Ask better, don't guess

How to read this selection

This is not a «top gifts» list, and not an export of anyone's wish list.

We gathered 102 things that people with hobbies and jobs keep buying for themselves and almost never get as presents — too specific to guess. Each comes with the detail you need to check. That detail is the difference between «a watch» and «a running watch», and between a polite «thanks» and «how did you know?».

Use it in one of two ways. If you are giving, find the person's hobby and ask them with a link. If you are writing your own list, write items the same way: with the model, the size and where to buy.

Coffee at home

• 58.5 mm tamperPortafilter baskets come in 51, 54 and 58 mm — ask the size.
• Hario V60 filters, size 02Drippers come in 01 and 02, and the papers don't swap.
• Scale with timer, 0.1 g stepsPrecision and a timer matter more than the brand.
• Milk pitcher, 350 mlMatch the size to the drink: 350 ml for one cup, 600 ml for two.
• Hand grinder with steel burrsAsk what they grind for: espresso or filter.
• Beans from a specific roasterThe roaster's name and the roast: for espresso or for filter.
• Gooseneck kettleWith or without a built-in thermometer.
• Knock boxThe small thing nobody buys for themselves.

Kitchen

• Microplane zester, fineFine for zest and parmesan, coarse for cheese.
• Santoku knife, 18 cmLength and steel; for single-bevel knives, left or right hand matters.
• Probe meat thermometerOne with a remote sensor if they cook in the oven.
• Cast-iron skillet, 26 cmDiameter, and the hob: induction needs a flat base.
• Whetstone 1000/6000Japanese knives want a stone; others are fine with a honing rod.
• Bread tin with a lidLoaf size and material.
• Sourdough jar with a level bandFor someone who bakes with a starter; a litre or more.
• French rolling pin45–50 cm fits a home worktop.
• A cookbook by a specific authorThe exact title: popular cooks have dozens.

Cycling

• Shimano cassette toolThe standard: Shimano and Campagnolo tools are different.
• Dry chain lubeDry for dry weather, wet for rain.
• Multitool with a chain breakerCheck whether they need Torx: newer bikes often do.
• USB-rechargeable rear lightMount: seatpost or backpack.
• Garmin Edge bike computerThe model, and whether they need navigation.
• Tyres 700×28The size is printed on the side of the old tyre.
• Fingerless cycling glovesHand size and season.
• U-lockLength: it has to go round the frame and a wheel.

Running, sport and dance

• Running watchThe ecosystem: Garmin, Coros or Polar — data doesn't move between them.
• Running shoes, a specific modelModel and size: «similar» won't do.
• Energy gelsFlavour, and with or without caffeine.
• Compression calf sleevesCalf circumference, not shoe size.
• Non-slip yoga matThickness: 4 mm at home, 1.5 mm for travel.
• Adjustable dumbbells up to 20 kgWeight steps, and whether there is room to store them.
• Pool membershipWhich pool, and when they swim.
• Grishko pointe shoes, size 4Size and width: pointe shoes are never bought without both.
• Gel toe pads for pointe shoesToe size: S, M or L.

Mountains and climbing

• Quickdraws, set of sixLength: 12 cm for the gym, 17–18 cm for rock.
• Chalk bagWaist bag or floor bucket for bouldering.
• Climbing shoesOnly with the model and size: half a size decides.
• Hold brushThe small thing that goes missing every month.
• Headlamp, 400 lmRechargeable or on batteries.
• Vacuum flask, 0.75 lIn the mountains, weight and a bright colour matter.
• Trekking polesTheir height, and folding or telescopic.
• Waterproof shell jacketSize and use: trails or the city.

Workshop and electronics

• Carving gouges, 8 and 12 mmProfile and width — for which kind of carving.
• F-clamps, set of fourReach: 150 or 300 mm.
• Narex chisel setWhich widths they need and what they already have.
• 5 m tape measure with a magnetic hookLength, and whether the blade should lock.
• Impact-rated driver bitsWhich driver, and which drive types.
• Head-mounted magnifier for solderingMagnification: 2.5× is enough for most boards.
• Soldering stationWattage, and whether they want hot air too.
• Molex crimping toolConnector type: Molex, JST and Dupont need different tools.
• Silicone soldering matThe size of their bench.

Garden and houseplants

• Sphagnum moss, 200 gDried for orchids, live for rooting.
• Plant labels, pack of 100Plastic or wooden.
• Pots with drainageDiameter, and for which plants.
• Grow lightHow much shelf it has to cover.
• Fiskars prunersBypass for live stems, anvil for dead wood.
• Nitrile-coated garden glovesHand size.
• One-litre spray bottleFor houseplants or for the vegetable patch.
• Seeds of a specific varietyVariety and supplier — and when they sow.

Music

• Tenor sax mouthpiece, 7*Tip opening and brand are personal; never buy one unnamed.
• Vandoren reeds, 2.5Every player has their own strength.
• Elixir strings 10–46Gauge, and acoustic or electric.
• CapoSix or twelve strings, and the fretboard shape.
• Picks, 0.73 mmThickness is a habit — ask.
• Clip-on tunerWhich instrument.
• MetronomeMechanical or electronic.
• Guitar standHow many instruments it needs to hold.
• Closed-back studio headphonesFor recording or for practice.

Sewing, knitting, drawing

• Olfa rotary cutter, 45 mmBlade size: 28, 45 or 60 mm.
• A2 cutting matSize to fit their table.
• Fabric clips, pack of 50Something they never have enough of.
• addi needles, 4 mmSize, and cable length for circulars.
• Yarn of a specific brandBrand, colour and dye lot: shades vary between lots.
• Acrylic paint setBrand and number of colours.
• Synthetic brush setFor watercolour or oil — they differ.
• A5 sketchbook, 200 gsmPaper weight for their medium.
• Magnifier lamp for embroideryDesk or clamp-on.

Makeup

• FoundationOnly with the product name and shade — never without.
• Eyeshadow paletteThe palette's name: one brand has dozens.
• Synthetic makeup brush setFor face or for eyes.
• Beautyblender spongeThe original: fakes tear within a month.
• Lipstick in a specific shadeThe name and number of the shade.
• Makeup primerSkin type: oily and dry need different ones.
• Lighted makeup mirrorWith or without magnification.
• Makeup organiserThe size of the shelf or dresser.
• Makeup removerCleansing oil or micellar water — habit matters more than brand.

Skin, hair and nails

• Silk pillowcasePillow size: standard, queen or king.
• Gua sha stoneThe stone is a matter of taste: jade or rose quartz.
• SPF 50 sunscreenFace or body, and skin type.
• Hair stylerModel and hair type; an expensive item, so ask for the exact name.
• Tangle Teezer brushFor wet or dry hair.
• 48 W nail lampA UV/LED lamp at this power is enough for gel polish at home.
• Gel polishThe shade number and which base coat they use.
• Home fragranceThe scent's name: smell is the most personal gift of all.

For work

• Littmann stethoscopeThe model: Classic for general practice, Cardiology for cardiologists.
• Hairdressing scissorsLength in inches, and which hand.
• Wacom drawing tabletActive area size, and with or without a screen.
• Mechanical keyboardLayout, size and switch type.
• Vertical mouseRight or left hand.
• Chef's knife rollHow many knives, and how long.
• Leak-proof travel mugSize, and whether it fits the car's cup holder.
• Laptop standLaptop size, and whether it should fold.

How to ask so that they answer

1. 1

   Ask from yourself, with limits. «I don't want to guess — add a couple of ideas by Friday, up to $40.» Without limits people either feel awkward or ask for the impossible.

2. 2

   Ask about the hobby, not the gift. «What are you missing for the bike?» gets an answer. «What do you want?» gets «nothing, really».

3. 3

   Ask for the model or size. One line — «Shimano cassette tool» — saves you an hour in the shop and a return.

4. 4

   Don't ask the day before. Two weeks gives them time to think and you time to order.

5. 5

   Mark what you are taking. If several people see the list, marking «I'll give this» prevents two identical presents. The owner never sees it.