What to Ask for Christmas as an Adult: Gift Ideas That Are Actually Useful

Asking for Christmas gifts as an adult feels awkward. When you’re a kid, you list every toy you want. When you’re an adult, you either don’t know what you want, or you feel guilty asking for things you could just buy yourself. The problem is that when you don’t tell people what you want, they guess, and they guess wrong. You end up with a scarf you don’t need, a candle you won’t burn, and a mug that goes in the back of the cabinet. The right approach is to make a list. You ask for things you actually want, things you need, and things you wouldn’t buy for yourself. This guide covers what to ask for Christmas as an adult, what to skip, and how to build a list that gets you what you want.

What to ask for Christmas as an adult covers the gifts that adults actually want during the holiday season, including practical items, experiences, upgrades, and luxuries. The best wish list is specific, varied, and includes items at different price points. The worst is vague, too expensive, or too generic.

The right Christmas list as an adult gets you gifts you’ll actually use. Here are ideas by category, what to skip, and how to build a good list.

What to Ask for Christmas as an Adult by Category

Practical Items You Need

Practical items are the gifts you need but haven’t gotten around to buying. They’re the items that make daily life better.

Good picks:

• A good quality bath towel set (if yours are worn)
• A quality pillow (if yours is flat)
• A good set of sheets (if yours are old)
• A quality kitchen knife (if yours is dull)
• A good coffee maker (if yours is old or basic)
• A quality water bottle (Stanley, Owala, or Hydro Flask)
• A good umbrella (if yours is flimsy)
• A quality phone case (if yours is cracked)
• A good pair of slippers (if yours are worn)
• A quality tool set (if you don’t have one)
• A good set of food storage containers (if yours are mismatched)

What to skip:

• Items you don’t actually need (a single-use gadget)
• Items that are too similar to what you already have
• Items that are too cheap (choose quality)

Upgrades and Replacements

Upgrades and replacements are the gifts that replace something old or upgrade something you already have. They’re the gifts you wouldn’t buy for yourself but would love to have.

Good picks:

• A new coffee maker (an upgrade from your basic one)
• A good espresso machine (if you love espresso)
• A quality blender (if you make smoothies)
• A good stand mixer (if you bake)
• A quality air fryer (if you’d use one)
• A new TV (an upgrade from your old one)
• A good soundbar (for your TV)
• A quality robot vacuum (if you’d use one)
• A good set of cookware (an upgrade from your old set)
• A quality knife set (an upgrade from your old knives)

What to skip:

• An upgrade you won’t use (a smart speaker if you don’t use technology)
• An upgrade that’s too complicated (a gadget you won’t figure out)
• An upgrade that’s too similar to what you already have

Experiences

Experiences are the gifts that create memories. They’re the gifts that don’t add clutter and that you’ll remember.

Good picks:

• A dinner at a nice restaurant (or a gift card)
• A weekend getaway or a night at a hotel
• Tickets to a show, a concert, or a play
• A cooking class or a wine tasting
• A spa day or a massage
• A round of golf or a tennis lesson
• A museum membership or a zoo pass
• A movie theater gift card (with a promise to go together)
• A subscription to a streaming service (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+)
• A subscription to a meal delivery service (HelloFresh, Blue Apron)

What to skip:

• An experience that’s too far away (you won’t go)
• An experience that requires a lot of planning (you won’t do it)
• An experience that’s too physical (if you have mobility issues)

Luxuries You Wouldn’t Buy for Yourself

Luxuries are the gifts you want but wouldn’t buy for yourself. They’re the items that feel like a treat.

Good picks:

• A luxury candle (in a scent you love)
• A high-end perfume or cologne (that you’ve been wanting)
• A quality piece of jewelry (that you’ve been eyeing)
• A good bottle of wine or spirits (a special bottle)
• A high-end skincare set (from a brand you’ve been wanting to try)
• A quality leather bag or wallet (that you’ve been eyeing)
• A good pair of shoes or boots (that you’ve been wanting)
• A quality watch (that you’ve been eyeing)
• A high-end kitchen gadget (that you’ve been wanting)

What to skip:

• A luxury you won’t use (a perfume in a scent you don’t like)
• A luxury that’s too expensive (it makes the gift-giver uncomfortable)
• A luxury that’s too similar to what you already have

Consumables

Consumables are the gifts that get used up and don’t add clutter. They’re the gifts that are practical and enjoyable.

Good picks:

• A box of premium coffee or tea (from a quality roaster)
• A bottle of wine or a spirit (your favorite, or a special bottle)
• A box of chocolates or a gourmet dessert
• A set of artisanal jams, honeys, or sauces
• A gift basket from a gourmet store (Harry & David, Williams Sonoma)
• A subscription box (a monthly coffee, tea, or wine subscription)
• A set of premium olive oils or balsamic vinegars
• A box of pastries or a gourmet baking kit

What to skip:

• Food or drink you don’t like (be specific about what you want)
• Food that will expire before you eat it
• Too much food (a giant basket you can’t finish)

Subscriptions

Subscriptions are the gifts that keep giving. They’re the gifts that arrive every month or that provide ongoing access.

Good picks:

• A streaming subscription (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, or HBO Max)
• A music subscription (Spotify, Apple Music)
• A meal delivery subscription (HelloFresh, Blue Apron)
• A coffee subscription (from a quality roaster)
• A book subscription (Book of the Month)
• An audiobook subscription (Audible)
• A magazine subscription (in your interest)
• A beauty subscription (Birchbox, Ipsy)
• A fitness app subscription (Peloton, Apple Fitness)

What to skip:

• A subscription you won’t use
• A subscription that’s too expensive (it makes the gift-giver uncomfortable)
• A subscription that auto-renews (unless you want it to)

Hobbies and Interests

Hobby and interest gifts are the gifts that show you pay attention to what the person loves. They’re the gifts that are personal and thoughtful.

Good picks:

• A good book (by your favorite author or in your favorite genre)
• A quality art supply (if you draw or paint)
• A good set of knitting or crochet supplies (if you craft)
• A quality gardening tool or a plant (if you garden)
• A good set of golf clubs or accessories (if you golf)
• A quality camping accessory (if you camp)
• A good set of cooking tools (if you cook)
• A quality photography accessory (if you photograph)

What to skip:

• A hobby item you won’t use
• A hobby item that’s too advanced or too basic
• A hobby item that’s too specific (a single brand or model)

How to Build a Good Christmas Wish List as an Adult

Be specific. Instead of “a coffee maker,” say “a Ninja 12-cup coffee maker.” Instead of “a book,” say “the new book by [author].” Specific lists get you what you want.

Include a range of price points. Include items at $10, $25, $50, $100, and $200. This lets people choose what they can afford.

Include links. If you have an Amazon wishlist, share the link. If not, include links to the specific items you want.

Include experiences. Not everything on your list needs to be a physical item. Include experiences (a dinner, a spa day, a show).

Include consumables. Include items that get used up (coffee, wine, chocolate). These are practical and don’t add clutter.

Don’t feel guilty. It’s okay to ask for what you want. People want to give you something you’ll love. A list helps them do that.

Update your list each year. Your needs and wants change. Update your list each year so it’s current.

What to Skip on Your Wish List

Items that are too expensive. A $500 item on your wish list can make gift-givers uncomfortable. Include items at a range of price points.

Items that are too vague. “Something for the kitchen” is too vague. Be specific: “a good chef’s knife.”

Items you don’t actually want. Don’t add items to your list just to fill it. Only add items you actually want.

Items that are too personal. A scale, a diet book, or anti-aging products are too personal for a wish list.

Items that are too generic. A scarf, a mug, or a calendar is too generic. Choose something specific and personal.

Too many items. A list of 50 items is overwhelming. A list of 10 to 15 items is enough.

FAQ

What should I ask for Christmas as an adult? Ask for practical items you need (towels, sheets, a coffee maker), upgrades and replacements (a new blender, a quality knife set), experiences (dinner, a spa day, a show), luxuries you wouldn’t buy for yourself (a luxury candle, a good bottle of wine), consumables (coffee, chocolate, wine), subscriptions (streaming, meal delivery, coffee), and hobby items (a good book, quality art supplies). Be specific and include a range of price points.

How do I build a good Christmas wish list as an adult? Be specific (“a Ninja 12-cup coffee maker,” not “a coffee maker”). Include a range of price points ($10 to $200). Include links (Amazon wishlist, or links to specific items). Include experiences and consumables, not just physical items. Don’t feel guilty about asking. Update your list each year.

What should I avoid on my Christmas wish list? Avoid items that are too expensive (it makes gift-givers uncomfortable), items that are too vague (“something for the kitchen”), items you don’t actually want, items that are too personal (a scale, a diet book), items that are too generic (a scarf, a mug), and too many items (10 to 15 is enough).

How many items should I put on my Christmas wish list? 10 to 15 items is enough. A list of 50 items is overwhelming. Include items at a range of price points ($10 to $200) so people can choose what they can afford.

Is it okay to ask for practical things for Christmas? Yes. Practical items (towels, sheets, a coffee maker, a good knife) are some of the best gifts for adults. They’re items you need but might not buy for yourself. Be specific about what you want (brand, model, size).

What are good Christmas gifts for adults who have everything? Good gifts for adults who have everything include experiences (a dinner, a spa day, a show), consumables (gourmet food, wine, coffee), a charitable donation in their name, and time and help (a visit, a homemade meal, a handwritten letter). These gifts don’t add clutter and they feel personal.

How do I share my Christmas wish list? Create an Amazon wishlist and share the link. Or create a shared document (Google Docs, Notes) with links to the specific items. Or tell people directly when they ask. The easier you make it for people, the more likely you are to get what you want.

References

• New York Times Wirecutter. “Gift Guide.” https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/
• Good Housekeeping. “Gift Guide.” https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/gift-ideas/
• Real Simple. “Gift Guide.” https://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/gifts/