Gift Ideas For New Friends You Aren’t Sure Are Going To Get You Something (So You Have Something Just In Case)

I have this friend I’ve made in the last year who is the very best gift-giver. We will be meeting out at dinner and she will come with a thoughtful gift she just “knew would be perfect”. And of course, when we met for Christmas cocktails she had a gift for me and I was empty-handed. I felt like a slug. Never again! Here are some good go-tos to have on hand:

Stanley Cup Snack Bowl

If your new friend has a Stanley cup they use as an emotional support water bottle (like me), get them this fun snack tray!

Book Reading Light

I’m always in search of the “perfect” reading light. Somehow having the lamp on at night makes everything too bright and this neck light is exactly right.

Kitsch Hair Wrap

This is one of those things you would really love to have but you never buy for yourself.

Lion Latch Jewelry Holder

I saw this advertised everywhere before I got mine. I wear rings on both hands and I take off my right-hand rings while playing pickleball. Lola uses this during tennis matches.

Conversation Pack

I’m a sucker for a conversation starter. A guest gave me a pack of questions for a Thanksgiving hostess gift and it kept the entire table in stitches.

Non-Alcoholic Beers

We are big fans of Athletic Brewing over here. We have worked to reduce the amount of alcohol we drink and these N/A options make it so we don’t miss it at all.

Peanut Brittle

This homemade peanut brittle is made by Penn’s uncle. Warning, once you start eating it you won’t be able to stop.

Laneige Lip Kit Minis

These lip kits are one of those things I buy for other people that I wish I bought for myself. They are perfect for chapped lips season!

Mini Cake Candle

Have you seen anything more adorable than these candles that look like mini cake stands?

Stemless Wine Charms

We invested in stemless wine glasses and now all our old wine charms are useless. These will help sort who belongs with which glass at Christmas dinner.

Fun Pens

I feel like a kid on the first day of school when I get a set of new pens. Add in an adult coloring book and you’ve got a sweet gift.

Funny Mug

I don’t know how, but I’ve acquired a lot of people as friends who love spreadsheets. Going on a trip? We need a spreadsheet. Planning Christmas dinner? Make a spreadsheet. Now there’s a funny mug to go along with their weird skills.