It’s time to start your holiday shopping, but what to get for that friend who has everything and no room to spare? We’ve got you covered.
Even if you’re crafty enough to make your own wrapping paper and create DIY decor at the drop of a hat, there’s always that one friend who’s impossible to buy for. Maybe you’ve been friends so long that they already have all your best crafted gifts. Maybe they simply buy everything for themselves. Maybe they don’t have room for anything else because they live in a small space. Either way, you’re stumped.
Despite having a friend like this, you can’t overlook them during the holidays. You want to get them something, but gifts for small apartments put a size limit on what you can buy. To avoid having your friend struggle to find a place to store something big, go small and useful with these great gift ideas.
Pen and paper
It doesn’t matter how reliant you are on your device, everyone needs paper and a pen at some point. Jazz things up with a notebook that not only defines the content within it but shows off a little character too. Each of the products at WTF Notebooks has the perfect saying on the front. Whether your friend wants to catalog My list of things I was right about or likes to capture their Brilliant ideas I had while drinking wine, you’ll both have a laugh when this gift gets opened.
Pens prove that nice doesn’t necessarily mean the largest gift under the tree. The sleek and simplistic design of the UIXJODO pens on Amazon allows you to purchase an entire set for a perfect stocking stuffer gift.
Kitchen utensils
Considerate gifts for small apartments often have both form and function. Looking to the kitchen is a good place to start for inspiration. If you can figure out what essentials your friend is still missing, you’ve got an ideal gift. Some great ideas include OXO Kitchen and Herb Scissors, the Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop, available on Amazon, and a fish spatula, which actually works with so many foods. This set on Amazon from Rachel Ray comes in fun colors as well.
Weighted throw blanket
Because they fold up and are easy to store, a blanket is always a good gift to use when it gets cold even if that person has everything already. Take the gift a step further though and go for a weighted blanket. These blankets may help relieve stress and even make it easier for someone to sleep. A stylish throw, like the blanket from Quility, comes in a variety of patterns and sizes, all available on Amazon.
Flower subscription
What makes a better gift for small apartments than something that doesn’t last forever? That’s why a subscription to a flower service is the perfect gift for that friend who already has it all. You can brighten up their home not just once but over and over throughout the year. The Bouqs Co. offers monthly subscriptions of farm-fresh flowers everyone can enjoy.
Coffee sampler
While on the topic of gifts that won’t last forever, if you’ve got a coffee-drinking friend, cater to their morning pick-me-up routine with a coffee sampler that’s a little more exotic. Bad Ass Coffee is a Hawaiian coffee company whose Tour of Hawaii three-pack includes three different, 100-percent-Hawaiian coffees. There are even subscription options (and you get to say you got them a ‘bad ass’ gift).
Self-heating mug
To tie into that fancy coffee, but also serve as a worthwhile gift idea for a tea drinker, a self-heating mug is a great buy. It keeps any beverage of choice warm until the moment it’s finished. Even if you walk away from your cup, there’s not running to the microwave to zap it back to hot.
With an Ember mug, you can set the precise temperature to hold your beverage at the entire time. There’s even a travel mug design for those who commute to work and drink their coffee on the go.
Customized candle
Another way to offer up a small, but thoughtful, gift is to get your friend a candle from Homesick. This company has candles scented for places, experiences or even a holiday. You can get a candle with smells from your friend’s hometown or their favorite state. You can find scents that trigger a memory of that ski trip you took together or the beach cottage they went to with their family every summer growing up. There are even special Harry Potter scents for that world of witchcraft and wizardry fan.
Sunrise alarm clock
If your friend happens to not do mornings, a thoughtful gift that doesn’t take up a lot of space could be a sunrise alarm clock. These clocks simulate the sunrise and are perfect for heavy sleepers and anyone who can’t seem to get out of bed. While these clocks come in all different styles and prices, the JALL Wake Up Light not only simulates the sunrise but also has seven color-changing lights to pick from as well as a radio and snooze button. The alarm can also double as a bedside lamp before going to sleep.
A book every month
Another worthy subscription service, perfect for the person who has everything (and likes to read) is a Book of the Month subscription. This service puts out five hardcover books each month to pick from, sending you your preference to read and enjoy. Books in fiction, non-fiction and a variety of more specialized genres go into each month’s list. Readers can also skip a month or order from reader favorites. Credits carry over even if you don’t pick a title.
Gourmet oil and vinegar
Even with a small kitchen, if your friend is a foodie, they’re going to love a high-end ingredient or two to add to their culinary collection. An easy way to indulge this passion for food is with an oil and vinegar set. These essential ingredients go into salad dressing, marinades and so much more. Sure, the grocery store has plenty of options, but why not elevate the quality with a brand that’s not easy to find?
Seasons offers gift sets that take you to Italy, the Mediterranean and even Asia. You can get a tasting kit that’s perfect for salads or even as an enhancement to their next barbecue.
Bath time
While these aren’t ideal gifts for small apartments everywhere because you need a tub, for those that fit the bill, a relaxing gift of bath salts or other products is both thoughtful and space saving. The Yuzu Soap Dual Bath Fizz Set from Uncommon Goods lets you combine lavender and orange for a balanced and scented bath. You can also use each fizz separately for a more concentrated experience that makes them last longer.
For those who want to relax in a less-scented bath, Bathing Culture’s Big Dipper Mineral Bath is a perfect alternative.
A happy holiday for all
It’s not impossible to find the right gift for every friend, even the one who seemingly already has everything. If you cater to their interests, customizing when you can, you’ll deliver a holiday present that gets the biggest smile and a hearty ‘thank you’ every time.
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Source: rent.com