Gifts for someone who has everything, under £40
For someone who has everything, stop buying objects. Buy an experience, a skill, or a well-made treat with a story behind it, and keep it under £40.
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Everyone has a person like this. They own the gadget, the candle, the other candle, and a mug that says something about being the boss.
The way out is to stop looking at things they could buy themselves. Seven ideas below, each under £40, each checked against the five-point test. I have only listed what I can link to and have checked the prices of this week, so the list is seven, not seventy.
Experiences (they remember the night, not the item)
1. Wicked tickets, from £31
Tickets for the long-running London musical at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, from Theatre Tickets Direct, which says seat numbers are guaranteed before you pay. £31 is the cheapest seat when I checked; better seats cost more. Pick a date they can do. It is really a gift for two.
Why it passes: Memory and Story. People who have everything rarely have a night like this on the calendar. Longevity is low until the night itself. Ad · affiliate link See Wicked tickets at Theatre Tickets Direct
2. Guided Factory Tour at Triumph Motorcycles for One, £33
A guided tour of the Triumph factory in Hinckley, sold by Red Letter Days, which showed it at 4.5 out of 5 from two reviews. It only works for someone who likes bikes, but for that person it is hard to beat.
Why it passes: Story and Personal fit. It gives them something to tell. Low on Longevity, high on Memory. Ad · affiliate link See it at Red Letter Days
3. Slug and Lettuce Sweet Treat Experience for Two, £10
A Buyagift voucher for a selection of mini desserts for two at Slug and Lettuce, which Buyagift says has 50 locations. It is the cheapest idea here and works if you plan to go with them. Buyagift shows only three reviews, so keep your expectations sensible.
Why it passes: Memory, because it is shared time. It will not last, but it will not clutter the shelves either. Ad · affiliate link See it at Buyagift
A skill
4. Online Blogging, Vlogging and Social Media Influencer Bundle Course, £29.99
An online course bundle from Buyagift for someone who wants to start posting online. I cannot vouch for the teaching. It only suits a person who has said they want to try, but people who have everything are often the ones who want to learn something new.
Why it passes: Personal fit and Frequency, if it matches. It is also something they cannot buy themselves on a whim, because they have to want to do it. Wrong person, wrong gift. Ad · affiliate link See it at Buyagift
Treats worth having
5. Conscious Collection, £28
A gift hamper from Social Stories Club: Earl Grey tea, shortbread, dark chocolate with ginger and orange, and more, all from social enterprises. Social Stories Club says it is suitable for vegetarians, and lets you add a card or an extra treat. It is a consumable upgrade, so there is nothing to store.
Why it passes: Story, because each item comes from a social enterprise with a purpose. Frequency is low and Longevity is low, but nobody who has everything has too much good tea. Ad · affiliate link See it at Social Stories Club
6. Build Your Own Gift Box, 4 Treats, £26
You choose four items from Social Stories Club's range: chocolates, snacks, teas, coffees and small reusables such as tote bags and lip balms. It comes with a story booklet and a personalised note. It is the best option here when you know one or two things they like.
Why it passes: Personal fit, because you pick the contents. Story, from the booklet. It also lets you work round tastes and dietary needs. Ad · affiliate link See it at Social Stories Club
Something made for them
7. Personalised Photo Jigsaw Puzzle, from £13.99
A jigsaw made from your own photo, from Smartphoto. You upload the picture, so you need a good one, and delivery costs extra. Our estimate is about nine days, so order early. If you have the right photo, it is the most personal thing on this list.
Why it passes: Personal fit and Memory are as high as they get, because only you can supply the photo. Frequency is low (a jigsaw is a one-weekend gift) but the story lasts. Ad · affiliate link See it at Smartphoto
How to buy for someone who has everything
Think about what they do not buy themselves. People who have everything rarely buy experiences for themselves, or skills they have not got round to learning, or good versions of things they use up, like tea and chocolate.
Do not use price as a shortcut. Under £40 is plenty. A gift that fits the person at £15 beats a bigger gift that does not.
Look for the story. If you can say in one sentence why you chose it, it passes. If you cannot, put it back.
Skip the novelty. Anything that could go to anyone you know will be in the charity shop by February.
For the full method, read how we pick. It sets out the five-point test used above: Longevity, Memory, Personal fit, Frequency and Story.
Questions about gifts for someone who has everything
What do you buy someone who has everything?
Something they cannot already have: an experience, a skill, a well-made consumable, or something made from your own memories. Avoid objects that sit on a shelf. If you can say in one sentence why you chose it, it is probably right.
Is an experience better than a physical gift?
Often, but only if it fits. An experience for two needs a plus-one, and one that needs booking needs a free date. If they are hard to pin down, a treat box or a personalised item is a safer way to give them something they will remember.
How much should I spend on someone who has everything?
Less than you think. Under £40 buys a good experience, a well-made hamper or a personalised gift. Thoughtfulness comes from fit and meaning, not from how much you spend. A gift that clearly fits a person at £15 beats one that clearly does not at £60.
Are personalised gifts a good idea?
Yes, if you have a good photo or a real shared memory to use. Order early, because personalised items take longer. Our estimate for the photo puzzle is about nine days, delivery is extra, and these are estimates, not guarantees.
Does Mind The Gift cost anything to use?
No. It is free, and you do not need an account to get recommendations. We earn a commission if you buy through some links, which is how we pay for it. Links are labelled as affiliate links before you click, and our affiliate disclosure has the detail.
Want something more specific?
Still stuck? Tell the Mind The Gift quiz who the gift is for, your budget and how soon you need it, and it will suggest ideas from our catalogue with the reasoning shown. It is free and needs no sign-up. Try the quiz.
Also useful: Secret Santa gifts under £20, thoughtful last-minute gifts in the UK, how we pick and all our gift guides.