Complete guide: Find gift ideas for every occasion (incl. AI tool)
Gift ideas AI tool
The quickest and easiest way to find inspiration: our AI search function for gifts of all kinds. If you're tired of trawling through lots of stores and still not finding a satisfactory gift, then our online tool is just the thing for you. You can enter the age, gender, interests and other information about the person you want to give a gift to and we will find suitable gift ideas for you.
Advisor
Gift ideas for men
Are you looking for a gift for a man - but something other than the ten thousandth pair of barbecue tongs or the obligatory six-pack? That's fine! Men are just as happy to receive personal, creative or useful gifts. Think about his hobbies: Does he like gaming? How about a cool gaming voucher or an original piece of merchandise from his favorite series? Is he the sporty type? Homemade fitness snacks, a personalized training plan or a voucher for an outdoor adventure together will go down really well. Men also love emotional gifts: a personalized photo book, a handwritten letter or a playlist with your songs together show real appreciation - and will be remembered. In short: if you meet his interests and put your heart into it, even a simple gift can have a really big impact.
Gift ideas for women
When it comes to gifts for women, the main thing is to make it personal! It's not about the price, but about the gesture. A handmade wellness set with bath bombs, tea and a mini letter written by yourself? It goes down better than any standard perfume box from the drugstore. Many women are also very happy to spend time together: a picnic, a spontaneous outing or a "time-for-us" voucher with your promise to put your cell phone away for a while. You can also pick up on their passions - whether it's a love of plants, creativity or being a bookworm. A lovingly decorated plant plant holder, a DIY bookmark or a notebook with a personal dedication show that you've listened. And if you're ever unsure: just ask honestly. Appreciation starts with attention.
Gift ideas for children
Children don't need expensive gifts, they want to experience, discover and play. The best thing is that you can give a lot of joy with simple means. How about a treasure hunt set? Hide a few little surprises, make a map and you've created a mini-adventure. Or give a "craft box" as a gift: a box full of colorful paper, stickers, wiggly eyes and a few instructions on how to be creative. A homemade fairy tale book in which the child is the main character is also a real highlight. If you do want to buy something: Think sustainable and meaningful: for example, wooden toys, children's books or sets that encourage experimentation such as mini gardening kits or small explorer sets. The important thing is that you're not just giving things, but ideas on how children can discover the world.
Gift ideas for special occasions
Birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day, graduation or birth. There are gifts for many occasions, but inspiration is often lacking. The trick? Don't think about the item first, but about the moment you want to create. For example: a personalized memory album with photos and little anecdotes is perfect for a birthday. At Christmas, many people love DIY gifts. Think of roasted almonds in a preserving jar, a handwritten "year in review" or a voucher for spending time together in winter. Symbolic gifts are nice for graduation or the end of studies, such as a compass as a sign of "You will find your way" or a notebook with motivational quotes. For romantic occasions, one thing counts above all: genuine attention. Write a love letter, plan a surprise day or make a box with little "Why I love you" notes. Conclusion: The perfect occasion is when you show how much someone means to you, no matter how big or small the gift is.
Sustainable, useful, funny... What should it be?
One thing is clear: we all want our gift to be well received and not immediately disappear into a drawer. It's not just about the money we invest, but also about the fact that we want to make someone else happy. But does the gift have to be something special? How original does the person receiving the gift want it to be? Or is your plan to wrap something funny in pretty wrapping paper and then make them laugh at the party?
What you think about depends on many things:
- What is the relationship like between you and the person receiving the gift? In a romantic relationship, you can give the gift of a joint activity. As a Christmas present for your uncle or aunt, this would probably seem a little strange.
- What is your budget? The choice of gift depends on your own purse strings on the one hand, but also on a natural spending limit on the other. After all, you always plan more money for some people than for others (for example, your own children).
- What is the personality of the person receiving the gift like? Everyone is different, everyone has different wishes and everyone is happy with different things. For example, some people will be happy if you donate money to a social organization for their birthday.
There are many other personal factors that influence which gift idea you come up with. It's best to sit down for a quiet minute and think carefully about the person you want to find a gift for. This can work wonders!
Find gift ideas: These are the best websites and stores
General gift platforms
- Amazon gifts
amazon.com/gifts (affiliate link: we receive a commission on purchases)
Offers a huge selection of gift ideas in all price ranges and categories (electronics, books, toys, DIY sets, etc.). With customer reviews and gift guides (e.g. "gift finder by interest"). - Etsy
etsy.com
Marketplace for handmade and individual products. Perfect for unique items, personalized jewelry, handmade decorations and creative accessories. Many sellers from Germany, EU and internationally. - Mydays
mydays.de
Main focus on experience gifts (e.g. balloon trips, wellness weekends, cooking courses). Well suited for special experiences and adventures. - Notonthehighstreet
notonthehighstreet.com
British marketplace for creative and individual gifts. Many retailers offer international shipping, some available in German. - Avocadostore
avocadostore.de
Marketplace for sustainable, ecological and fair products. From clothing and home accessories to handbags and toys - all based on ecological criteria.
Personalized gifts
- Personello
personello.com
Specializes in personalized photo gifts: photo books, printed mugs, cushions, puzzles and much more. Clearly sorted by occasion. - Photo box
fotokasten.de
High-quality photo gifts: calendars, canvas prints, photo books, cell phone covers and photo gifts for every occasion. Many discounts, good quality. - YourSurprise
yoursurprise.co.uk
Personalizable gifts of all kinds, e.g. jewelry, cushions, glass engravings, doormats, cell phone covers, key rings. Also offers text and photo printing. - Grätz Verlag (Wunderkarten)
wunderkarten.de
Individually designed greeting cards, invitation cards and gift ideas such as personalized posters and wall tattoos. Especially for loving, self-designed greetings.
Experience gifts and vouchers
- Jochen Schweizer
jochen-schweizer.com
Leading provider of adventure gifts in Germany: bungee jumping, helicopter tours, wine tasting, balloon trips, climbing courses. Also available as a voucher. - CoolStuff
coolstuff.com/gifts
Curiosities, technology gadgets, adventure items (e.g. indoor flea market kits). Suitable as an original experience or souvenir. - Regional experience provider platforms
"Experience gifts in [city name]" via Google search (e.g. "Rhine-Main Valley experiences"). These platforms often offer exclusive local experiences.
Subscriptions and gift boxes
- Degusta Box
degustabox.de
Food surprise box with regional and international snacks. Perfect for foodies and those who like to experiment. - HelloFresh
hellofresh.de/gift
Cooking box subscription that you can give as a gift. Choice of prices and delivery times, perfect for people who like to cook and try new things. - Glossybox
glossybox.de
Beauty box subscription with monthly beauty and care products in trial sizes. Perfect as a gift for beauty fans.
Gift ideas for technology and gadget fans
- Coolstuff
coolstuff.com
Curious and innovative gadgets: Mini drones, 3D printer pens, fun office and home items (e.g. USB gadgets, robot kits). Big focus on technology. - Nerd.de
nerd.de
Nerd and geek articles from the fields of gaming, sci-fi, fantasy, IT. Figures, clothing, collector's items. - MediaMarkt/Saturn gifts
mediamarkt.de or saturn.de
Electronics gift ideas (headphones, smart home devices, cameras, cell phones). Christmas and birthday specials. - Conrad Electronic
conrad.de
Technology, electronics kits, Raspberry Pi kits, drones, radio control cars. For tinkerers and technology enthusiasts.
Gift ideas for bookworms, music and movie fans
- Thalia
thalia.de
Wide selection of books, eBooks, audio books, board games. Also gift sets (e.g. book packages, pre-reading promotions). Thalia voucher available. - Hugendubel
hugendubel.de
Similar to Thalia, with literature, games and high-quality gift items. Also available regionally in local bookstores. - JPC
jpc.de
Specialized supplier of music albums (CDs, vinyl), films (DVDs, Blu-rays) and books. Ideal for collectors and music lovers. - Music Store
musicstore.de
Instruments, accessories, studio equipment. Gift ideas for musicians and producers. - Cinema vouchers
About local movie theaters
Cinema vouchers or annual tickets for movie fans. Very popular as a short-term gift.
Gift ideas in fashion, jewelry and accessories
- Zalando Lounge
zalando-lounge.de
Exclusive sales promotions for fashion, shoes and accessories. Gift ideas for fashion fans with discount options. - Swarovski
swarovski.com/en
High-quality jewelry, watches and decorative items with crystals. Luxurious gifts for special occasions. - Pandora
pandora.net/en
Charms, bracelets, rings and earrings. Individually combinable, perfect for personalized jewelry gifts. - About You
aboutyou.de
Large selection of clothing, shoes and accessories from well-known brands. Gift vouchers possible. - Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors (official stores)
for example tommy.com or calvinklein.de
Designer fashion, watches, bags and accessories. Gift ideas in the higher price segment.
Special gift ideas for children and babies
- HABA
haba.de
High-quality wooden toys, puzzles and educational toys for children of all ages. Pedagogically valuable and durable. - Jako-o
jako-o.com
Fashion and toys for babies and toddlers (electronic toys, educational toys). Specially designed for age-appropriate gift ideas. - diapers.com
diapers.co.uk
Gift sets for babies and parents-to-be (diaper bags, baby care sets, music boxes). Very popular for baby showers and birthdays. - Smyths Toys
smythstoys.com
Large selection of toys, Lego, board games, cuddly toys. Gift ideas for different age groups and occasions. - BabyOne
babyone.de
Accessories, fashion and toys for newborns and toddlers. Gift packages and vouchers for young families.
Do-it-yourself gift ideas
- Pinterest (as a source of inspiration)
pinterest.com
Collection of ideas for homemade gifts: scrapbooking, photo collages, home decor, craft instructions. Not a store in the strict sense, but an excellent source of inspiration. - idea. creative market
idee-shop.de
Large selection of craft and needlework supplies, do-it-yourself kits (e.g. candles, soaps, knitting sets). Perfect for creative crafters and craft fans. - Butlers
butlers.de
Decorative items, decorative sets and DIY craft items. Stylish home accessories that can be combined as homemade gifts. - Räder Design
raeder-onlineshop.de
High-quality decorative items, ceramics and stationery for DIY projects. Stylish materials to put together your own gift ideas.
Regional and small manufactories
- Etsy (filter German sellers)
etsy.com/en/search?q=Made+in+Germany
Use filters to search specifically for small, German sellers. For example, jewelry manufacturers, ceramic workshops, hand toy manufacturers. - Manomama
manomama.de
Design brands from Germany. Selection of highly individual products from various craft businesses (textiles, ceramics, leather goods).
Last-minute and budget gift ideas
- PayPal voucher
paypal.com/giftcards
Digital money gift voucher; can be used flexibly in many online stores. Ideal for last-minute surprises. - eBook vouchers (Thalia, Hugendubel, Weltbild)
thalia.de/ebook-voucher
hugendubel.de/ebook-voucher
weltbild.de/voucher
Digital vouchers that are sent immediately by e-mail. Perfect for bookworms, music or movie lovers. - Last-minute gourmet basket from delicatessens
Local retailers
Ready-made gift baskets with wine, gourmet snacks, chocolates. Can also be delivered at short notice. - Flower subscription/flowers by e-card
blume2000.de, fleurop.de
Flower delivery or flower subscription that can be given as a digital gift at short notice. Very good for loving last-minute greetings.
Free or cheap: when the budget is tight
Honestly? A gift doesn't have to cost a lot to make someone happy. Material things, for example, have not been proven to make people happier than experiences and relationships. So why not start there, go easy on the wallet and still put a big smile on someone's face? Here are ten ideas for free or at least inexpensive gifts:
- Personalized letter or handwritten card
Write down what you appreciate about the person, what you have experienced with them or what you wish them. Sounds simple, but it often moves people to tears. - Voucher booklet" with small favors
For example: "1x breakfast in bed", "1x listening without a cell phone", "1x walk together". Creative and personal! - Homemade photo album or collage
Print out a few photos together or make them digitally - with memories and little comments. Pure nostalgia! - Playlist with songs that connect you
Put together a Spotify playlist with songs that bring back memories or put you in a good mood - perhaps with a short explanation. - A jar full of compliments
Write 30 notes with things you like about the person or what they are good at. A note for every day - totally uplifting. - Home-cooked food or a DIY baking mix in a jar
A beautifully prepared meal or a sweet cake can win hearts - or you can put a baking mix in a jar with instructions. - Give the gift of time together
Plan a games evening, a movie marathon or a short hike. Time is often the most valuable gift. - A DIY wellness set
A few homemade bath salts (made from sea salt and essential oils), tea lights and a nice card - the mini spa day is complete. - A memory book
Ask a few friends or family for little anecdotes about the person and collect everything in a little book. Very touching! - Plant seedlings in a self-painted pot
A little piece of nature that grows with you - plus your personal touch with the pot or the name you give the plant 😄