personal, without being cheesy.
17. Wine That Isn’t for Drinking (Yet)
Choose a bottle to age with a note:
“Open this on your milestone moment.”
Why it works: You’re giving someone a future celebration.
Moët & Chandon personalised champagne, £66.99
Veuve Clicquot champagne, £74.99
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2015 Takashi Murakami Limited Edition, £230.00
Soho House Chateau La Coste Lady A, £22.99
18. Personalised Stationery
Heavy-weight, embossed initials, cream card stock.
Why it works: High-end and old-world – and no one buys it for themselves.
19. Quiet Weekend Experience
Instead of a physical present, give:
- A pottery workshop
- A sound bath session
- A guided meditation experience
- A National Trust membership
Why it works: Rest > things.
20. A “For When You Need It” Drawer Box
Sounds odd, but stay with me.
Create a small box with:
- Peeling face masks
- Magnesium sleep spray
- A beautiful chocolate bar
- Lavender or chamomile tea
- A handwritten note
Label it: “For When You Need A Moment.”
Why it works: It feels like care, not gifting.
And lastly, for the whole family (even your dog!), these onesies are super fun to match with your loved ones over the Christmas period. My kids have asked for them, and we might get one for Coco too!
Cosy fleece hooded onesie, £104.00
The Go-To Fleece Pet Onesie, £64.00
Finishing touches
Instead of elaborate wrapping:
- kraft paper
- velvet ribbon
- a sprig of eucalyptus
Calm, understated, and beautifully intentional.
Because the best gifts aren’t loud.
They’re considered, and they last.
