A gift card or clothing

Short answer: A gift card never misses, but it does not say much either. Clothing says something, but it requires you to know size and taste. The choice therefore depends mostly on how well you know the person receiving the gift.

The real question

When you are choosing between a gift card and clothing, it is rarely about the gift itself. It is about how sure you are of the recipient. If you know her size, colours and habits, clothing is an obvious option. If you are unsure about even one of these, the risk rises that the gift ends up at the back of the wardrobe.

A gift card when you are unsure

If you know neither size nor taste, a gift card is the honest choice. It lets the recipient choose for herself, at her own pace and according to her own needs. Many people actually enjoy browsing and finding exactly what they are missing. A gift card is not a sign that you did not make an effort.

Clothing when you know the wardrobe

If you have seen what the recipient wears day to day, you can hit the mark. Notice colours, fit and which items get worn again and again. A few pieces of underwear in the colour and style she already uses make a gift that comes into use straight away. See bamboo underwear for women.

How to find the size discreetly

The easiest way to find the size is to look inside something the recipient already wears. The size is usually printed in the waistband or at the neck. You can also ask a mutual friend or someone in the household. If you are still unsure, choose something with a relaxed fit, where one size covers a little more.

Combine the two

A pair of socks and a gift card give both something to unwrap and a free choice afterwards. Socks are hard to get wrong on size, and they always get worn. The gift card lets the recipient choose the rest herself. The combination works for birthdays as well as holidays. See bamboo socks or bamboo T-shirts for women.

What makes clothing a good gift

Clothing makes a good gift when it feels nice and gets used. Basics in a soft fabric have an advantage here, because they fit into a wardrobe without asking for anything new around them. Choose neutral colours, a simple style and a fit that is not too tight. Then the risk of getting it wrong stays small.

Remember the exchange option

Whether you choose clothing or a combination, include a gift receipt. It makes it easy for the recipient to get another size or colour without having to explain herself. That removes much of the risk of clothing as a gift, and it shows you have thought about the gift fitting, not just looking nice in the paper.

A simple rule of thumb

If you can name the recipient's size and favourite colour without thinking, give clothing. If you can only name one, give something with a wide size range, such as socks. If you know neither, give a gift card. The rule is simple, but it saves many exchanges and makes it far more likely that the gift gets used.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, a gift card or clothing

Clothing if you know size and taste. A gift card if you do not. Both are better than a poor guess that ends up at the back of the wardrobe.

Is a gift card a lazy gift

No, not if the alternative is something that does not fit. A gift card at least gets used, and the recipient gets to choose what she is missing.

Can you give both

Yes, and it is often the best solution. Something small to unwrap, such as a pair of socks, plus a free choice afterwards with a gift card.