How to Choose a Gift for Someone Who Is Hard to Shop For

Some people say they have everything. Others have such specific taste that anything you pick feels like a gamble. A gift does not have to be a perfect guess. It just needs to be easy to place and clearly chosen for them. Work through three questions and the list gets short quickly.

Step 1: Start with an interest

Think about what they talk about when you are with them. If it is cars, there is a whole range built around that: key holders with car badges, light boxes, LED neon signs and emblem art. Our garage and auto collection is a good place to browse. If they are into games and hosting, a tic tac toe board for the coffee table is a good fit. If they like design and a tidy look, wall clocks and vases will suit them better.

No clear interest? Move on to step 2.

Step 2: Think about their space

Where would the gift actually live? Picture the room.

• Entryway: a wall-mounted key holder with a hook for keys and fobs.
• Desk or home office: a slim emblem piece or a small light box.
• Living room: a coffee table board, a vase set or a silent sweep wall clock.
• Garage or game room: a round light box or a neon sign. See desk and game room for more.

If you do not know the room, choose something that works on a shelf, a desk or a wall. The Red Bull light box (10" x 7"), for instance, stands on a desk or mounts on a wall.

Step 3: Match the size

Size is where gifts go wrong. A person with a small apartment will enjoy a compact piece far more than a large one.

• Small: the key holder is about 3" W x 2" H x 1.5" D.
• Medium: wall clocks are 10" across, round light boxes are about 224 mm (8.8") and tic tac toe boards come in 7" x 7" or 9" x 9".
• Large: the XL Porsche crest emblem is 19" x 15", and the Lamborghini XL neon is 3.5 ft.

When unsure, go one size smaller. A small piece that fits beats a large piece that does not.

Still stuck? Two safe routes

First, pick something that is both useful and decorative. A silent sweep wall clock tells time with no ticking, and a tic tac toe board is a game and decor. One AA battery is needed for the clock and is not included. Second, look at the Gifts Under $50 collection if you want a lower-pressure option that is still thoughtful.

A word on lit pieces

Light boxes and neon signs need a power source nearby. Most plug in by USB, so a wall adapter, a power bank or a computer will work. It is worth mentioning when you give one, so they know where to put it.

If the person is a car lover, our guide to gift ideas for car lovers covers it in more depth.

The right gift usually comes from paying attention rather than spending more. Choose one interest, one space and one size, and you will have a gift with a reason behind it.

Every order ships from Atlanta, GA, and most orders ship within 1 to 3 business days.