Alright, so here’s the thing: gift shopping? It never actually gets easier. I don’t care what anyone says. Every time a birthday or holiday pops up, I’m back in the same mess—wandering through kitchen gadgets, panic-buying “fun” socks, and low-key panicking I’ll pick something that screams “boy” or “girl” and then, oops, everyone’s uncomfortable. Trying to land on a truly gender-inclusive gift is basically my shortcut to avoiding that whole “wait, is this too girly? Too bro-y? Too… something?” spiral. The relief? Real. But wow, the process is still a mess. I scroll through endless “best gift” lists, lose half an hour, and realize most of the “safe” picks are either $100 candles (seriously?) or mugs with fake-deep slogans. Are we all pretending mugs are life-changing? I’m not convinced.

I spotted this Cosmopolitan list—“49 gender-neutral gifts that every person on this planet will love.” Every person? Even my uncle who still hasn’t figured out how to use a Keurig? Doubtful, but whatever, the idea’s solid: if you pick something neutral and clever (like those friendship lamps, plant kits, or puzzles you actually want to finish), you don’t have to stress so much. SPF 30 is the dermatologist’s go-to, but who’s actually reapplying? Not me. Once, I gave this exfoliating set that claimed it was “for all,” and the thank-you text I got was way too enthusiastic. I’m 95% sure half of it got re-gifted, but hey, at least nobody looked at me weird.

There’s this “expert tip” floating around (Billboard? Maybe?) that says to ignore the packaging and just actually notice what your friend likes. Like, if they’re obsessed with their homebrew, skip the vanilla candles and get them some weird glassware. Universal gifts aren’t just “playing it safe”—they’re how I stop myself from spiraling about whether I’m accidentally being weird. But, real talk, why are those friendship lamps always out of stock the moment I need one? Someone explain.

Understanding Gender-Inclusive Gift Giving

Here’s another thing: the holidays roll around, and suddenly everyone’s getting a unicorn mug or a “BBQ King” spice set, and then it’s just a parade of forced smiles because nobody actually wanted any of this. I swear, practical gifts get tangled in the world’s worst stereotypes, and the whole “for him/for her” aisle in every store? It’s weird. Why do we still do that?

The Value of Inclusivity in Gift Choices

Saw a stat the other day—60% of corporate gift buyers default to “softer” stuff for women, “practical” for men (Corporate Gift Association, 2025). Not evil, just lazy. It boxes everyone in. So, yeah, a gender-neutral gift like a solid thermos, wireless earbuds, or even a streaming subscription? Way less likely to get a fake thank-you or that look of “what am I supposed to do with this?”

People keep acting like “inclusive gifting” is the next big thing, but isn’t it just common sense? Buy stuff people can actually use, skip the scents unless you’re 100% sure, and maybe don’t get me started on bath sets with allergens. Minimalist watches, plant kits, things that don’t scream “this is for a man/woman/other”—those are the brands I trust not to make it weird. It’s not about being boring, it’s just… why not get real about what people actually like?

Common Challenges and Awkward Moments

Picking something neutral sounds easy, but then you’re terrified of getting it wrong and making it worse. I watched HR hand out pink mugs to women, black pens to men—office party went dead silent. Nobody wants to be the person who accidentally reinforces a stereotype, but it happens all the time.

Kids catch onto this stuff way too fast. Suddenly, certain toys are “not for you,” and parents have to explain why anyone can paint or build robots. The fear of messing up means people just hand over a generic card or, honestly, nothing at all. My only real trick: ask what they want, give a short list, or pick an experience gift like a digital class or gift card. No one’s ever faked gratitude when they can pick what they want.

Still, I see people grab whatever’s closest at the checkout. Sometimes it works, but it’s never because the gift was “perfect”—more like, nobody cared enough to make it awkward.

Top Gender-Neutral Gift Ideas

Every year I swear I’m done with mugs and candles, but then I remember: the only gifts that don’t get returned are the ones people would’ve bought anyway. No guilt, no shame, no awkward “oh, thanks…” texts. Just stuff people actually want.

Universal Tech and Gadgets

Ever try decoding someone’s Amazon wish list? It’s a nightmare. But a USB-C charger? Nobody’s ever mad about that. My cousin’s ancient headphones finally died, so I grabbed wireless earbuds—worked with everything, even his weird old laptop. I keep seeing Anker and Jabra everywhere, and Wirecutter says they’re the least risky bets.

Why does every house have a power outage the week before Christmas? I don’t get it, but portable power banks save the day. Big battery, matte finish, works for everyone. Heated mugs, smart bulbs, Bluetooth speakers—none of it screams “for men” or “for women.” Most people are just relieved it’s not another novelty apron. Supposedly, you’re 47% more likely to keep a gadget you didn’t pick yourself (GiftIQ says so, but who checks these numbers?).

Home and Lifestyle Gifts

Can we talk about how much useless home junk shows up on gift guides? I gave up and started buying weighted blankets. The science is, uh, questionable, but my uncle’s slept through three family dinners under his, so that’s proof enough. Sainsbury’s claims electric kettles are the UK’s favorite house gift—I’ve given five, no complaints.

Plants! Not the drama-queen ones that die if you look at them wrong. Succulents, pothos, snake plants. I wrap them in brown paper, scribble “Keep Alive” on the side, and toss in a spray bottle. Everybody loves it. Candles—just go unscented. Cire Trudon is fancy, IKEA’s fine, and the only person who ever complained was allergic to wax (he never shows up anyway).

Personalized Experiences

People love to hate on gift cards, but every time I hand out an Airbnb or Netflix card, nobody complains. Probably because nobody wants to be stuck with someone else’s idea of fun. Museum memberships? Shockingly useful, especially if you have no clue what someone’s into. I once tried giving a self-defense class—total flop. Cooking classes, dance workshops, though? Those are always fun, nobody storms out halfway.

Personalized video greetings are a thing now (not just celebrities, either). Ingrid Oppermann called them a “microtrend,” whatever that means. Tickets to random events are risky unless you’re angling for an invite, but movie passes or bowling? Safe. Honestly, the best gifts let people do what they want, when they want. Bonus points if nobody has to wear a swimsuit.