Gifts for someone who has everything in Canada

Four kinds of gift that work

People who have everything usually have enough objects. What they lack is time, novelty and reasons to go out. Skip the gadget aisle and pick one of four kinds of gift.

Somewhere to go. The Parks Canada Discovery Pass is a year of outings for a carload of up to seven, at more than 80 places. It gets used on family road trips, which is the point.

A project. Storyworth gives a parent a reason to write down their stories. The Ooni Koda 12 gives a keen cook something new to master. Cascadia is a smaller version: a calm game for a couple who like puzzles.

A donation in their name. A UNICEF School in a Box suits someone who would truly rather you bought nothing. It is a large amount, so it works best as a group gift.

Budgets that make sense

You do not need to spend much. At the low end, Cascadia gives a couple a new game for winter evenings. The middle band covers Storyworth, the Parks Canada pass, the HomePod mini and the Garmin sleep monitor.

Above that, the Revolution Wool throw, the Kobo and the Ooni are the big gifts. If several people are pitching in, one larger gift, or the UNICEF gift, goes over better than several small ones.

Mistakes to avoid

Buying a nicer version of something they already own. The HomePod mini makes sense for a kitchen without a speaker, not as a replacement.

Giving a project they did not ask for. Storyworth only works if they answer the weekly questions, and the finished book costs extra to ship to Canada. Know the person before you sign them up.

Asking them what they want. They will say nothing. Ask a partner or child what they have been doing lately: a new hobby, a trip, a cottage, a park they keep going back to.

Timing and delivery

Storyworth can be given by email the same day. The Parks Canada pass takes 5 to 10 business days to arrive, and the Ooni ships as a bulky box, so order both early. Some picks here are sold in US dollars, so check the final price at checkout.

For a pass, give something small to open on the day as well: a printed map of the parks you plan to visit, or a chocolate bar for the drive.

Questions people ask

What do you get someone who has everything?

Give something that does not add to the pile. Consumables like good chocolate or olive oil, a membership to historic sites or national parks, a project like Storyworth or a pizza oven, or a donation in their name all work. The goal is an experience or a habit they do not have yet, rather than a nicer version of an object they already own.

What is a good gift for a parent who has everything?

Storyworth is the strongest pick for a parent. They answer a weekly question and get a hardcover book of their stories at the end of the year, which the whole family keeps. A park or heritage membership is a good second choice because it brings the family out together. A wool throw suits a parent with a cottage.

Is a charity gift a good idea for someone who has everything?

It can be, if it matches what they care about. Charity gifts like the Oxfam goat or a UNICEF School in a Box are symbolic: the money goes to programs, not one animal or box. If you are unsure of their causes, a Kiva Card lets them choose the borrower themselves and lend the money again once it is repaid.

What can I give at the last minute to someone who has everything?

Pick something delivered by email. The Kiva Card, the Oxfam goat e-card and a Storyworth gift can all be sent the same day. Print the email or write a card explaining what it is, so there is still something to hand over at the table.