We all have someone in our lives who is impossible to shop for.
You’ll sit there and scour Amazon and other sites for hours, trying to come up with a gift they’ll actually use, only to see it sit in the box in a closet for a decade.
It’s a frustrating process, and if you’re not looking forward to going through it again this year, there’s a solution.
I recently discovered the magic of NotebookLM in my workflow. I appreciate that it only pulls from the sources I provide, cutting down on the nonsense.
However, I never thought it could help me with my holiday shopping, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.
I use NotebookLM to keep track of my reviews and previous work. Why couldn’t it do the same for gifts?
NotebookLM can generate potential ideas and consider a variety of factors. I decided to put it to the test — here’s what I discovered.
It’s not a set it and forget it process
Getting the right gift still takes work on your part
Credit: Google Play Store
Because NotebookLM is only as good as the sources you give it, building a gift profile takes a bit of work up front.
It’s not like ChatGPT, where you can ask for suggestions and see a list. However, that’s what makes NotebookLM far more helpful and targeted for giving gifts.
I started by creating a list about my father. I entered his age and what he likes to do in his spare time, and I also included a budget to narrow down suggestions.
Unfortunately, I learned a painful lesson. If you skimp on the information you put in, don’t expect detailed gift ideas of any value.
You’ll have to go beyond the generic and include personal details as best you can. The more information, the better.
Whether it’s gifts you’ve given them that they’ve enjoyed in the past or information about their favorite pastimes, you need to build a legitimate profile of the person.
I’m sure you’re thinking that if I’m putting all this effort in, why can’t I pick out a gift in about the same time?
The fantastic part of building out this profile and adding information is that you now have a notebook for that person.
It’ll save what you got them, what you spent, and give you follow-up ideas for their birthday, special occasion, or next holiday season. And, there are other benefits.
NotebookLM legitimately helped with ideas
It’s hard to break out of the same old thinking
After some tweaking, I finally got enough information into my source to generate legitimate suggestions.
My father loves to cook, so I focused on building out those ideas. I got a few of the usual suggestions I would come up with myself, like a new cutting board or salt-and-pepper shakers. However, a few gems slipped in.
I mentioned in the source document that my father cooks for holidays, and NotebookLM picked up on that.
It recommended a warming plate to keep courses that are done sooner warm while the rest of the dinner is being prepared. It’s an excellent idea that I never would’ve thought of without some prompting.
And that’s the point. That’s all I ever want from any AI tool.
I don’t want it thinking for me, and I don’t like picking out specific gifts where I’m just the middleman with a credit card.
NotebookLM can be a helpful assistant that directs you toward gifts you wouldn’t have considered without completely taking over the process, so the gift retains all the thought you put into it.
Add in a sprinkling of ChatGPT if you’re really stumped
Refine the ideas even further
For numerous gifts, you can’t always rely on Amazon. If the person you’re buying for has a specialized interest or hobby, you may need guidance on where to go.
I’ve also used ChatGPT in tandem with NotebookLM for my workflow before, so I figured the duo might serve me well again. ChatGPT focused on the gift ideas from NotebookLM.
Thankfully, I knew where to find cooking and kitchen supplies without help, but if you are buying a gift for someone who likes fishing or a topic you’re unfamiliar with, ChatGPT can point you in the right direction.
It can also give you specific brands to consider, along with prices and a synopsis of relevant reviews.
NotebookLM may have generated the idea you didn’t think of, but ChatGPT can help you get to the finish line if you’re really stumped.
Start building your gift profile
If you’re like me, you’ve run out of ideas to add to your gift lists after racking your brain year after year.
NotebookLM can help you come up with gifts you never would’ve thought of, especially during the busy holiday season.
Give your loved one something they’ll actually use this year and save yourself some anxiety in the process.
