Science has taught us that giving to others can actually make us happier than spending that same amount of money on yourself, and redditgifts was founded on that same principle—gifting makes everyone happier and makes the world a better place. The feedback we receive from participants every day tell us this is true. But there's a small catch. Before that happiness, there can be a whole lot of stress. Finding the perfect gift for someone is HARD. Especially when it's your mother-in-law who "doesn't want anything this year, honey, just having you home for Christmas is enough" or a complete stranger on the internet that you got matched to for Secret Santa and with whom you have no interests in common (you're welcome). But it’s okay, because we’re here to save you! We at redditgifts have watched complete strangers put together, send, and receive hundreds of thousands of gifts in our online gift exchanges, and we’ve learned a thing or two (or twelve) about what makes a great gift. This is the ultimate guide to finding the perfect gift for everyone.

3. Ask yourself what that person needs, and put together a care package. I know what you’re saying. Stop it. They DO need something. In last year's Secret Santa, one person put together a care package to help his giftee, who was turning 18 in just a few days, become a man. For one participant who has aspirations of becoming a published author, her gifter sent her a writing-themed package with several gifts large and small to help her achieve her goals. The key is to think broader about what that person's needs, goals, and aspirations are. What does a super busy successful businessman need? Time, probably. There are tons of products out there to help people run their lives more efficiently. You could even ask other people you know what their pro tips are. Have a sister in nursing school? Put together a student nurse survival kit like one gifter did! Gift baskets are popular for a reason—there's something about a collection of themed gifts coming together in a cohesive way that is just really cool, and you can accomplish that same thing. Pick one thing, and rather than trying to find one perfect gift, put together several smaller gifts around that topic.

4. Do some stalking. If all else fails, stalk. If you've participated in Secret Santa exchanges before, you're familiar with this concept. But have you ever tried it on your friends and family members? Most people have a wishlist on Amazon, and they’ll be pretty surprised and delighted if you somehow found just the thing they wanted without even asking—and that they may have even forgotten they wanted themselves. Look through their Facebook history for clues. How many people have posted something and gone "OMG I NEED DIS!" before? Probably a lot. If they have a Pinterest account, that's a gold mine of all their tastes and anything they want. If you know their reddit username, you can see what types of things they’ve posted and commented on before, and they might even have a wishlist on the redditgifts marketplace!

6. Now, literally give an experience. She loves Les Mis but already has the book and the movie and the movie poster? Buy her tickets to see the show. One of my all-time favorite gifts I’ve seen was a step-by-step mystery guide that sent the giftee to a restaurant, bought him a Flying Spaghetti Monster dinner, and paid for him and his date to play at the arcade.

9. Include a little bit of yourself. Make it personal in a different way—personalized from you rather than for them. Create a piece of art, write a song, knit a scarf—you get the idea. Combine this with one (or more) of the above suggestions for an ultra-personalized gift. Last year, one match made the MOST AMAZING painting ever of their match's pets, while another participant took the time to record a field trip for her match who couldn't go outdoors.

11. Give the gift that keeps on giving. Give them a subscription to coffee, global tea taster delivery, or stock their "mantry"—you could even give them monthly deliveries of socks or ties and other accessories. Go back to that list you made in #1 and figure out which of those can be turned into a subscription. This will keep them thinking of you all year long and appreciating your gift even after the original Christmas gift-getting experience wears off.