| Quick answer: The best registry for someone who ‘has everything’ is a universal one that supports experiences, upgrades, and cash funds, not just physical products. Instead of more stuff, they can ask for a class, a trip, an upgrade to something they already own, or a contribution toward a big goal. A universal registry like MyRegistry lets them combine experience funds and any-store upgrades on one link, turning the impossible giftee into an easy one. |
We all have that person: the one who, when asked what they want, says ‘oh, nothing, I have everything.’ And they’re not wrong — they don’t need another gadget or mug. But ‘having everything’ doesn’t mean there’s nothing to give. It means the right gifts aren’t things at all. Here’s how the right kind of registry makes even the impossible giftee easy to shop for.
Why ‘They Have Everything’ Is a Registry Problem
The phrase really means ‘they don’t need more objects.’ The gifts that still delight them are experiences, upgrades, and contributions toward something meaningful, none of which a traditional product-only registry handles well. The trick isn’t finding a rare object; it’s using a registry that can hold non-object gifts.
‘They have everything’ really means ‘the best gift isn’t a thing.’
The Three Gifts for Someone Who Has Everything
- Experiences. A class, a tasting, a concert, a trip, memories rather than more possessions. These delight even the most well-stocked giftee.
- Upgrades. The premium version of something they use daily and own in a worn-out or basic form, better cookware, nicer linens, a superior tool.
- Contributions to a goal. A cash or experience fund toward a bucket-list trip, a hobby setup, or a big purchase they’re working toward.
| Give experiences and upgrades, not clutter, build the list on MyRegistry . |
Why a Universal Registry Is the Answer
Only a universal registry comfortably holds all three. It supports experience and cash funds alongside physical upgrades, and it lets those upgrades come from any store, because the ‘better version’ of something is often sold somewhere specific. A product-only, single-store registry simply can’t express what this giftee actually wants.
| Gift type | Universal (MyRegistry) | Single-store list |
|---|---|---|
| Experiences | Yes (experience fund) | No |
| Upgrades from any store | Yes | Limited |
| Contributions to a goal | Yes (cash fund) | Rarely |
| Group gifting on big items | Yes | Sometimes |
| Cost | Free | Free |
A Real-World Scenario
Grandpa says he wants nothing for his 70th, he truly has everything. But his family knows he’s always wanted to see the Grand Canyon and grumbles about his dull old chef’s knife. On a universal registry, they set up a travel fund toward the trip, add a premium knife from a specialty maker, and include a cooking class he’s mentioned. Suddenly the ‘impossible’ giftee has a list full of things he genuinely wants, none of which is more clutter. The family gives joyfully instead of guessing.
| ✔ Pros — Registry for the ‘Has Everything’ Giftee | ✘ Cons — Registry for the ‘Has Everything’ Giftee |
|---|---|
| • Experiences over more possessions | • Requires a universal, fund-friendly registry |
| • Upgrades from any store | • Giftee may need nudging to add wishes |
| • Funds toward bucket-list goals | |
| • Group gifting for big experiences | |
| • No clutter, all meaning |
| ★ Expert recommendation: For the person who has everything, steer entirely away from objects and toward experiences, upgrades, and funds, and use a universal registry that can hold all three. MyRegistry combines experience funds and any-store upgrades on one link, free. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you get someone who has everything?
Experiences (a class, a trip), upgrades to things they already use, or a contribution toward a goal, gifts that aren’t just more possessions.
Can a registry hold experiences and trips?
A universal registry can, through experience and cash funds. Most single-store registries can’t.
How do I get them to make a list?
Frame it as ‘help us help you’, and suggest they add experiences and upgrades rather than objects, which often unlocks ideas.
What if they insist on nothing?
Suggest a cash or charity fund toward a cause or goal they care about, a meaningful option for the giftee who truly wants no things.
The Bottom Line
Reframing the Question for the Giftee
Part of the challenge with the ‘has everything’ person is that when you ask what they want, they think in objects — and rightly conclude they need none. The unlock is to change the question. Instead of ‘what do you want?’ ask ‘what would you love to do, learn, or go see?’ or ‘what do you own that’s worn out and worth upgrading?’ Those prompts bypass the ‘I have enough stuff’ reflex and surface real desires: the trip they keep postponing, the class they’re curious about, the everyday item they’ve been meaning to replace with a better one. A registry that supports experiences and upgrades gives those answers somewhere to live.
Encourage the giftee to think in terms of experiences and upgrades when building their list, and the ‘impossible’ person usually turns out to have plenty they’d genuinely enjoy, just not more clutter.
Why This Giftee Loves Group Gifting
The person who has everything is often exactly the person for whom group gifting matters most. Their best gift is frequently a single, larger experience — a special trip, a high-end class, a bucket-list adventure, that’s too big for one giver but perfect for several to fund together. Rather than each person straining to find yet another object, the whole group pools toward one memorable experience the giftee will treasure. It’s the most elegant solution to the hardest giftee on anyone’s list.
More Frequently Asked Questions
What’s better than a gift card for this person?
A specific experience or a named contribution toward a goal, both feel personal and intentional in a way a generic gift card doesn’t, while still avoiding clutter.
How do I suggest experiences without knowing their schedule?
Contribute to an experience fund rather than booking a fixed date, they redeem it when it suits them, so timing is never a problem.
Someone who ‘has everything’ just needs a registry that handles experiences, upgrades, and funds instead of more stuff. Build one free at MyRegistry.
