The Gift-Giving Hack That Actually Works

Whew boy. We just survived Fri-Fri Thanksgiving travel. Beat the traffic game on both ends, but here's the math they don't tell you: 8-hour drives became 11 hours each way. Add another 8 hours tooling around Maryland seeing family. And my favorite stat: mobilizing all four of us for any event takes 2 hours "tip to tip" (clean, pack, load). The kicker? It only takes 1 additional hour to pack FOR THE 11 HOUR ROAD TRIP 😄.

Our hearts are full. The gas tanks are empty. Christmas prep is in full swing.

You've got a lot going on. So do I. So let me cut to the chase with the hack of all hacks for partner gift-giving.

Anniversary? Birthday? Special Occasion? Consider it done.

If your work keeps you busy, these milestones probably sneak up on your calendar. They do for me.

Get ahead by delegating. Just 5 minutes at Date Night Done and you’ll have a great experience planned and booked.

Prompt Prompting

I've been testing this between Date Night Done and some AI experiments. Ten minutes of your time combines your knowledge of your spouse with the marketplace's 2 billion products you'll never have time to understand. I don't have bandwidth to stay trendy—but Perplexity does.

This will do you and your spouse way better than generic Amazon recommendations.

Step 1: Answer these about your spouse

QUALITY SIGNALS
What brands or products does my spouse already love that show their taste level?
(Examples: specific skincare, clothing brands, where they shop, products they splurge on)

LIFE RIGHT NOW
What's their daily life like? What would make it easier or more enjoyable?
(Examples: new parent, training for something, commuting, working from home, new hobby)

STYLE & AESTHETIC
How would you describe their style in 2-3 specific references?
(Examples: "shops at X, follows Y on Instagram, loves Z brand's vibe")

HARD NO's
What categories or types of items should be avoided?
(Examples: no cutesy signs, no cheap jewelry, nothing overly gendered/cliché)

CONSUMABLE vs KEEPER
Do they prefer things they'll use up and enjoy, or things they'll keep and treasure?

Step 2: Copy this prompt to Perplexity.ai and fill in the [BRACKETS]

I need 15-25 specific product recommendations with links for gifts in the $[PRICE RANGE] range.

RECIPIENT PROFILE:

• Currently: [their life situation from Q2]

• Style/taste level: [brands and references from Q1 and Q3]

• Preferences: [consumable vs keeper from Q5]

REQUIREMENTS:

• Focus on quality and thoughtfulness over mass-market generic items

• Include specific brand names and product links

• Prioritize well-vetted products that people with good taste actually recommend

• Avoid: [your answers from Q4]

For each recommendation, include:

1. Exact product name and brand

2. Direct purchase link

3. One sentence on why it's beloved or well-regarded

Focus on items that feel curated and intentional, not what appears in generic gift guides.

Be Busy AND Thoughtful

This strikes the balance between quality and efficiency. You already have some great ideas. But if your house loves surprises and stocking stuffers like mine, this might bring you some peace during the December scramble.

🍻
Hat