The 40 Best Thoughtful Gifts To Make Someone Happy

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We can all use some cheering up from time to time. Here are 40 thoughtful gifts to make someone happy and brighten their day. Yay, for cheer-up gifts!

I just moved to a new city and the other day while I was rummaging through boxes, I kept finding the sweetest gifts people have given me over the years and couldn’t help but smile. 

It wasn’t necessarily the gifts that made me happy, but the thought loved ones put into these gifts and all the great memories they remind me of.

That’s what makes a gift special, and when looking for gifts to make someone happy, that’s what you want to go for. It’s not about giving expensive gifts but something meaningful to cheer someone up and let them know you care.

After writing this popular post, I wanted to add to the topic with more ideas to help cheer someone up after a bad day, specifically with simple but thoughtful gifts.

Reasons People May Be Sad 

With upheaval and tragedy going on worldwide, not to mention personal stressors and struggles of everyday life, it’s no wonder that people are increasingly feeling down and disconnected. Little cheer-up gifts will be a welcomed surprise for anyone.

Mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and Seasonal Affective Disorder are common reasons people struggle with sadness.

Some other common reasons people feel sad:

• Loneliness
• Low self-esteem
• Relationship struggles
• Losing a loved one
• Work-related problems
• Feeling lost or not having a purpose
• Financial insecurity

Emotional instability and struggles are part of being human. We’ve all felt the impact of these kinds of adversities, often multiple issues at once. There’s not one person that isn’t affected in some way by their own or loved ones’ struggles with mental health.

So please do keep in touch with loved ones and spread kindness to strangers as we never know what someone is truly going through.

Quick Food For Thought: Why Am I Always Sad?

Recently I came across a quote on social media about why people often feel sad, and it resonated with me. 

I wanted to share it with anyone struggling with making time or trying to make time for people who rarely make time for you. You deserve more than being someone’s “option”:

The real reason why you are sad?

You’re attached to people who have been on/off with you.
You’re paying attention to people who ignore you.
You make time for people who are “too busy” for you.
You’re too caring to people who are careless when it comes to you.
Let those people go.

If you can relate to this, take time and think about ways to stay connected to people who do invest in you and start distancing yourself from those who don’t.

Time is precious, so be intentional about making the best of it with those who genuinely care for you and bring you joy.

Cheer Up Gifts

Things can get heavy and draining, and it’s up to us to create our own joy and not let problems and challenges overtake our lives.  

I’ve always been a fan of gift-giving, whether baking something for someone or buying them a little something.

Of course, the best gift we can offer others is our presence, support, and listening ear.

But a small gift never hurts either, and we all deserve to be treated on occasion (even if that someone is YOU!). I must admit I have many of the products below. 🤷🏻‍♀️😊

40 Gifts To Make Someone Happy

1. Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm

These lightly tinted lip balms are perfect for those girly girls in your life. I’m always looking for new lip balms or chapstick, and these are fun to gift or treat yourself with.

2. The Happiness Project One-Sentence Journal

Gretchen Rubin created this 5-year one-sentence record journal. Totally doable and brilliant! It’s in my cart, and excited about this one.

Related article: 65 Mental Health Gifts to Elevate Your Well-Being

3. LEGO Flower Bouquet

These intricate flower sets are a relaxing, creative activity, and also make cute bedroom decor. LEGO is gearing many new products towards adults, which is exciting for people who loved it as kids.

4. Makeup Organizer

I was recently gifted a makeup organizer (almost exactly like this one) for my bathroom, and I love it. It keeps everything conveniently in one place, the countertop free of clutter, and it looks clean and pretty.

5. Katie Loxton Friendship Bracelet

This effortlessly simple and thoughtful friendship bracelet is a great gift to brighten a friend’s day and let them know how much you care. Personally, when I think of gifts to make someone happy, jewelry is always on my list.

6. Mini Jewelry Organizer

This is such a cute portable jewelry case. It’s handy for someone who loves travelling and needs to carry small items.

7. Mini Waffle Maker

We have a waffle maker and love treating ourselves to breakfast or as a dessert! I love that this is mini, so you don’t have to make so much batter.

8. 100 Prayer & Verse Cards

I love these beautiful Bible verse cards as a quick boost of encouragement in the morning. This box set is a great inspirational gift for a person of faith.

9. Mini Portable Espresso Machine

Are you a coffee fan? My husband has this portable espresso machine and loves it. It’s a practical gift that’s small and easy to carry for work, travel, or to make a quick espresso at home.

10. Disco Ball Home Light Show Speaker

How fun is this for a solo dance party? It definitely fits the category of cheer-up gifts. Dancing helps relieve stress and puts you in a good mood. This disco ball is also excellent for get-togethers at your home.

11. What Do You Meme (Family edition)

We have this game at home; it’s a blast! It’s one of the most fun gifts to make someone happy, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

Tip: Get the family addition, as the regular edition is super inappropriate for family time. We accidentally bought the regular edition expansion pack and had to throw them all out. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

12. Massage Ball Set

These are ideal for tension release for the foot, back, or shoulders and can be used after exercise.

13. Cinema Light Box (Letters, Numbers & Symbols)

This is perfect for teens or young adults as fun decor to add to their bedroom with a message they can customize to cheer themselves up. I love emojis, so this is one I had to share. 🎉❤️🤗

14. Champagne & Mimosa Flutes

These elegant flutes for champagne or mimosas look stylish, but they are inexpensive—an impeccable gift for the cocktail lovers in your life.

15. Apple AirTag 1 pack

This AirTag is excellent for anyone who’s a bit absent-minded. Through the Find My app, they can easily track their keys, cell phone, or anything else they tend to misplace. One of the most useful cheer-up gifts.

16. Fredrick’s & Mae’s Paper Games

This is a convenient set of 5 simple paper games to play at home or take on your travels.

17. Tea Tumbler & Travel Flask

This tumbler and infuser set is a practical and helpful gift to make someone who loves tea happy.

18. Pastel Highlighters ( No bleed & chisel tip)

Pretty pastel highlighters are super cute on their own, to journal with, or to use with adult coloring books.

19. Umbra Geometric Tray (jewelry, nail polish, perfume, make-up)

I have this chic Umbra tray in my bedroom, and it’s one of my favourite decorative pieces for my ladder bookshelf to hold everyday jewelry, so I have easy access to it.

20. Letters To My Future Self

This sweet letter set is a thoughtful, personal growth gift for someone who loves to write and reflect.

More Cheer-Up Gifts & Gifts To Make Someone Happy…🎁

21. Car Clip Air Fresheners

How adorable are these air fresheners? A little unexpected thought to brighten someone’s day and freshen up their car.

22. Dimmable Touch Lamp

This lamp for your side table is optimal for reading or giving your room a warm white light to relax during the evening or right before bedtime.

23. 100 Hugs: A Little Book of Comfort

A good book is one of the most meaningful things to give someone in need. This adorable giftable book comes with 100 metaphorical hugs to give to someone who needs comfort.

24. Scratch USA Cartography

If you’re looking for something unique for a traveler, this cool scratch-off map of the U.S.A will make a nice memory of all the places they’ve been to in America.

25. Initial Necklace

A classic initial necklace is a simple gift to treat someone special. Jewelry is a meaningful gift that someone can use forever and is a reminder of your kindness.

26. 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think

This book was recommended to me and is focused on pursuing purpose over passion and learning about cognitive biases that hold you back—a great gift for someone into personal development.

27. Light-Up Letter Decor

This cheerful light-up letter is cute decor for a retro vibe.

28. Sky Organics Bath Bomb Set

For the person who needs relaxation and more self-care time, this organic bath bomb set is a classic gift to cheer someone up.

Related article: 40+ Essential Self-Care Gift Basket Ideas

29. The Little Book of Hygge: Secrets To Happy Living

Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is a way of living for Danish people and has become a popular lifestyle worldwide. This book will help you embrace Hygge and become happier through this Danish philosophy of comfort and well-being.

30. Fancy Silver Bookmark

For the readers in your life, a stainless steel bookmark will last a lifetime and always be a reminder of your thoughtfulness.

31. The Book Lover’s Journal

This journal is specifically for taking notes on the books you’ve read and loved, making it an ideal gift for an avid reader.

32. Glass Teapot with Removable Infuser

Any tea lover will appreciate this teapot and infuser’s simple and elegant aesthetic.

33. Daily Motivational Flip-Calendar

This calendar is undated, so it never expires and can be used year after year as an inspirational way to start each day.

34. Funny Stress-Relief Candle

A laugh is good medicine for our soul, and I love a practical gift that adds a bit of fun.

35. Rose Gold Compact

We all need a compact in our purse, and how dang’ pretty is this shiny rose gold one? It comes nicely packaged, so it’s a ready-to-go gift for any woman.

36. Gratitude Journal Notebook

Practicing gratitude is an easy way to increase your level of happiness because it helps put things into perspective. This daily journal comes with helpful prompts to get your ideas flowing.

37. Jade Facial Beauty Roller

A facial roller is a self-care staple, and when it comes to feeling happier, taking time to pamper yourself and have an easy daily self-care routine is essential. Here are more must-have self-care gift ideas to treat yourself.

38. Cocktails Made Simple Recipe Cards

For the person who enjoys making fancy but surprisingly simple cocktails, these recipe cards are a great gift option to make someone happy.

39. Inspirational Ring or Trinket Dish

This comes in over ten sentimental friendship quotes to choose for your BFF. It’s a charming little gift to cheer someone up.

40. Fill-in-the-Blank Gift Journal

This is an excellent option to gift a friend who is going through a hard time because it helps them focus on the positives in their lives.

The Real Reason Gifts To Make Someone Happy Work

They say giving gifts is better than receiving them, and I’ve always found that to be true.

But the real reason gifts can help make someone happy is you the gift giver!

You took time to think about them, pick something meaningful, and give it or send it to them. All of those intentional steps are powerful ways to show someone you care and make them feel special.

Happy Shopping!