Knowing what to gift your partner has never really been easy and I bet we all had some hits and misses over the years of our long-term relationships. I mean, after all, it should be meaningful. Special – and unique! Right? Well, that’s really easier said than done. Especially when living together for quite a while, occasions like birthdays or Christmas usually get less and less important – but that doesn’t mean that the spirit of giving should be given up on. Because surprising your partner with something they love is one of the best feelings!

So, if you’re wondering what to do this year again, crawling through websites that all promote the same box standard gifts for him & her and not finding the spark that you’re hoping for… why not divide it all into smaller gifts for a smile every day of December, in form of an advent calendar?

Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration

Give Yourself a Budget

Now, I’ve done this before and here’s my most precious tip for everyone who wants to create an advent calendar for someone else: have a budget – and stick to it. How high of a budget is of course entirely up to you – keep in mind, this can substitute your actual gift! I created great calendars with around £50 available in the past, but I also did some more expensive ones with £250 – or cheaper ones even with only around £10.

You can do an activity calendar as well – which will cost you nothing! But the bottom line is, the budget will of course determine what you can fill your little bags or boxes with. I really emphasise the importance of this point. The first ever self-made calendar I made was all haywire and I ended up spending way more than I anticipated. 

Ideas to Fill Your Calendar With

Now, this really is the fun part, and I can only give general suggestions. After all, you know your partner best – and the little things they love or need. What I found best is to really start early with this and to take notes on little remarks they make or generally keep track of their favourite things to do or snack – or what they’re currently in need of. For example, I know my partner is an incredibly avid tea drinker and there are some amazing special Christmas teas out there right now.

Maybe yours is out of socks? Or does their favourite sweet currently have some special edition? Bathing accessories are great for the cold season – or you could even organise a personalised scavenger hunt. Are they crafty? Get them more of their most used supplies! Hot sauce mini-bottles, craft beers, little love tokens and sentimental messages, DIY coupons, and even pet treats (because giving out treats is the most fun) can make the cut.

The only thing we recommend is that they should make sense for them. If your partner isn’t into kitsch at all, a set of decorative snowflakes will be wasted. But again – you know your partner best, so plan accordingly to that!

Plan out What to Buy Before You Buy

Now, when faced with the task of preparing 24 gifts, getting overwhelmed can happen pretty quickly. I’ve been there – and a good old-fashioned spreadsheet is the best solution for this. It’ll keep your selection nicely balanced and your costs in check. But if you find it’s a bit too much, consider doing only 12 – or maybe even pitch the idea of a shared one to your partner, where they fill half the calendar for you, and you fill the other half for them.

That’s the way me and my partner are doing things for a couple of years now – and it’s brilliant! Either way, keep in mind that the whole point of the calendar is giving several small things that you know your loved one loves, instead of one big one on Christmas Day. That means you can pick up all the little things, you know make them happy – and don’t be shy to divide them into several bags, too, if they come in a bigger set!

Buying a set of three pairs of funky socks and wrapping them all separately means you have three days covered – and I promise you, your partner will enjoy them on every single one of them.