What to Get Someone Who Has Everything (14 Great Ideas)

Are you struggling to find the perfect gift for someone who seems to have everything?

We asked professionals for some recommendations that might help you out.

Yaniv Masjedi

I’ve been very fortunate to work with some high net worth individuals, whether teammates or associates outside of our organization. In the course of both business and building personal relationships with these individuals, I find myself running across the same challenge time and time again.

How do I choose a gift that won’t be without worth, for someone whose net worth in dollars is more than I’ll ever be able to compete with?

Choose gifts tied to the receiver’s personality

I finally settled on a gift from the heart. I wait for a gift idea that I know is directly tied to their personality, before I ever try to gift someone anything at all.

If I can’t identify a single of their hobbies, who their closed loved ones are, or even whether or not they have a pet, then I probably don’t know them well enough to gift anything personally.

Gift cards

Of course, there are instances where culture demands we make a gift to a total stranger. In these cases, I try to give them something that will be almost immediately usable, so they aren’t forced to hold onto it while being a highly mobile/busy individual.

Perhaps a gift card to a local (to them) experience, or even something redeemable online. Maybe I’ll offer the gift of my time such as to personally pick them up from / drop them off at the airport, etc.

Personal gifts make for the most cherished!

Related: Best Gifts for Your Boss

Timothy G. Wiedman, D.B.A., PHR Emeritus

Associate Prof. of Management & Human Resources (Retired)

A bottle of good wine

Even if that person isn’t much of a drinker, most folks will appreciate receiving a bottle of vintage champagne that’s appropriate to open on a special occasion (e.g., an anniversary, birthday, or even New Year’s Eve) to share with friends during a toast!

Perrier-Jouet Champagne Belle Epoque is an excellent choice. If that seems a bit too ‘pricey’, Perrier-Jouet Champagne Grand Brut is also an alternative.

Holly Wolf

Director of Customer Engagement, SOLO Laboratories, Inc.

Here’s what I do for people who have everything. This included friends and aging family members who didn’t want stuff.

Make a donation

You can support a cause that is meaningful or consider a donation to a destination/historical place that you enjoyed together. Perhaps you visited a national park together or a historical site. Consider supporting that and share in a note that tells them that the memory you have was meaningful and you’d like to help maintain that place so others have the same experience.

Pay it forward

Consider making a meal or doing a random act of kindness for someone. Then share that story with your friend telling her how much you know she would appreciate the act of kindness on her behalf. You are reflecting her kindness and compassion in your act to others.

Create a scrapbook

Take the old photos of her and make a scrapbook of memories.

Write a letter

Have you really shared why this person means so much to you? Write it as if you were telling people at her funeral. Share it as if you were confiding in a friend. Tell her now, while she can appreciate it.

Offer your help

Instead of giving a gift, give the gift of your time. Perhaps she would appreciate help organizing photos or posting items for sale on the internet or needs someone to take items to the homeless shelter, Goodwill or animal shelter because she never has time. I know I’d appreciate that type of help more than any gift.

Laura Mael

Public Relations Officer, Settlers Bank

I find myself in this dilemma all the time. My parents are 70, my boyfriend is 61, my kids are young adults and don’t like what I buy them anyway and my girlfriends buy themselves what they want as soon as they want it.

So, I’ve devised myself a strategy. I asked myself, self, what’s most important to you in this world? It’s to give back to others. So, I thought about it and came up with this strategy:

Buy from resale shops with a cause

I wanted to give gifts, real tangible items that I could gift-wrap all nice that likely you couldn’t order on Amazon or walk into a store and purchase.

In addition, these purchases need to be made at a place that gave back to the community in which I live. The answer was simple – resale shops. St. Vincent De Paul, Goodwill, A Grace Hospice Thrift Store, Door Creek Church’s Boomerang’s Resale Store, Dane County Humane Society Thrift Store and many more!

Now, whenever there is a holiday that requires a gift – I purchase something at one of the local thrift/resale stores in my area plus I purchase a gift card for the recipient!

So far I’ve found some pretty unique items that I haven’t seen other places for less than $10 and everyone is always excited to receive not only the item but the gift card as well.

Here are a few examples of what I’ve given:

Fancy gift boxes with unique decorations
A WTF (Wine Time Now) olive green, cloth jean material gift bag
A weird wooden box that when you slide the top over a small wooden head of a snake creeps out
Japanese dining set for two with bamboo placemats and chopsticks
A variety of really old books with beautiful covers

Christine Scott-Hudson, MA, MFT, ATR

Licensed Psychotherapist | Marriage and Family Therapist | Owner, Create Your Life Studio

Give a gift from your heart like handmade pieces

Make a list of 10 things you truly love about them. Handwrite it and frame it so they can look at it often. Or, get a few of your favorite pictures together and frame them in a double frame, or put them in a photo album.

Write out what you enjoyed about those times together and seal it in an envelope with stickers and glitter. Write them a poem, a haiku, or a few memories of your favorite times together.

Gift them something irreplaceable, like something they already love of yours, or something silly like a handmade T-shirt you’ve written a private joke between the two of you on, or bake them a homemade cake, brownies, or their favorite cookies.

Related: Best Thank You Gifts

Give them an experience

Take them to a drive-in movie, or on a picnic. Take them to a museum, or bowling, or to the zoo. Spend quality time with them. Make new memories. Let them know how much they truly mean to you!

Mary Beth Reeves

Owner, Porch Swing Publishing

My father is one of those people who is impossible to buy gifts for. He has everything he wants or needs and always insists that no one get him anything. After years of feeling guilty, I finally found something he would want, that I could give him and it was right under my nose.

Give something that highlights good memories

A custom photo book of his pictures. It is what my company specializes in, doing all the work for you, taking your pictures and mementos and creating an archival-quality photobook.

This time though, I didn’t give him a book of the grandkids, that one I had done several times, I gave him a book to commemorate his epic Route 66 road trip. It was a trip he had been wanting to take since he was a boy, and he planned the trip for over a year with his friend the first year of his retirement.

With the help of his travel partner, I got their pictures, and some stories, and made it into a book. He loved it and I finally found something personal to him that he would never have done for himself.

Andy LaPointe

Managing Director, Traverse Bay Farms

The only thing to get something who has everything is great tasting food

Food is more than a gift. It is an experience and many with hectic schedules really appreciate the experience of enjoying a good meal or tasty snack.

Dylan Houlihan

Personal Finance Blogger, Swift Salary

Give experiences

Instead of giving them a physical object, create a memory with them that will last forever. Do something that you’ll both enjoy, something new and exciting. Rock climbing, white water rafting, find something that will bring you both to life!

Even a person who has everything may not yet have a memory of doing something new and exciting with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most priceless gift you can give someone?

The most priceless gift you can give someone is your time and attention. Giving someone your full attention and being present at the moment with them can mean a lot and create a strong bond.

Additionally, demonstrating love, kindness, and compassion towards others is also a valuable gift that doesn’t cost anything but can have a profound impact. Ultimately, it’s the thought and the emotional connection behind a gift that makes it priceless, not its monetary value.

How can I make sure the gift is unique?

To make a gift unique, consider the recipient’s interests, hobbies, and tastes. Tailor the gift to their specific needs and preferences rather than opting for a generic or mass-produced item. You can also add a personal touch to the gift, such as engraving their name or adding a special message.

Another option is to create a one-of-a-kind experience rather than giving a physical item. For example, you could plan a special outing, such as a picnic in the park or a day trip to a nearby city, or give the gift of an adventure, like a hot air balloon ride or a skydiving experience.

What are some unique gift ideas for the person who has everything?

Finding a unique gift for someone who seems to have everything can be challenging. Here are a few ideas that might help:

• Customized item: Consider customizing a product, such as a photo book, a phone case, or a piece of jewelry, with a personal message or image.

• Experience: Give the gift of an experience, such as a cooking class, a wine tasting, or a hot air balloon ride.

• Subscription service: Give a subscription to a monthly box service that delivers unique items related to a particular interest, such as coffee, books, or snacks.

• Charitable donation: Make a donation in the recipient’s name to a charity they support.

• Unique artwork: Give a one-of-a-kind piece of art, such as a handcrafted painting or a sculpture made by a local artist.

What gift to give if I want to give a sentimental gift?

Sentimental gifts are a great way to show someone that you care and to commemorate a special moment or memory. Here are a few ideas for sentimental gifts:

• A photo album or scrapbook: Fill a photo album or scrapbook with pictures and memories of your time together.

• A personalized piece of jewelry: Give a piece of jewelry, such as a locket or a custom-engraved pendant, that can be cherished for years to come.

• A memory box: Create a memory box filled with mementos, such as ticket stubs, postcards, and other keepsakes from special events or trips.

• A custom-made blanket or pillow: Give a blanket or pillow that has been custom-made with a special message or picture.

• A handwritten letter or journal: Write a heartfelt letter or create a journal filled with your thoughts, feelings, and memories.

• A custom-framed print or canvas: Give a custom-framed print or canvas featuring a special picture or message.

• A special keepsake: Give a keepsake, such as a custom-engraved keychain or a sentimental trinket box, that can be treasured for years to come.

What gift to give if I want to give a creative and unique gift?

Consider the recipient’s interests and personality if you’re looking for a creative and unique gift. Here are a few ideas:

• A DIY kit: Give a do-it-yourself kit for a craft, such as soap-making, candle-making, or terrarium-building.

• A custom map: Give a custom map of a special place, such as the recipient’s hometown, a favorite vacation spot, or a meaningful location.

• A unique kitchen gadget: Give a unique and functional kitchen gadget, such as an unusual cutting board, a spiralizer, or a sous vide machine.

• A custom portrait: Give a custom portrait, either hand-drawn or digital, of the recipient, their pet, or a special memory.

• A unique home decor item: Give a unique and functional home decor item, such as a custom-made wall clock, a geometric terrarium, or a one-of-a-kind vase.

What gift to give if I’m on a tight budget?

There are many great gift options that don’t have to break the bank. Here are a few ideas:

• Homemade gifts: Baked goods, handcrafted jewelry, or homemade candles can be thoughtful and personal gifts.

• Coupons: Create a coupon book filled with offers for things like a home-cooked meal, a movie night, or doing chores for the recipient.

• A handwritten letter: Write a heartfelt letter expressing your love and appreciation for the recipient.

• A potted plant: A beautiful, low-maintenance plant can be a thoughtful and long-lasting gift.

• A photo book: Put together a photo book or scrapbook filled with memories and special moments shared with the recipient.

• A fun activity: Plan a fun activity, like a picnic in the park, a game night, or a hike, and spend quality time together.

Remember, the most important thing is to show the recipient that you care, and the value of a gift isn’t always determined by its cost. You can give a memorable and meaningful gift with a little creativity and effort, even on a tight budget.