[Flowchart] A holiday gift guide: flowchart style

The year-end holiday season is a wonderful time we all look forward to! As you celebrate your holidays — be it Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or perhaps something else — don’t get stressed out about choosing the right presents. If you’re still looking for that perfect idea, follow our holiday gift guide flowchart.

Although the season is about more than presents, it’s always exciting to surprise your loved ones with a thoughtful, hand-picked gift. Are they travelers looking for a good deal on an exotic vacation? Or a food connoisseur looking to master a new recipe? Depending on their personality, you can hone in on a unique gift they’re sure to enjoy this year!

 

Tips for choosing the right gift

Picking out a gift that will bring joy to your loved one for months (or years) to come is easier said than done. Some people are collectors, making it difficult to find something they don’t already have. Others have niche tastes, and you have to do a lot of detective work to learn more about their interests. If you checked our gift guide flowchart and still need advice on hunting down the perfect present, read on for helpful tips.

1. Solve a problem

Can you think of any recent complaints or problems your gift recipient has mentioned? Instead of trying to find the most epic gift, focus on something your loved one actually needs. Do you have a friend who’s dealing with neck strain? Find a vibrating neck pillow. Is your sibling too swamped with work to handle household responsibilities? Lighten their burden by gifting them a house-cleaning session.

The most successful gifts solve a problem and provide lasting value. Professor Dumbledore wasn’t joking when he said that all he wanted for Christmas was a good pair of socks. Warm, cozy coverings for your feet are never a bad thing.

2. Check social media

When it comes to relatives you don’t see often, it’s difficult to know what hobbies they’re into these days. Fortunately, most people have a very active social media presence. A quick look at their social media interests and Likes can help you decide which product categories to explore.

3. Update an old favorite

Sometimes, you don’t have to be creative at all. If an item your loved one regularly uses is worn out, consider replacing it with a top-notch upgrade. Just try and determine whether the original item has a lot of sentimental value before buying a new one.

4. Pamper their furry friends

Pet lovers are happy when their furry friends are happy. So, if you can’t think of the perfect gift for your loved one, why not pamper their pets? The recipient will love seeing their fur babies in adorable costumes or enjoying fun toys.

5. Play “would you rather” gift style

If you’re trying to keep your intentions under wraps, go into stealth mode with a game of “Would you rather?” For example, ask your loved one if they would rather travel somewhere they’ve never visited or do a fun activity they’ve never tried? Have something retro and nostalgic or the latest novelty? Win money or win a free service? Try to introduce the topic into conversation naturally, so you don’t tip off the gift recipient.

Final thoughts

Gift-giving is a very personal experience, and the most important thing is to put thought and meaning into your decision. Your loved one will surely appreciate whatever you pick, so don’t get overwhelmed by having too many choices.

We hope our gift guide helped you brainstorm a few ideas. While it’s undeniably awesome, a gift guide is just one way to use flowcharts. They’re also great for outlining a process, making a decision, plotting a story, and many other tasks. Want to make your own flowchart? Try Cacoo today.

 

This post was originally published on December 4, 2018, and updated most recently on December 29, 2021.