Sure, people like getting gifts. But there are people out there — and probably one or two on your list — who would rather not receive a gift at all than receive something that will end up in the dark recesses of a cabinet or closet collecting dust. For those folks, we present this gift guide of practical products and empirical items that can be put to good use.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
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Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer
$20 from AmazonShop Now
Anyone who drinks coffee, cocoa, tea, or any other beverage that tastes better warm will be happy to plug this in next to a work station if it means fewer trips to the kitchen.
Related: Perk ‘Em Up with These Great Gifts for Coffee Lovers
Mark & Graham Leather Charger Roll Up
$49 from Mark & Graham
There probably isn’t a person alive who couldn’t use some help with those cords, cables, and chargers that dominate our modern life. They can keep them all neatly organized with one of these leather cases. Available in 8 colors with optional monogramming.
Blue-Light-Blocking Glasses
$25 from AmazonShop Now
Nearly everyone is spending more time in front of their computer screens these days. Help reduce their eye strain with a pair of these popular and highly rated Amazon blue-light-blocking glasses. They come in a few colors and styles.
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Lasko Full Circle Ceramic Space Heater
$89 from Amazon Shop Now
If you live with someone who’s constantly fighting off a chill, this tiny, portable gadget will help them in their quest to stay warm.
Portable Laptop Stand and Lap Desk
$28 from AmazonShop Now
Every work-from-homer needs an occasional change of scenery, and this adjustable laptop makes shifting from the desk or dining room table to the sofa that much simpler.
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Catch:3 Essentials Charger and Accessory Tray
$80 from Amazon
This charger and accessory unit is wrapped in Belgian linen for a chic touch that fits right into a home or office. It features multi-coil, single-device wireless charging capability, and three coils allow for faster charging.
Furmax Office and Gaming Chair
$65 from Amazon Shop Now
Is there any more functional gift than a chair? In this case, it’s one for gamers that’s comfortable enough to settle in for long playing sessions and it’s Amazon’s top seller. Translation: Usability high.
Glass Bottle Plant Mister
$15 and up from AmazonShop Now
Plant lovers frequently have multiple misters — one for every room, even — so even if they’re well-stocked in the mister department, one more will still get used. This vintage-style mister comes in eight transparent and matte glass color options.
Related: The Best Gifts for Plant Lovers and Green Thumbs
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Billy Jealousy Beard Envy Kit
$25 on AmazonShop Now
Got someone will stellar facial hair on your list? This kit includes beard wash, beard oil, and a bristle brush, and it comes with a beard-dude-approved 4.4-star rating.
AutoDogMug Dog Bowl Water Bottle
$20 and from ChewyShop Now
Know someone who hikes with their dog regularly? They’ll love this all-in-one water bottle and bowl that’ll guarantee their pup stays hydrated on hot and sunny treks. Available in five colors.
Related: Gifts for Dog-Obsessed Humans
Joby GorillaPod 3K Kit
$45 from Amazon Shop Now
If you know someone who enjoys taking photos, this mega-functional tripod/clamp combo won’t go to waste. The GorillaPod’s grippy legs can be manipulated in every which way, letting the user mount a camera nearly anywhere.
Related: The Best Gifts for Photographers from Newbies to Pros
Moisture (and More) Meter
$13 from AmazonShop Now
If someone on your list identifies as a plant parent, this handy item can be used to test soil moisture, sunlight level, and pH value.
Related: Gardening Must-Haves for Anyone With a Green Thumb
MightyFix Ecofriendly All-Purpose Bundle Kit
$66 from Amazon
This bundle of sustainable household products includes an all-purpose cleaner, wool dryer balls, silicone food savers, and compostable-yet-stylish Swedish dishcloths.
WateLves Memory Foam Slippers
$17 and up from AmazonShop Now
If the past year and half has been anything other than the pandemic and crazy news cycles, it’s been the era of comfort. Let your loved one embrace this silver lining with a pair of these well-reviewed slip-on house shoes, which are lined with fleece but have rubber soles for good traction.
Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker
$30 from AmazonShop Now
If the pragmatist in your life really likes breakfast, he or she can make breakfast sandwiches at home in just five minutes. The removable nonstick parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
Monkey Vegetable Peeler
$13 from AmazonShop Now
Just because something is useful doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. This monkey vegetable peeler is a perfect example of that and it gets great reviews.
Related: Outstanding Gifts Under $25 for Food Lovers
Hydro Flask Water Bottle
$18 and up from AmazonShop Now
If the recipient of your gift is a teenager, this is one that will be used for hydration and status symbol.
Related: Get Going With These Great Gifts for Runners
Electronic Tire-Pressure Gauge
$12 from Amazon Shop Now
Let them forget those old pencil tire-pressure gauges, which aren’t especially accurate anyway. Many sport a built-in LED light for easy viewing and some even come with carrying cases. This stocking stuffer is especially useful for a driver with an older car that lacks a built-in tire-pressure monitor — remember, properly inflating tires extends tread life and helps with gas mileage.
The Always Pan
$99 from Our Place
Noone can argue with a pan that is “designed to replace 8 traditional pieces of cookware.” With a sturdy aluminum body and handsome ceramic coating — available in 10 colors — it’s sure to win over the pragmatist in your life.
Embroidered Baseball Hat
$38 from Harding LaneShop Now
Baseball hats get used, especially when they’re high quality, have a cool design, and will last a long time. These needlepoint-logo hats are all that and more, and they’re available in nearly five dozen designs, including athletic and nature themes and the U.S. flag.
Leatherman Wave Plus Multitool
$105 from AmazonShop Now
This multitool includes 18 tools in total, including screwdrivers, scissors, a saw, wire cutters, and more. Will it get used? Yes, and probably in a multitude of ways. Order direct from Leatherman and you can have it personalized.
Related: Cheap But Cool Gifts for Men
InvisaWear Jewelry
$119 and up from InvisaWear Shop Now
Jewelry, when loved, will always get used, but a piece of jewelry or an accessory with life-saving technology? Now that’s functionality. InvisaWear’s bracelets, scrunchies, necklaces, keychains, and other pieces feature a built-in panic button that will initiate an S.O.S and send an alert to ADT. ADT’s professional 24/7 monitoring services can notify emergency contacts, alert authorities, and share their location to get them the help they need.
Bellroy Slim Sleeve Wallet
$79 from AmazonShop Now
These slim, attractive, long-lasting bifold wallets are made of top-grain leather, are available in seven colors, and come with a three-year guarantee.
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The Medium Transport Tote
$168 from Madewell Shop Now
An attractive and roomy tote in sumptuous leather with the option for a classic monogram in 10 colors? Yep, this one will be used and used proudly.
HoMedics UV Clean Phone Sanitizer
$6 from Amazon Shop Now
Cellphones are basicall petri dishes because we are always touching them. With this UV-light sanitizer, they can zap those invisible germs into oblivion. It’s rechargeable and collapses for travel.
Westmark Germany Hermetus Steel 3-in-1 Resealer Beer Bottle Opener
$13 from Amazon Shop Now
Bottle openers are useful tools anyway, but this German-made one adds extra functionality because it can also reseal a cap and open a twist-off topper.
Related: Raise a Glass to These Gifts for Beer Lovers
Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier
$50 and up from Amazon
The pandemic has made a lot of people re-evaluate the way they live, particularly when it comes to health. Not surprisingly, demand for home air purifiers has skyrocketed this year. There are numerous models available; Blueair’s air purifiers get some of the best reviews from professional testers like Wirecutter and consumers alike.
La Chatelaine Deluxe Hand Cream Collection
$29 from Amazon Shop Now
Winter weather means dry skin, so a gift of these French-made, well-reviewed hand creams — available in seven options — will be a welcome gift.
Instant Pot Pro Plus 6 Qt. Multicooker With Wi-Fi
$150 from Best Buy
The brand behind the original line of multitasking multicookers just released this new Instant Pot that trumps all others. Why? When connected to the Instant Brands Connect app, home chefs can access a library of more than 1,500 smart recipes. Once a recipe is chosen, the app acts like a sous chef, guiding you through each step of the Instant Pot cooking process until dinner is ready for the table. Other features include mobile monitoring, a delayed start time, and more.
Yeti Hopper Flip Portable Cooler
$250 from Amazon Shop Now
If the loved one you’re shopping for loves the outdoors, this Yeti cooler, which holds up to a dozen cans and 15 pound of ice, can be used for camping, fishing, picnics, and more. It’s available in more than a dozen colors.
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Nature Lovers Spiral Notebook Bundle
$119 from DecompositionShop Now
With everyone working and schooling from home these days, unclaimed notebooks can be hard to come by. But a dozen of these — in colorful, cool, and interesting nature-themed designs — guarantee that your recipients will be armed with note-taking resources for quite some time.
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Cuisinart Drip Coffee Maker
$75 from Amazon Shop Now
It gets consistently great reviews, is easy to operate, and — with its stainless steel exterior — looks great in any kitchen. This one will definitely be employed in the fight to stay awake and be productive on a daily basis.
Related: The Best Coffee Makers to Buy at Walmart and Target
Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillows
$61 and up from Amazon Shop Now
Comfortable pillows are always going to get plenty of use. These are hypoallergenic and loved by Amazon buyers.
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Compact Swivel Cheese and Tapas Board
$88 from Uncommon Goods Shop Now
We have a tough time believing this bamboo bowl and cutting board set won’t get used on the regular, especially if the recipient in question entertains often. On the plus side, when not in use, it folds into quite a small footprint, meaning it won’t take up a lot of space in the kitchen cabinets.
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Snowfox Stainless Steel Cocktail Glasses
$35 from Amazon Shop Now
Just because we’re doing more of our cocktail hours at home doesn’t mean we can’t do them in style. Buy these for your favorite COVID-bubble peeps, then invite yourself over to help them get used. Available in tumbler and martini styles.
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Jabra Elite 8 Active Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
$150 from Amazon Shop Now
These Jabra earbuds are sweatproof, stay put, sound great, and buyers report they are also easy to use. They deliver more than eight hours on a full charge and are available in a handful of styles.
Related: 13 Perfectly Good Wireless Earbuds Way Cheaper Than AirPods
OXO Good Grips Adjustable Measuring Cup
$15 from AmazonShop Now
Finally, a measuring cup that gets everything out, without the need to reach for a spatula or spoon. To use, simply twist the bottom of the cup and dispense your ingredient into the bowl. The magic is a silicone disk that acts like a plunger. The gadget is fully adjustable, can hold up to 2 cups, and can be cleaned in your dishwasher.
Related: Kitchen Gifts They’ll Actually Use
Authenticity50 Essential Cotton Towels
$180 from Authenticity50Shop Now
Made from California-grown Supima cotton, Authenticity50’s plush bath towels are also stitched in the U.S.A. And, at 62-by-30 inches, they’re also bigger than a standard towel for spa-like luxury.
Master Maison 19-Piece Knife Set
$94 and up from Amazon
At some point, just about everyone needs a set of knives, and this one comes with a chef’s knife, two bread knives, a carving knife, two Santoku knives, utility and paring knives, and eight steak knives. The set also includes a sharpening tool and comes in a few color choices.
Mighty Bliss Deep Tissue Massager
$54 from Amazon
This cordless handheld massager helps those with pain in their back, shoulders, neck, and more. Comes with six different massage heads and a lifetime warranty. Offers two hours of massage time on a single charge and can be recharged in around one hour.
Sousvide Art Air Fryer Lid for InstaPot
$78 from Amazon
This gadget can turn a six- or eight-quart InstaPot into an air fryer — and save the precious counter and cabinet space. The kit includes the lid, a mesh frying basket, steam rack, silicone mat, tongs, cookbook, and more.
