With finals coming up and the end of the school year approaching, it’s gift-giving time for a lot of students. And since nobody wants to add to their teacher’s cupboard filled with mugs, or to their best friend’s drawer of gift cards, finding the perfect gift is hard!

If you’re like me and you feel lost when it comes to heartfelt presents, or if you’re stuck on what to get someone you don’t know too well, this article for you.

You might even tackle the hardest people to send gifts to – fathers.

The Ultimate Tip: The Master of Presents

The most helpful tip that I’ve found is keeping a list in my Notes app that I’ve named “Master of Presents.” Inside, I’ve kept track of the names of each significant person that I might send a present to. Under each of their names I keep a checklist of possible things that I could get for them as a present. It’s a running, evolving list; every time someone talks about something they wish they could have, or when someone is complaining about something that could be easily fixable, I note it down.

It sounds like a lot of work, but it is ultimately such a lifesaver when birthdays seem to come out of nowhere or graduations spring up out of the blue. Time passes fast, but if you can keep a list running, you’ll never be lost for gift ideas. The best part is, the presents will seem extra thoughtful because you’ll have remembered something that they said they wanted or could have had.

Last Minute Gifts

Obviously since you’re reading this article, you don’t have a Master of Presents list and you’re in dire need of some last minute gifting ideas. Here are some generic presents by category; hopefully you’ll find something useful!

For Teachers

DO NOT ADD TO THEIR MUG/WATER BOTTLE COLLECTION. THEY HAVE ENOUGH MUGS TO STOCK EVERY SHELF IN THEIR HOUSE AND USE AS FLOWERPOTS.

• gift card (yes, generic, but useful.)
  • try something a little more original than Starbucks. Indigo, perhaps?
• jewelry
• stationery (especially whiteboard markers)
• funny pointers
• baked goods
• chocolate (careful with this one, they receive a lot of chocolate so at least get something nice)
• thoughtful notes – they really do appreciate these when they’re heartfelt

For Graduating Students

• nothing that says “Class of …” – they look so tacky when the year is over
• tech (tablets, headphones, etc.)
• tote bag
• water bottles
• stationery (also especially whiteboard markers)
• gift cards for cafes or for coffee
• snacks!
• any compact “college essentials”

For Youth

• headphones
• wireless earbuds
• tablet/iPad pencil
• jewelry
• books
• gift cards
• stationery (Japanese pencils are particularly popular gifts)
• something that may align with one of their hobbies (ex. crochet hooks or yarn for a crocheter)
• makeup
• an analog watch (we need these for exams!)
• a computer mouse
• gadgets
• an alarm clock

For Parents

…shame on you. Why are you even looking here? You should know what your parents like. JK. Sometimes I’m not sure what my parents want either.

• be present. We often take our parents for granted; sometimes the best thing you can do is treat your parents for a meal and enjoy some time together.
• food – cook for the people who cooked for you growing up
• replace things that look worn.
  • This is the ULTIMATE Dad gift idea – a lot of fathers are quite practical and the only reliable thing to get them is to replace something that they already have, but looks old.
  • Plus, it shows you’ve been paying attention to what they’ve been up to!