We all know at least one person in our lives whose birthday sparks dread; they either have everything they need, prefer to choose their belongings themselves, or live a life of minimalism. In fact, many are beginning to prefer experiences over ‘stuff’, as living clutter-free can come with many advantages. This can leave loved ones scratching their heads over what to buy. Some people seem really impossible to buy for. But not for long, read on for some ideas!

In this article, we’ll be exploring some of the more unusual gift ideas to consider when showing your friend or family member some love at Christmas or on their birthday. Before you stick some money in a card and call it a day, why not investigate the following memory-making gift ideas, so that you can truly astonish your hard-to-buy-for giftee…

A speed boat experience

You’ve probably heard of track days, but swapping a high adrenaline car journey for a ride aboard a speedboat could both surprise and delight in a similar way. Not only can you enjoy the exhilaration of travelling open waters, but you could learn a thing or two at the same time; many speedboat experiences include some sightseeing, landmark spotting, and some local knowledge from your captain.

So whether your loved one takes to the Thames or dons a life jacket for Loch Lomond, they’ll feel the wind in their hair, take in impressive scenery, and soak up local history and heritage. Who knows, they may even choose you as their plus one!

A potted plant

Nothing says ‘light hearted gift’ more than the responsibility of caring for something for the rest of its natural life – no, it’s not a puppy, it’s a little something green to brighten up a dark corner – a houseplant! House plants make very suitable, versatile gifts, affordable enough not to break the bank, but thoughtful enough to give the recipient something nice to look at, improve the air inside their home, and remind them of you to boot.

Bonus points for a plant that’s a little more unusual-looking – our personal pick is the frothy Asparagus Fern. Then you could also buy them an indoor gardening book so their new plant thrives.

Wine Tasting

Got a friend with a refined palette? Wine tasting can be a fantastic present for the person in your life for whom gifts seem impossible to buy.

A day out at a local vineyard sampling wines made from the grapes grown in front of your very eyes sounds pretty dreamy, right? This escape from everyday life, with some delicious wines and potentially a tour of the vineyard itself included too is exactly what you’re giving to that special person.

For an extra charge, many vineyards will also provide the option to grab a bite to eat, or even stay the night, turning that experience into a break to look forward to.

Quirky card games

Quite literally, these are the gifts that keep on giving. There are endless laughs to be had when you deviate from traditional board games and opt for a modern card game instead, meaning you could give the gift of many evenings of fun.

Card games that could test players’ knowledge, bravery, or threshold for embarrassment can make your parties, games nights and even rainy afternoons go down a storm, making the giftee very popular indeed.

A day of wild foraging

Getting out in nature is a great way to unwind – but could it also be an opportunity to find your dinner? A foraging workshop helps you to safely identify the items within nature’s larder, whilst having a nice walk in the fresh air too.

There are many foraging opportunities across the UK, allowing you to treat your loved one to a day out locally that consists of foraging, gathering, and, importantly, eating!

A rage room experience

Let’s face it, life often throws us curve balls that make us want to throw something right back, but how often do we physically get to do that? Almost never, unless a very kind person (that’s you), gives a rage room experience gift to another (in this case, that’s your tricky customer).

Rage rooms are less about throwing and more about smashing, so the principal is the same; you get to seriously vent. In a controlled environment, and following a rather necessary safety briefing, you’re let loose in a room full of breakables, from plates to old TVs.

It’s likely the person in receipt of a rage room voucher may never have experienced anything quite like it, earning you those coveted gift-giver’s brownie points.

Personalised food

In a pinch, you can’t go far wrong with gifting food to your fussy friend or family member, but to put some extra thought into it, you could get it made especially for them. From the conventional, such as personalised cakes, chocolate or even cookies, to the downright bizarre (we’re talking specifically about personalised potatoes), your edible gift could make their day.