Even though spending the holidays with your family is the best, it’s also the worst—especially when it comes time to buy gifts. If you have a large family, you probably have at least a couple of people in your family tree that you barely know. Yet, for some reason, you still have to get them a gift and hope that they like it.
It sounds like an impossible task, right? Wrong. This year, it’s going to be a cinch because you’ve stumbled across this guide for the best gift ideas for family members you barely know. We’re confident that at least one of these will be perfect for them. And if not, at least you won’t have to see them again till next year.
Scented Candles
Let’s start with a classic. Candles are the go-to gift option for people you don’t know. Everybody has a nose, although some might not work very well; either way, the fresh scent of a candle can really bring a home together. Unless their entire house is a fire hazard, they’re sure to love it.
A Beard Grooming Kit
If the only thing you know about your estranged uncle is that he has a beard, then this is an easy one. Get him a beard grooming kit. Even if he already has one, he’ll run out of product eventually, and yours will be his replacement. If he has one of those subscriptions, this might get a little rough, but it’s still salvageable. Just try to convince him that the one you bought is of better quality.
Bed Sheets or Blankets
You’re in luck! It’s winter, and no matter what interests a person has, they all get cold just the same. That’s why you should get them some new bed sheets or a blanket or two. Of course, with bed sheets, you’ll have to try to guess their bed’s size, but a queen is a safe bet. Just make sure you get a gift receipt.
Either way, you can never have too many sheets or blankets. Just make sure you don’t cheap-out on them. An excellent example of this is eucalyptus sheets. They’re well worth the price, so don’t be afraid to spend a little extra.
A Coffee Warmer
As long as you’ve met the gift recipient in any kind of social setting, you’ll likely know if they’re a coffee drinker or not—people who are tend to let you know. However, they can also be quite picky, so buying them coffee pods or a mug might not go over well. Instead, buy them a coffee warmer. This gift is just niche enough that they might not have one already, but even if they do, they could always use another.
Unique Kitchen Utensils
For the final entry in our list of the best gift ideas for family members you barely know, we’ll keep it a bit broader. As far as we know, everyone has a kitchen. That means they’ll need things to cook with, so try to get them something they don’t already have. A foldable cutting board, a whisk cleaner, or whatever off-the-wall kitchen item you run across, they’ll probably be able to use.
