Gift Idea Generator
Random Christmas and birthday gift ideas for a partner, parent, child, friend or colleague — things, experiences or homemade gifts.
About this tool
Stuck on what to give? Choose who the gift is for — partner, parent, child, friend or colleague — and whether you want a thing, an experience or something homemade, and get random gift ideas without repeats. 75 practical, brand-free ideas for Christmas, birthdays and thank-yous, from a weekend away to a jar of homemade jam. Click again for new suggestions.
Frequently asked questions
Start with the person, not the shop: what do they spend their free time on, and what have they mentioned wanting to do? Then choose the kind of gift — a thing, an experience or something homemade — and use the generator for concrete ideas to adapt.
Often, yes. Tickets, a course or a day out together give a memory instead of another object, and suit people who already have most things. Check the date and the person’s calendar first, or give a voucher so they can choose when.
In the UK and the EU (and Norway), most goods bought online can be cancelled within 14 days of delivery. Exchanges of items bought in a shop are usually a store policy, not a legal right, so ask for a gift receipt and check the return deadline.
75 ideas: five for each combination of five recipients and three kinds of gift. Choose a recipient and a kind to narrow the list, or “Anyone” and “All kinds” to mix everything. Each click draws up to 20 ideas without repeats.
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