Our Picks for Hobby
1Audio Technica LP60XBT Bluetooth Turntable Black ATLP60XBTBK
Called a great starter turntable by TechRadar and rated 4.6 from 85 reviews at The Good Guys.
AU$289The Good Guys
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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