What to get someone whose taste you don't share
Their style isn’t yours. How to choose something they’ll love, rather than something you’d pick for yourself.
Choose from within their taste, not yours. The easiest way is to look at what they already own, wear, or use, and find something that belongs alongside it.
It’s natural to lean toward what you’d like, or to reach for the most obvious version of what they like. Paying attention to the details of their taste works better than either.
Look at what they already have
Their shelves, their closet, and the things they use every day are the best guide. If they collect something, note what they already own so you don’t duplicate it.
If they keep a wishlist, start there. It takes the guessing out entirely.
Ways to choose well
- Shop where their fellow fans shop
- Most interests have favorite shops and makers. A little browsing, or a question to someone who shares the interest, shows you where to look.
- Aim for specific, not general
- The particular thing a fan would want, rather than something with their favorite theme printed on it.
- Take care with supplies and accessories
- These can be a great choice, but details matter — the exact model, size, material, or brand they prefer. Checking what they already use is the surest way to get it right.
Ask someone who shares their taste
A mutual friend, a knowledgeable shop assistant, or an online community can point you in the right direction. Describe what they already have and ask what they’d want next.
It’s what you’d do when buying in any field you don’t know well, and it usually leads to a better gift than guessing.
Sharing your own favorites
It’s tempting to give someone the book or album you love most, hoping they’ll love it too. Sometimes that makes a wonderful gift.
A useful test: would you mind if they didn’t get into it? If so, it may be better shared another time, as a recommendation rather than a present.