Regardless of what religion you celebrate this time of year (or if any at all), December is traditionally the “season of giving.” Friends and family all come together to celebrate togetherness and generosity by giving each other gifts! However, if you do not know what to get someone, this happy season can quickly become stressful! Here are some ideas for a broad range of age groups and types of people to hopefully help keep your holidays happy instead of harrowing!

For The Kids (ages 0-6)

This age group’s favorite present: toys. These children are busy-bodies; always moving, getting bored with one thing and moving the next after 5 minutes. So to make their holiday one they will be told about with joy (since they most likely won’t actually remember it), go anywhere that sells kids toys. Look for dolls, trucks, legos, racetracks, and electric quad bikes for kids; basically anything with lots of colors and things that will keep a child occupied!

This age group also is still into the all imaginative games all the time. They play pretend, and they don’t think they are too old to play dress up yet! Maybe for some of the older members of this age group, some dress up items! Princess dresses and crowns, along with a tea-party set or a plastic vanity are always crowd pleasers for some young girls, and (based off of my 6 year-old cousins’ playroom) ninja, pirate, and superhero costumes are hits for the boys!

For the Tweens (ages 7-12)

For tweens, they are already stuck in the in between stages of being considered “little kids” and being “teenagers,” so they get presents from both ends of the spectrum. Some will receive presents they would have loved a year or two earlier, but feel too old for now, while some may get presents that they haven’t quite grown into yet. Yet, they still have the imaginative spirit of the little kids (for the most part), so outdoor presents are normally a hit! A new electric mountain bike, some roller skates, sports equipment, or a couple of backyard games (like a trampoline or corn hole) are all presents that they will be sure to love and get a lot of use out of!

However, for some they are ready to go ahead and be considered teenagers, so “older” presents are what they really want. Depending on the families perspective on these presents, many want electronics. Tablets and phones are normally received by children during this age group, and they love it! This age group is also (somewhat) more receptive to clothing. While it may not be the top of their list, stylish new clothes and/or shoes are always much appreciated!

For the Teens (ages 13-19)

Teenagers are traditionally thought of as the negative age group when it comes to kids. They go through their different “phases” and will manage to find the bad in whatever present they get, making the holiday season daunting for anyone buying for this age group, but it doesn’t need to be! The younger side of this group is adjusting to feeling older and being trusted with more responsibilities, while still being treated like children. It is safe to say they will like “older” presents. Stylish clothes and makeup are always good for the girls, and equipment for hobbies (eg. fishing, hunting, sports equipment) are great gifts for boys.

The “older” teenagers (in other words, the driving teenagers) begin to ask for more worldly gifts. They want things that have a proper use to them; like money, gift cards, clothes, and everyday items. Some examples of some of these everyday things are car improvements, a speaker, a portable charger, or a nice cup (like a Yeti, Swell, or something similar). These are things everyone wants/needs, but may not necessarily buy for themselves!

These teenagers are also getting to the age where they love experiences. A great gift idea, while definitely more expensive and involved, could be a fun trip to somewhere new! Whether it is relatively local (like getting a hotel room in Raleigh or Charlotte for a few days), slightly more spread out (like Washington D.C., New York, or California), or international (like Costa Rica or Europe), a trip would be a wonderful present that kept on giving with memories to last for years to come.

For the Adults (ages 20 and up)

Adults, similarly to teenagers, especially enjoy practical presents. If you know there is something they need, then give it to them! It will save them the money and hassle of getting it for themselves! If your mother keeps complaining about how her ovenmitts are starting to wear down, buy her some new ones! They may not seem like the best present on the surface, but she will appreciate it so much and get some good use out of your gift! This also touches on the idea of replacing things they already have, and have said they were going to get a new one, but just haven’t gotten around to it. Save them the trouble, and give it to them as a gift instead! Books and movies are also great presents\, as are personalized items. For example, my immediate family gave my grandparents a set of mugs that had pictures of their grandchildren’s faces on them as toddlers. Something practical and/or personal is always a good way to go when buying presents for adults!

As a general rule for all age groups, don’t stress while buying presents! Your gift will bring joy to them in one way or another. It may be cliche, but the saying “it’s the thought that matters” is true! They will be happy to know you were thinking of them, regardless of what you give them! But, also remember that the presents (while fun) are not the reason for the season; spending time with friends and family is. Enjoy the holiday season!