As the UK faces its most budget-conscious Christmas in years, experience-based gifting is topping Christmas wish lists for 2025, according to Lizzie Scholes, ITV’s This Morning’s gifting expert and professional gift finder at needi, a forward-thinking tech platform that specialises in sourcing unique, sustainable gifts from local independent businesses.
Fresh from making her second appearance on This Morning on Friday 5th December, Lizzie has revealed the gifts set to dominate Christmas shopping this year, alongside her best insider tips for meaningful, stress-free gifting.
Lizzie Scholes, Head of Feel Good at needi, said: “A day out with the family is a great gift as it’s something to look forward to, and if you book it ahead of time, it will actually happen for busy families who need a day out.
“One way to gift this on Christmas is to create a box with a note that says ‘We’re going to the zoo!’, complete with a stuffed animal and zoo-themed stickers. It’ll get the kids really excited and create a more memorable experience than a toy that might get forgotten about in a few months.”
The professional gift picker also recommended on This Morning gifting a holiday, with the search for experience-based gifts for couples rising by 130% on Google this year (via Google Trends). Whether that’s a UK staycation or a trip to Italy, where you can add a cooking class or sporting experience onto your holiday, something personalised that your partner or friend would love.
She also recommends monthly subscription boxes as a unique choice this year. Picking a baking, cooking or crafting box means you have something to look forward to every month, whether that’s for one person to enjoy or for fun for the whole family.
Lizzie’s other recommendations for a variety of budgets also include:
- A beautiful, leather journal – a great choice for mums to keep organised or write down memories in a stunning keepsake.
- Retro gaming devices – amazing for the gamer in your life who may want to return to their Gameboy days. These devices are fitted with thousands of games and can give a welcome break from their phone or gaming computer.
- Power banks – great because they are useful and practical, but can be personalised or completed with cool designs, perfect for the young person in your life who loves travelling and going to gigs.
- Personalised gifts are also great for all budget sizes and always show a lot of love – things like photo blocks, hand painted baubles and personalised trainers.
Lizzie also shares her top three tips for getting Christmas gifting right:
- Start with what they love
Begin with a simple checklist of what each person genuinely enjoys, then think about what might make their life easier or reflect something they have wanted for a long time. For example, for someone who loves running, a small recovery kit with bath soaks and cosy socks can be a thoughtful touch, or a high-quality pair of earphones can add extra motivation to their training. - Be realistic with your budget and timing
Factor in additional costs such as delivery and gift wrapping, and remember that signing up to mailing lists can often unlock extra discounts. As Christmas approaches, allowing enough time for delivery or collection becomes increasingly important. - Take the pressure off
Approach gifting with a calm mindset and enjoy the experience of choosing something thoughtful. Focusing on the moment the gift is opened, rather than the stress of buying it, is what makes gifting feel special.
To find out more about Lizzie’s professional gift picking services, visit: https://needi.co.uk/
