Ever notice how some people are incredibly challenging to shop for? Some say they don’t want anything, while others already seem to have everything they need. Some love unexpected surprises, while others prefer choosing exactly what they want.
We‘ve observed it too and asked people to share their thoughts on LinkedIn. We created a poll and asked, Who is the Most Challenging Person to Choose a Gift For?
· Someone Who Doesn’t Need Anything
· Someone Who Has Everything
· Someone Who Wants to Be Surprised
· Someone Who Knows Exactly What They Want
Here are the results from our poll:
50% agreed it’s someone, Who Doesn’t Need Anything
When someone says “they don’t need anything”, there’s often a kind of calm honesty behind it. They’re often signaling that they care more about the connection than the exchange. They’re comfortable enough to opt out of the usual expectations. They prioritize experiences, relationships, or peace of mind over acquiring more possessions. They notice the effort, care, and intention. And when a gesture feels thoughtful and respectful of what they asked for, it shows someone listened and respected their preferences, while still finding a way to acknowledge them.
Without any extra care or thought, Chanchal observed, “the gift stops being about connection and becomes about execution. There's no room to surprise, delight, or show how you see them.”
This is usually someone with the means and willingness to purchase anything they choose. Because they already own most of what they need or enjoy, it can be difficult to find a gift that feels new, meaningful, or genuinely wanted. They also tend to expect very little from others, which can make choosing gifts for them even more challenging.
For Jenny, it’s the thought that people will likely purchase anything they truly need. “The gift becomes more of a representation of what I know or remember about them--that I thought of them enough to come up with a gift.”
There’s also someone who insists they don’t need anything, because they usually avoid buying nonessential items for themselves, even if they would enjoy them. In many ways, they can be easier to shop for because there are often thoughtful or indulgent things they would appreciate but would never choose to purchase on their own.
For Tiffany, the “has everything” and “doesn’t need anything” types are the most challenging. “It forces you to move beyond things and really think about meaning, effort, and thoughtfulness instead.”
25% agreed, it’s someone, Who Has Everything
For Pam, “the person who “has everything” always feels like the toughest one—hard to find something that actually stands out.”
It’s not that they’re impossible to buy for—it’s that the usual approach misses the point.
Rachel agreed. “My dad is by far the hardest person in my life to get gifts for. He doesn't WANT very much, so it's tough to find something he either needs or hasn't bought himself, or that might delight him in a surprising way.”
The most effective shift occurs when something feels personal. It’s less about the item itself and more about the gesture it communicates. A gift that reflects a shared memory, a sense of humor, or a moment someone didn’t have to remember—but did. These are the gifts that linger, not because of what they are, but because of what it communicates: I see you. I know you.
12.5% agreed, it’s someone, Who Wants to Be Surprised
People who “want to be surprised” are the ones who light up at the unexpected. For them, the excitement begins before the gift is even opened. It’s in the anticipation, the curiosity, the possibility that someone went out of their way to do something different. It shows a willingness to take a risk to create something memorable. And when it works, it doesn’t just give them something to hold—it gives them a moment that delights, amuses, or even challenges them. When someone asks for this type of experience, it goes beyond something ordinary and becomes extraordinary.
Muema agreed. “You’re almost designing an experience or a feeling, not just giving a gift.”
12.5% agreed, it’s someone Who Knows Exactly What They Want
For Peya, it’s that all of the "know exactly what they want people" also are "I'll get it myself once I know I want it,” which makes giving them gifts a challenge.
In the end, finding the right gift isn’t really about the item itself—it’s about understanding the people receiving the gifts. All of these people are asking for the same thing in different ways. Not more stuff, not perfection, not obligation—but connection. A sense that someone understands them well enough to choose something that reflects who they are.
For Kim, “finding a gift that strengthens a connection is what I hope to accomplish.”
And when a gift does that, no matter how small it is, it stops being just a gift. It becomes something much more meaningful. It becomes a gift from the heart.
