Gift Ideas For People Who Are Hard To Shop For: A Guide By Our Favorite Experts
Holiday shopping can be very stressful when you’re trying to find the perfect gift for the most difficult people to find gifts for. To help you with your gift challenges we reached out to some of our favorite tastemakers who are admired for their signature styles, great taste and exceptional ability to find the best of everything in all price points.
These are their insights and recommendations on how to achieve your gift list goals.
Joanna Preysler Francisco
Woman of Style, Purveyor of Fashion and Art, Business Woman, Designer, creator and owner of Carbon, Eterno, Joann Preysler Boutique, Tint and Provenance Gallery, Wife of Raul Francisco and Mother of three
Joanna Preysler-Francisco
The person who has everything:
If the person is a girl, I would give her one of my custom-made jackets from Tint. Either in camou or in denim, it’s a great addition to any wardrobe. For a man, I would give him a croc utility case from Eterno. Because even the man who has everything should carry his gear in style.
Someone you want to impress like your boss or a big client:
I would give him or her a luxe croc bag or a good bottle of Armagnac.
Your parents:
A day of pampering at the spa, with delicious food and champagne.
Luxe croc bags by Joanna Preysler
Anton Barretto
Editor–In-Chief Metro Home & Entertaining Magazine, Associate Editor Metro Society Magazine, Creative Director Floriade, Restaurateur, Owner of Nest Furniture and Design
Anton Barretto
The person who has everything:
Every year I try to think of new things to give away. This year I am making special fresh flower table arrangement with a Christmas motif. Rich red flowers and fresh berries with pinecones, cinnamon sticks and a lot of cypress, pine and eucalyptus leaves.
Someone you want to impress like your boss or a big client:
Custom made boxes clad in shagreen, leather or croc in different shapes and sizes.You can never go wrong with gifts that are useful, versatile and beautiful.
Your parents:
A trip where the whole family can enjoy precious family time and bonding moments
Flowers by Anton Barretto
Bettina Osmena
Breast Cancer Prevention Advocate, Member and Former Chairman of I Can Serve Foundation, Home Chef, Self-Confessed Bazaar Veteran, Entrepreneur, Owner of Gourmet Kitchen, Loving Wife of Senator Serge Osmena and Mother of four
Bettina Osmena
The person who has everything:
A beautiful flowering tree for the home or a rare ornamental plant if he/she lives in a condo.
Someone you want to impress like your boss or a big client:
I would give a bottle of very good wine or if he or she doesn’t drink then a bloc of pate de fois gras or a jar of caviar.
Your parents:
To be practical I would ask them what they want. If it’s a high-ticket item then I would share the gift with my siblings.
Caviar
Tania Fricke Lichauco
Woman of Style, Interior Designer, Business Woman and Mother of two
Tania Fricke-Lichauco
The person who has everything:
Because the true essence of Christmas is centered on Christ and sharing any gift you give is a reflection of you--any small token to a person who has everything will sincerely be appreciated as it is sure to come from the heart.
Someone you want to impress like your boss or a big client:
Food is always something that I give to impress, whether cooked or a combination of delicacies and herbs that can be combined to prepare something special. I make sure they are always beautifully packaged and scented like Christmas.
Your parents:
I like giving my parents individual “personal” gifts that they wouldn’t normally buy for themselves and a gift they can share, like something that will help them spend quality time together.
His and hers bathrobes for an ultimate spa experience
Marissa Lopa
Stylist, Entrepreneur, Associate Editor Metro Home & Entertaining, Mother of two
Marissa Lopa
The person who has everything:
If they are animal lovers, I would donate an amount to PAWS or CAT Care Philippines on their behalf.
Someone you want to impress like your boss or a big client:
A box of fresh cherries or a box of assorted Spanish goodies like ham, wine, olives. A store like Terry’s Selection is great for this.
Your parents:
A leg of Jamon Jabugo because my mom loves this and my dad will have to like it too.
A box of fresh cherries
Monchet Olives
Heritage Fan Maker, Gallivant and Arbiter of Good Things
Monchet Olives. Photo: www.occasionsofjoy.com?
The person who has everything:
A gift in their name to a favorite charity. Like tokens from Hands on Manila, I Can Serve Foundation and others. My personal choice, make a specialty dish--from my home to theirs.
Someone you want to impress like your boss or a big client:
Something related to a present hobby or predilection will never go wrong. Connive with their EA or Secretary to see what they like. The gift should show personality without being too familiar. Monogrammed or personalized is the way to go. For wine lovers, a monogrammed decanter; for budding cooks, a butcher block; for photographers, lens cleaners; natty dressers, monogrammed handkerchiefs.
Your parents:
Monogrammed pillows or sheeting, a collection of photos from their youth in a nice frame, an experience they would enjoy together, be it year long passes to the movies or a memorable dinner date.
Personalized gift cards from horchow.com
Monogrammed cloche from horchow.com
Personalized butcher's block
Most experts will tell you that the best gifts come from people who took the time to consider what the recipient may want and need. However, if you’re pressed for time and have no way of getting a personalized or specialized item--do not despair. As presented by our friends, there are really many options to choose from. What matters is that the gift, whether expensive or not, reflects a sense of thoughtfulness and effort on your part.
