A Gift Guide for Serial Gifters

Oh, where would we all be without the serial gifters? The people who say, “I think I’ve just about done all my Christmas shopping” and you look up to see that the calendar says: ‘June’. The people who actually buy Christmas presents every month of the year - partly because they’re humungous-hearted softies, but also because they know that if they didn’t they’d be manically running around shopping centres on December 23. 

Look: if you can be a serial of anything, a serial gifter is a great way to go, right? But even the people who buy a little something for everyone need a little help too. So, serial gifters, this one’s for you!

Gifts for parents

Whether you’re buying for your beloved parents, or someone else’s slightly less beloved parents, we know they’ll get a kick out of the Ninja Double Stack XL SL400UK Fryer. At £179 this is worth every penny: an air fryer with six cooking functions, which allows you  to cook four foods at the same time. You can even fit an entire roast chicken in each of the four drawers, meaning you might even think about taking Jim Morrison’s BBQ crown (“I ate more chicken than any man ever seen” The Doors frontman famously sang). Easy to clean? Yes. Dishwasher-safe? Oh yes. You know what parents are like - they will probably describe this as the greatest present they have ever received. They might even get a bit teary.

Gifts for introverts

The serial gifter might struggle with the introvert, what with all the staying in and not saying a huge amount about their hobbies and interests. But rather than trying to interest them in a present they might pretend to like but ultimately abandon, the best thing to do when buying a gift for an introvert is to lean into their introversion. They like staying in and enjoying their own company? Great. With that in mind, we’d suggest a refurbished set of Beats Studio Pro headphones, coming in at only £184. This pair is black and gold and is both wireless and noise-cancelling. When you’re next trying to have a chat with them and they put their finger to their lips and slip on their Beats, at least you can take some comfort in knowing that they’re enjoying the present you got them.

If they’re the kind of introvert who likes to stay home and listen to banging music, then the Majority P200 Bluetooth speakers (only £60) are a great move. These dual 4” speaker drivers will send your friend’s tunes around the living room, letting them imagine they’re at a club without having to deal with all of the, you know, people.

Gifts for extroverts

For the serial gifter, an extrovert presents loads of tantalising possibilities. It may be a little on the nose but, for those who like to get out there and make some noise, a speaker is a fabulous Christmas gift. And this iconic JBL Charge 5 speaker (just sneaking in under £100 at £99) will do wonders for the extrovert in your life who loves to crank the tunes out. This little fella is portable - so your friend can take it wherever they like, blasting out Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien in the park or at a party. Has it got Bluetooth? Absolutely. Has it got style? Absolutely. Just don’t blame us if the neighbours complain about the volume. 

Another option for the friend who loves to host is a Ninja electric barbecue. This deluxe model, refurbished but good as new, can grill and smoke their food to absolute perfection. And, as soon as you’ve gifted it to them, you can pop round with your sausages ready for a good time. The barbecue is partly for you, after all.

Gifts for your friend who trips over their own shoelaces

Every serial gifter, and indeed everyone on Earth, knows someone who is always dropping their phone onto the floor, onto their face, and even into the toilet. Luckily, Back Market have a range of screen protectors available. They’ve got great protective cases for iPhones of all shapes and sizes, ranging from £16.99 to £19.99, but there are tons of options for Samsung and Google fans as well. You can’t stop someone being a klutz, but you can mitigate some of the damage. Would you describe a gift like this as sexy? Maybe not. Would you describe the person who gave it as sexy? Definitely. 

Gifts that will make you the #1 uncle or auntie

If you’re lucky enough to be an auntie or an uncle, you know that it can come with many of the joys of parenthood and almost none of the stress. Coordinate with your sibling on this one, of course, but rest assured: if you hand over a Nintendo Switch to your niece or nephew, you are essentially going to be the coolest person on the planet for the foreseeable future (which, in young people terms, might mean four to six days). This game console has a huge game library, boasting a plethora of timeless classics. And, when you buy a refurbished but still beautifully intact model from Back Market, it will only set you back £192, and you’ll also do your bit to minimise an always-upgrade culture that’s bad for the planet’s e-waste levels. 

A final note, then, on the serial gift-giver. Where would we be without this MVP and their colour-coded spreadsheets? We need serial gifters like we need turkey and tinsel; like we need the sprouts and surprises of Christmas dinner. If you’re a serial gifter and you’re reading this, remember to treat yourself. If you know a serial gifter, remember to look after the person who looks after everyone else. Take a leaf out of their book. Get something special for them. Something they’ll absolutely bloody love.