I Asked ChatGPT To Pick the Perfect Holiday Gift List for $50 — Here’s What It Came Up With
Written by
Laura Bogart
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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The holidays are coming, whether I’m prepared for them or not. This was the thought that came to me as I visited the grocery store the day after Halloween. Near the heavily discounted candy, Christmas wreaths and wrapping paper were already up — and the aisles abounded in holly jolly cheer. It was time to start my holiday shopping; however, I had no idea where to start.
Like many people, I’m busy. I’m also leery of browsing randomly online because I’m too tempted to pick up a few goods for myself. So, I turned to AI to help me tailor a list for some of the main people in my life. Turning to my pal ChatGPT, I gave it a few details about my mother, brother and two good friends and asked for some suggestions that were $50 and under for each person.
How were the results? Let’s just say that I wouldn’t mind making ChatGPT my personal shopper.
Gift for Mom: Blind Date With a Book — $7.04
When it comes to my mother, a romance reader who enjoys cozy surroundings, ChatGPT found several options I’m not sure I’d have found on my own, including a “Coffee and Smut” candle I think might make her blush if she unwrapped it. Thanks, ChatGPT, but I’d rather not make Christmas morning so awkward.
But ChatGPT also found a truly one-of-a-kind gift at a very fine price via Etsy. The Blind Date With a Book and Free Tea offers her a Christmas morning surprise in an elegant package. Tucked inside a gorgeous thrifted box, she’ll find a surprise book — perhaps romance, or maybe a new genre she’ll come to love equally — as well as some delicious tea. Reviews indicate that readers like the popular book selections, so I can rest assured she won’t get anything too strange.
Gift for Brother: Portfolio — $25.93
While ChatGPT’s initial selections for my mother were great, they were a little generic for my brother. It offered some generalized financial planners, including one geared toward 20- and 30-somethings that would be too basic for him and didn’t match his stage in life.
Just as I was getting bummed out, I looked at the bottom of its list, where it provided a link to an article about gifts for people in his field. Reviewing this list from Apex Gifts and Prints, I was intrigued by the suggestion to get a personalized leather portfolio. Doing a Google search for “leather portfolio under $50,” I found an elegant option with zippers that seemed durable and tasteful.
Though I didn’t find the exact item for him via ChatGPT, it did help me brainstorm some ideas. Like the meme says, “A win is a win.”
Gift for Friend No. 1: Tea Storage Box — $29.99
Where ChatGPT may have fallen a little short in its recommendations for my brother, it was dead-on in its suggestion for a friend who loves tea. A mint-colored, hand-painted tea storage box from World Market is not only practical — all that tea needs to be kept dry and secure — it’s also elegant, serving as storage and decor all in one.
This box is handcrafted from mango wood and painted with exquisite floral motifs that bring comfort and cheer on cold days. Way to go, ChatGPT — you nailed this one.
Gift for Friend No. 2: Foam Roller — $39.95
The other good friend on my shopping list is an avid gym-goer, so she already has access to most of the equipment she needs. I also used her birthday to get her a coveted Stanley water bottle, so I was relieved that ChatGPT directed me to another item that’s commonly recommended for gym fans — ye olde trigger point foam roller.
ChatGPT included a link to a site called Run for Good, which praised the TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller and featured a link to the item on Amazon.
And just like that, my holiday shopping was mostly done.
The Bottom Line
Offering a few basic details about everyone on my shopping list allowed ChatGPT to develop some suggestions that were mostly very helpful. Even when I used its suggestions to do some scouting on my own, I appreciated the guidance.
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