Gifts for someone who has everything in the UK

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.

Something they use up. Pump Street's bean-to-bar chocolate and the Daylesford box disappear by January, so they never become clutter.

Somewhere to go. The English Heritage membership is a year of outings to more than 400 sites, with children free. A sourdough class in Cambridge is a single day with a skill at the end.

A project. The Ooni gives a keen cook something new to master. Heywood Hill picks a year of novels for them, which suits a reader who has run out of ideas.

Budgets that make sense

You do not need to spend much. Under £20, the Burgon & Ball scissors are a good add-on for a gardener. Around £25, Pump Street chocolate. The middle band covers the membership, the HomePod mini, the teapot and the Garmin sleep monitor.

Above that, Heywood Hill, the Kobo and the Ooni are the big gifts. If several people are pitching in, buy one larger thing.

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.

Ignoring dietary details. Pump Street's Madagascar bar lists several allergens, and the Daylesford box has alcohol, nuts and gluten.

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

Timing and post

Choose the gift option on the English Heritage joining page and it can be sorted quickly. The Daylesford box is listed from 1 November and sells as Christmas gets closer. Royal Mail slows in December, and the Ooni arrives as a bulky parcel, so order it early.

For a membership, add something small to open on the day: a printed list of the sites nearest them, or a bar of chocolate for the first trip.

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.