I Cracked the Formula for a Perfect Holiday Gift

You know who’s on your holiday gift list this season—it’s the friends you have on group text, your mom who you call every morning, and the special someone in your life. But if you’re still trying to figure out what to get them, I’m here to clue you in on some new ways to shop and some shopping missteps to avoid.

The mistake most people make is buying gifts that they personally love, instead of considering what the recipient would actually want. There are also some other mistakes you can avoid, as well as some tricks to follow to end up with a gift anyone is sure to love. Ahead, I’m breaking down the rules I follow to give a perfect gift every time. Scroll on to find out the 4 tricks I follow during for gift-giving over the holidays and shop pieces from my list.

1. CONSIDER EXPERIENCES OVER OBJECTS

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

In my opinion, experience-related gifts are some of the best present ideas. Here’s where you can get really creative with anything from hard-to-get restaurant reservations to a trip somewhere special.

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(Image credit: @monteverdiitaly)

Book a trip to a special destination. My recommendation? Travel to Monteverdi, a hotel nestled in a hillside in Tuscany. One of the most unique and magical places I've ever visited, the property was converted from a Medieval village into a beautiful resort property. See a photo from my visit above.

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

Snag reservations at the recently-opened Girafe in Paris for one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower.

2. GO OFF OF WHAT YOU KNOW

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(Image credit: @brittanyxavier)

When in doubt, stick to what you know about the person you’re buying a gift for. Is their most loved designer Chanel? You can’t go wrong adding a new piece to their closet. Do they have a favorite restaurant? Get them the cookbook.

3. GET THEM SOMETHING THEY WOULDN'T BUY FOR THEMSELVES

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(Image credit: @nycbambi)

Whether it’s a non-essential fashion item or an indulgent beauty product, treat them to something they would love but might not purchase themselves.

4. GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT

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(Image credit: @jeannedamas)

If you listen closely, you’ll pick up on gift-giving hints that people drop along the way. Whether they chat about shoes they spotted on a shopping trip or mention that they’ve been looking for the perfect travel tote, pay attention to these clues.

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Dior Book Tote Toile de Jouy Bag (price upon request)

The perfect travel tote for anyone to use as a carry-on.

Next: nine ways to boost your Instagram selfie likes.

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. BeforeBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.