How To Choose A Gift For Someone Who Is Hard To Buy For

Some gifts are easy.

A new baby. A wedding. A milestone birthday.

You know the occasion, you know the recipient, and often the gift almost chooses itself.

Then there are the other gifts.

The person with beautiful taste.

The friend who already seems to have everything.

The colleague you don’t know particularly well.

The interior designer.

The person who is thoughtful, stylish and surprisingly difficult to buy for.

These are the conversations we have every day at Studio Matakana, and over time we’ve noticed a few approaches that consistently help people find a gift that feels genuinely right.

Start With The Person, Not The Product

When people are stuck, they often begin by asking what they should buy.

A better question is who they are buying for.

Are they someone who loves entertaining? Do they appreciate craftsmanship? Are they practical? Creative? Someone who values experiences, beautiful objects or meaningful keepsakes?

The best gifts are rarely chosen from a checklist.

They come from paying attention to the person.

A conversation remembered, a hobby mentioned months ago, a favourite colour noticed in passing. These small details often lead to the most memorable gifts.

When They Have Great Taste

One of the most common challenges is buying for someone whose home always looks beautiful or who seems to have an effortless sense of style.

The instinct is often to try and match their taste exactly.

In reality, that can be surprisingly difficult.

Instead, look for pieces that are timeless rather than trend-driven. Beautiful materials, thoughtful design and skilled craftsmanship tend to appeal to people who appreciate quality without feeling overly personal.

A handcrafted serving bowl, an elegant vase, artisan glassware or a carefully chosen necklace can often feel more meaningful than something selected simply because it matches a particular colour scheme.

They Already Have Everything

We hear this one almost daily.

“They already have everything.”

Of course, nobody truly has everything, but some people have reached a stage where they buy what they need when they need it.

For these people, gifting becomes less about necessity and more about discovery.

The goal isn’t to find something they need.

It’s to find something they wouldn’t necessarily discover for themselves.

A beautiful pendant, a handcrafted ceramic piece, artisan-made homewares or a thoughtfully designed accessory can often feel more special because it introduces them to something new.

You’re Buying For Someone You Don’t Know Well

This can be surprisingly stressful.

Perhaps it’s a work colleague, a client, a new neighbour or someone you’ve only met a handful of times.

When you’re unsure, avoid gifts that are too personal.

The safest gifts are often useful, beautifully made and broadly appreciated without requiring intimate knowledge of someone’s tastes.

Think quality homewares, serving pieces, elegant scarves, beautiful notebooks or carefully selected lifestyle accessories.

Thoughtful presentation matters too. A beautifully wrapped gift immediately feels more considered and personal.

The Interior Designer Problem

People often laugh when they say this, but it’s a genuine gifting challenge.

Interior designers, architects and creative people spend their lives surrounded by beautiful things.

Our advice is usually not to try and match their home.

Instead, focus on craftsmanship.

A handmade ceramic bowl, artisan glassware, a beautifully produced design book or an object with a genuine maker story often resonates far more than something chosen simply because it looks decorative.

Many people with great homes don’t need more ornaments.

What they appreciate are beautiful objects that earn their place through both form and function.

The Gift They Wouldn’t Buy For Themselves

This is where great gifting often lives.

Most people will happily buy their own everyday essentials.

They’re less likely to buy themselves a beautiful necklace, artisan-made ceramics, handcrafted glassware, a luxurious scarf or a premium leather accessory.

These are often the gifts that feel special because they sit just outside the everyday.

Not extravagant.

Simply considered.

Choosing A Gift Budget

Rather than focusing on what you should spend, think about the occasion.

Under $50

Perfect for thank-you gifts, teachers, hosts, neighbours and smaller celebrations.

A thoughtfully chosen gift in this range can still feel incredibly personal.

$50–$100

A comfortable range for birthdays, housewarmings, farewells and gifts for close friends.

This is often where customers find the balance between practicality and something a little special.

$100+

Well suited to milestone birthdays, anniversaries and significant celebrations.

These gifts often become lasting keepsakes that are enjoyed for years.

Why New Zealand-Made Matters

Some gifts are enjoyed for a season.

Others become part of a person’s home and story.

One of the reasons we love supporting New Zealand makers is that their work often carries a deeper connection to place, craftsmanship and creativity.

A handmade ceramic bowl, artisan glass piece or thoughtfully designed item made closer to home often feels more personal because there’s a real maker behind it.

These are the pieces that frequently become favourites.

The bowl brought out for family dinners.

The vase used again and again.

The serving platter that appears at every celebration.

Years later, people may not remember exactly when they received them.

But they remember who gave them.

A Final Thought

The best gifts rarely come from searching for the “perfect” thing.

They come from choosing something with intention.

Something that reflects the recipient.

Something that feels considered.

Something they may never have discovered for themselves.

Because at the end of the day, the gifts people remember most aren’t always the biggest or the most expensive.

They’re the ones that make them feel seen.