# Gift Panic Skills

> Gift Panic Solve

- Skill: `mcltyl/gift-panic-skills` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add mcltyl/gift-panic-skills`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/mcltyl/gift-panic-skills/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: mcltyl (https://skillmd.com/u/mcltyl)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/mcltyl/gift-panic-skills

---

# Gift Panic Solve

> "Shit, their birthday is in 2 days." → Specific purchasable items in 5 minutes.

---

## When to Use

- Someone's birthday/anniversary/holiday is in ≤7 days
- You have no idea what to get
- You're about to panic-buy a gift card (again)
- You want something thoughtful but don't have time to be thoughtful

**Trigger:** "I need a gift for [person]" or "[person]'s birthday is [soon]"

---

## The Problem With "Gift Ideas"

Generic advice is useless:
- "Get them something they'll love" → No shit
- "A nice book" → Which one?
- "An experience" → Like what?

**You don't need ideas. You need specific, purchasable items with links.**

---

## The Protocol (5 minutes)

### Step 1: Quick Intel Gather (90 seconds)

Ask these in rapid succession:

1. **Who is this for?** (relationship: friend/family/colleague/partner/acquaintance)
2. **What's your budget?** (give ranges: <$30 / $30-75 / $75-150 / $150+)
3. **What do you know about them?** (anything: hobbies, complaints, recent life events, what they talk about)
4. **What have you given them before?** (to avoid repeats)
5. **Any constraints?** (shipping time, allergies, things they hate)

---

### Step 2: Extract the Signal (60 seconds)

From what they told you, identify:

**Gift Vectors:**
- **Hobby/Interest** — Something they actively do
- **Problem/Complaint** — Something that annoys them you could solve
- **Aspiration** — Something they want to become/do
- **Comfort** — Something that makes life slightly nicer
- **Inside Reference** — Something only you two would get

**Example mapping:**
| Intel | Vector | Gift Direction |
|-------|--------|----------------|
| "She's really into running" | Hobby | Running gear, race entry, massage gun |
| "He always complains about bad coffee" | Problem | Good beans, grinder, pour-over setup |
| "Trying to learn guitar" | Aspiration | Lessons, picks, strap, songbook |
| "Works from home, always cold" | Comfort | Nice blanket, heated mug, slippers |
| "We joke about [X]" | Inside Reference | Custom item referencing the joke |

---

### Step 3: Generate 3 Specific Options (90 seconds)

For each option, provide:

```
**Option 1: [Name]**
- What: [Specific product with brand if relevant]
- Price: $XX
- Why it works: [Connection to what you learned]
- Where to buy: [Actual link or store]
- Shipping: [Will it arrive in time?]
```

**Rules:**
- No generic categories ("a nice candle") — specific products ("Diptyque Baies 190g")
- Include price
- Include where to buy
- Confirm shipping timeline

**Tier the options:**
1. **Safe bet** — Can't go wrong, universally liked
2. **Thoughtful** — Shows you paid attention
3. **Wildcard** — Memorable, slightly risky

---

### Step 4: Decision Push (30 seconds)

> "Based on what you told me, I'd go with **Option 2** because [reason]. But if you want to play it safe, **Option 1** is solid."

If they're still hesitating:
> "The difference between these is smaller than the awkwardness of not having a gift. Pick one. They'll appreciate that you thought of them."

---

## Gift Category Quick Reference

### Universal Safe Bets (when you know nothing)
- **Food/Drink** — Nice chocolate, fancy olive oil, good coffee/tea
- **Experience** — Restaurant gift card (specific restaurant, not generic)
- **Comfort** — Quality candle, soft blanket, nice hand cream

### By Relationship
| Relationship | Good Vectors | Avoid |
|--------------|--------------|-------|
| Close friend | Inside jokes, shared memories, hobbies | Generic |
| Acquaintance | Safe consumables, experiences | Too personal |
| Colleague | Professional useful, food | Anything intimate |
| Partner | Specific wants they mentioned, experiences together | Last-minute generic |
| Parent | Comfort, time together, solving a complaint | Tech they won't use |

### By Budget
| Budget | Strategy |
|--------|----------|
| <$30 | One perfect small thing > cheap big thing |
| $30-75 | Sweet spot for most gifts |
| $75-150 | Can do experience or premium item |
| $150+ | Experience or investment piece |

---

## Emergency Mode (< 24 hours)

If no time for shipping:

1. **E-gift cards** — But SPECIFIC (not Amazon, that's lazy). A restaurant they love, a store they shop at.
2. **Printable "IOU"** — "I'm taking you to [specific thing]" with a date already picked
3. **Donation in their name** — If they're the type who'd appreciate it (know your audience)
4. **Local pickup** — Check what's available at stores near you

---

## Output

By the end, user should have:
1. 3 specific gift options with prices and links
2. A recommendation on which to pick
3. Confirmation it will arrive in time
4. Confidence to stop overthinking and buy

---

*This skill is tactical. For deeper "why am I so bad at gifts" introspection, that's a different conversation.*