Gift Guide 2025: What to Get the Hardest People On Your List

Gift giving can be challenging when you're shopping for people who seem to already have everything they need (or who are just super hard to please). Hannah Morrill, Wirecutter’s gift editor, walks us through how to approach selecting presents for these trickiest recipients. 

 

Hannah also answers listener questions with dozens of specific gift recommendations.

 

If you’d like to receive hand-picked gift recommendations right to your inbox, subscribe to Wirecutter’s gifting newsletter, The Gift! 

 

Products we recommend:

For a professional sailor who loves to travel: 

• MyDaVinci Custom House Portraits
• Cadence Capsules
• Cotopaxi Cubo Packing Travel Bundle Del Día

 

For a sister who loves crafted and personalized things 

• AnnMariaJewelry Hammered Handwriting Cuff
• custom Funko Pop figurines

 

An upgrade to an everyday staple that anyone would love: 

• Zojirushi SM-KHE

 

Heritage Brand items for a couple who can afford the best

• Pendleton Block Plaid Organic Cotton Fringed Throw
• Falcon Enamelware 3-Pint Jug
• L.L.Bean Boat and Tote
• Shaker-Style Parlor Broom by Larry Antonuk
• Faribault Mill Monhegan Cotton Throw (formerly known as the Brahms Mount Monhegan throw)

 

For co-workers you want to impress without breaking the bank

• Standard Baggu Bag
• Baggu Go Pouch Set
• Stanley The IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler (20 ounces)
• TravelCard Plus travel charger
• Tusk Siam Passport Cover
• Luxardo Original Maraschino Cherries
• Fallot Dijon Mustard Pail
• Peregrino Anchovy Stuffed Olives

 

Hannah’s favorite new gift items 

• Block Design Reversible Glass Vase
• Sakura Cray-Pas 16 colors
• Tiny Vinyl

 

Additional reading:

• 54 Gifts for People Who Have Everything 2025
• My 16 Favorite Gifts for the Hard-to-Please
• You Asked, We Answered: 19 Gift Ideas for Older Adults
• .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}