Finding a Gift for Someone You Don't Know Well

The Traveler or Cell Phone Conversationalist

Especially for someone in the workplace, you'll know if he or she travels a lot or makes a bunch of calls on the call phone. Gifts that will be appreciated could include gift certificates to the person's cell phone provider,  perhaps some cell phone accessories, or a travel magazine subscription. You might want to check with your favorite travel agent to see if he or she has any ideas about travel-related subscriptions or gifts.  A friend or family member who knows the person who are buying for well may have some ideas.

The Sports Enthusiast

If the person you will be gifting is into sports or is a fan of a particular team, great gift ideas include sports merchandise for their favorite team or tickets to a game. If you want to spend a bit of money, you'll thrill this person by purchasing a ticket and travel accommodations to see a final game of the season. The golf enthusiast falls into this category. Golfers love golf themed merchandise that ranges from golf balls to USGA jackets. A great idea for golfers is a membership to the USGA or tickets to a USGA golfing event.

Hot Auction Items!

The Pet Owner

Pet ownership can give you a clue about what to buy, but check with someone who knows your gift recipient well to find out if he or she actually has a pet, and what kind of a pet it is. Gift ideas include clothing for a pet (make sure that you know the breed of the dog so you get the correct size), pet beds or a subscription to a breed or animal magazine. Some people like to collect glass or resin miniatures of their favorite breed and these can easily be found on the Internet or at your local retail superstore.

Safe Gift Bets for Women

If your company has a gift exchange during the holidays or it's a woman's birthday who you don't know well, consider spa gift sets or a spa certificate.  Spa gift sets are also very popular and most women enjoy them. You can either buy a spa gift basket that has been pre-assembled or you can gather a collection of scented bath beads, soaps and gels and make a personalized basket.

For the Really Hard to Buy For Person

Occasionally you may have to shop for someone that doesn’t fit in any of the above categories or who it's hard to glean personal information about.  A gift that many people enjoy but rarely receive as a gift is a movie theater pass. There are always movies that people want to see no matter what genre they enjoy. A movie theater pass can be used year ‘round and it fits any gift giver’s budget.  Be sure to get two passes so that  the person you are gifting can take a friend.

The next time you can’t think of a gift for someone special, try one of these ideas and you may be done shopping sooner than you thought possible!

"Finding a Gift for Someone You Don't Know Well" contributed by Morgan Smithson