Top 25 Gifts for Hobby
1Global G-2 Cooks Knife 20cm Blade
Recommended by The Irish Times for the cook in your life; billed by Anthony Ryan's as the best-selling Japanese knife ever made.
€175Anthony Ryans
3An hour on a K Golf World simulator bay at The K Club, recommended as a gift experience by IMAGE and RTE Lifestyle.
€50.00The K Club
15Garmin Approach R10 Launch Monitor Black
A portable launch monitor that tracks club and ball data and lets you play virtual rounds on thousands of courses.
€564.95Pro Golf Ireland
23We Chase Shadows - Dubray Books
Richard Osman's new mystery, discussed by The Irish Times and Dubray Books' number one fiction bestseller.
€16.99Dubray Books
2A Nation Once Again - Dubray Books
The Irish Times calls this funny and scabrous novel a propulsive caper; it is Dubray Books' number one bestseller.
€15.99Dubray Books
14Garmin Forerunner 965 | White | The Run Hub
A lightweight AMOLED multisport watch a UK tech reviewer called the best Forerunner in years for serious runners.
€599.99The Run Hub
246pc Japanese Damascus Steel Knife Set w/ Magnetic Knife Block
The Irish Times picked this Damascus steel set for a keen home cook; HexClad's bestseller with 730 reviews.
€599.00HexClad
Ask what they would upgrade next, not what would get them started
Someone properly into a hobby usually has the basics covered. What they want is the next piece up, the tool that solves a specific annoyance, or the material they keep running out of.
That is a far better gift than a generic starter kit aimed at someone new to it. If you are unsure, a quick question to a friend who shares the hobby, or a look at what they use most, will point you in the right direction.
Consumables are safer than gear
If you do not know the hobby well, buy something that gets used up. Good paints, quality yarn, a decent coffee, fresh film, better strings or a favourite brand of ink never miss, because the person has to restock anyway.
Gear is riskier. Brands, sizes and compatibility matter, and a wrong choice means it sits in a drawer. Stick with consumables unless you know exactly what they own.
Books, classes and the next skill
For someone who is serious about a hobby, a book from a respected name in it, a subscription to a good magazine or a place on a class can be a lovely gift. It treats the interest as something worth investing in rather than a pastime.
A single workshop or course also works for people who prefer experiences to objects. Pick one that matches their level, and check dates before you buy.
For the expensive end of a hobby, a group pot gets them there faster
Most hobbies have one piece of kit that is a real step up but sits well outside a normal gift budget: a proper instrument, a decent camera, real equipment rather than a toy version.
A HintDrop group pot lets everyone who knows how much they would use it contribute toward the one that is actually worth having, instead of a pile of small things that do not add up.
Let them tell you, quietly
The easiest way to get a hobby gift right is to let the person show you. When someone saves what they want to a shared list, the exact model, size and shop are all there, so there is no guessing.
You can call dibs on the item without them knowing, and everyone else on the list can see it is taken, so the same item does not turn up twice.
Frequently asked questions
What do you buy someone with a hobby you know nothing about?
Stick to things that get used up, such as materials, refills or a favourite brand of supplies. They are hard to get wrong and always useful. A book or a class in the hobby is another safe choice.
Should I buy a starter kit or proper gear?
Only buy a starter kit for someone who is just beginning. Anyone who has been at a hobby for a while already owns the basics, so a better version of something they use, or the thing they keep running out of, is a more thoughtful gift.
How do I find out what they already own?
Ask a friend or family member who shares the hobby, or look at what they use most. A shared HintDrop list is even better, because the person can save exactly what they want and you can see it.
How much should I spend on a hobby gift?
Match it to your relationship, not to the cost of the hobby. Many hobbies have expensive gear, so a consumable, a book or a contribution to a group gift often suits a normal budget better than one big item.
Can several people buy one bigger hobby gift together?
Yes. A HintDrop group pot lets friends and family put money toward one larger piece of kit and see who has contributed, so the person gets something properly good.
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