If thinking of gifts was easy, you likely wouldn’t be reading this right now. Finding great gifts that the recipient will like, use, that is within your budget and is occasion-appropriate is especially tricky. When in doubt, gifts based on the recipients’ hobbies are a fantastic option.
Hobbies are anything someone does for fun, relaxation, or pleasure. They are the activities that someone enjoys doing in their down time. A hobby is what someone chooses to do when they don’t have to be doing something else. Hobbies are perfect gift ideas because they often have equipment or materials needed to do them. So, if you know a person’s hobbies, you have a head start on ideas for great gifts!
The easiest way to know someone’s hobbies is to pay attention, and even ask. Most people enjoy talking about and discussing their interests. However, if don’t know exactly what hobbies the recipient enjoys and can’t ask, we’ve outlined the top 10 categories most hobbies fall within. From there, you can narrow down the hobbies you may think that person enjoys.
Top 10 Hobby Categories
1. Sports and Physical Activities
Physical activities such as hiking, golfing, cycling, swimming, bowling, recreational team sports, kayaking, paddle boarding, or playing tennis are common hobbies and are great for an active lifestyle.
2. Creative Pursuits
For the artist in your life, their hobbies might include painting, drawing, sculpting. This category can also include crafting, like knitting or crocheting, sewing, anything with a Cricut, or other arts and craft projects!
3. Collecting Items
There are all different kinds of collections someone may have based on their interests. Common collections include stamps, coins, comic books, cards (Pokémon, baseball, etc.), memorabilia, and antiques.
4. Performing Arts
Performing Arts as a hobby can include playing a musical instrument, singing, acting, doing theater or any other activity where they might have an audience. Further, includes those who are supporters and patrons of the arts!
5. Outdoor Activities
For those who’d rather be outside, there are lots of hobby options. The most common outdoor activity hobbies include gardening, birdwatching, fishing, hunting, camping, and outdoor physical activities like hiking and kayaking.
6. Intellectual Hobbies
Reading, writing, solving puzzles like crosswords or sudokus, and learning a new language are all examples of Intellectual Hobbies. This can also include non-traditional puzzles like Escape Rooms or other experiences that test your mind!
7. DIY Projects
We all know a DIYer, and there is essentially no limit to what their next project may be. Whether it is woodworking, furniture flipping, home improvement, electronics tinkering, or the next online trend or holiday decoration, any DIY project can be a hobby!
8. Gaming
Video games, classic board games, strategy games or tabletop role-playing games are all examples of gaming as a hobby. This is a great hobby that can evolve over time and grow with new games or new friends to play with.
9. Culinary Endeavors
We all need food to live, but food is also something to enjoy. There are many hobbies around food, including cooking, baking, and experimenting with different recipes. Being a “foodie,” or someone who simply enjoys eating and trying different foods can also be a hobby.
10. Social Hobbies
Volunteering, participating in community events, or joining clubs and groups related to shared interests can all be hobbies as well. Adding a social component to our hobbies allows us to share interests and experiences with others.
Gifts Based on Hobbies
Hobbies open the door for many gift opportunities aligned to the person’s interests. Any gift idea that you can think of to support, advance or contribute to their hobbies are sure to be appreciated. There are a few main categories to keep in mind for ideas when thinking of great gifts for hobbies.
Equipment & Materials
Most hobbies have some sort of equipment or materials. This can be equipment to get started or to continue or elevate your skill level. Materials can be the consumable items they need in order to do the hobby. There are also new gadgets, technology, updated items that they could use to help progress or expand their hobby.
Classes and Lessons
With any skill or hobby, you have to start somewhere, learn something. That is why most things have classes, lessons or coaching to help people learn more. There may even be opportunities to hear speakers, lectures or learn from professionals in a seminar. If someone is just getting started or looking to take their hobby to the next level, check out the classes, lessons or events available locally. Tickets to such a class or lesson could make great gifts to further their hobby.
Events or Experiences
Another gift option would be to pay for their entry fee to an event, tournament, race, or hobby-related event in their area of interest. Shared interests are meant to be exactly that – shared. Because of this, there are hobby-related events all over the place, all the time. You could even accompany them to or support them at the event, sharing their passion and making it a memorable experience for both of you.
New Hobby Starter Kit
If someone has been talking about expanding into a new hobby, a give the gift of a gentle push. A beginner’s kit for a new hobby would be just what they need to get started. As adults, life can sometimes get in the way of finding the time to pursue our interests. Too often, our ideas and interests stay ideas without action. If they have the tools or materials to get started, they can prioritize jumping into their new hobby!
Hobbies are a great place to start when it comes to looking for the right gift for someone. Our hobbies are the things we do when we want to do something for ourselves. They are what keep our heads straight, they are important. Pay attention to your friends’ and family members’ hobbies and interests, and take interest in them. If you know their interests and hobbies, you can find great gifts ideas for any occasion.