41 Best Useful Gifts (Gift Ideas For Practical People)

Great Gift Ideas For The Home 

I recently did an ad campaign for Bed Bath & Beyond (yup, they’re back, baby), and I was shopping for new pots and pans. I know cookware is basic, but it’s useful and one of the most thoughtful gifts for a new homeowner or college graduate. Here are a few other kitchen tools, gadgets, and home goods that I cannot live without.

1. Rubbermaid Bakeware Set — I bought these right before the holidays in November, and they are one of the best products I’ve bought all year! This glass bakeware nests together, so it’s easy to store in cabinets and incredibly lightweight compared to my other bakeware. Put the glass container in the oven to cook a casserole, and after dinner, pop on the lid and store the leftovers in the fridge. Heat it up in the microwave, and pop it in the dishwasher when it’s empty. Now that I’ve written that, this might be the most useful gift in this entire list and a gift mom will love!
2. Bath Towels — There’s nothing like getting out of the shower and wrapping up in a new bath towel. You probably have old grungy towels (don’t worry, I have them, too) unless you’re newly married. My top pick is from Boll & Branch, and yes, they are worth the higher price point because they stay soft and fluffy wash after wash. 
3. NanoTowel Stainless Steel Cleaner – I have no idea what type of sorcery is inside this reusable towel, but it magically cleans your stainless steel appliances chemical-free. Just wet it down with some water and wipe it!
4. Command Picture Hanging Kit – I was initially skeptical of these damage-free wall hooks. Would my artwork fall to the ground in a month? Nope! I hung a gallery wall last year, and these hooks are still holding strong! If you want a useful gift for a renter, this is a banger gift idea!  
5. Flexible Silicone Spatula Set — I bought this silicone utensil set to prevent scratching my new pots and pans. They come in different colors (I purchased the khaki) and have wooden handles. 
6. Large Square Ice Cube Trays — I second-guessed myself on this ice cube tray, but I asked The Boy what practical thing you would gift someone, and his answer was large square ice cube trays. We use these ice cubes all the time. The Boy uses them when he enjoys a bourbon, and I use them over drinks that will get overly watered down with the nugget ice. 

Useful Gifts For The Beauty Lover

When it comes to makeup essentials, my go-to shops are Sephora and Ulta, but to keep things simple, the most useful item might be a gift card. There are so many colors and fragrances to choose from for beauty products. But if you’re bound and determined to get your teen girl who thinks she’s a beauty editor the best Christmas gifts, here are a few of my expert recommendations.

1. Farmacy Green Clean – If your beauty lover wears makeup, this is for her! This is part of my double cleanse evening routine, especially if I’m wearing foundation and mascara that night. Scoop a small chunk into your hand, massage it onto your face, and wipe the makeup away with a cloth. It removes so much more than facial soap alone. 
2. Patchology Rejuvenating Eye Gels – These eye patches are the perfect addition to a self-care gift bag. The box contains five pairs of eye gels for $15 and helps you look like you got 8 hours of sleep in under 5 minutes. 
3. Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Mascara – A beauty influencer suggested I try this mascara, and I have zero regrets.  It brushes on smoothly, doesn’t clump, and gives you a lot of volume. It’s the perfect gift for any makeup lover. 
4. Botanical Glow Facial Oil — It may sound counter-productive to put oil on your face, but trust me, I put this rosehip seed oil on my face every morning, and my skin has never looked healthier! It takes some of the redness down from my rosacea and decreases those fine lines. It’s especially perfect for dry skin during the winter months. 
5. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray – This spray gives my hair the perfect hold without feeling sticky or hard —it’s not a hairspray like Aquanet, but it’s not a dry shampoo. It just gives your hair some grip that is perfect for creating some volume for an updo, messy bun, or ponytail. Also, it smells absolutely fabulous!

Practical Gifts For Him (And Her)

1. Bluetooth Speaker — You may have seen this Bluetooth speaker in my lakeside must haves because our friends have this water-resistant speaker on their boat. This is one of those tech gadgets with a long-lasting battery, and if you have multiple Bose speakers, you can link them together via the app. 
2. Hero Clip — My friend Colleen introduced me to this large 3-in-1 clip and hook. She camps and says this is THE carabiner to own because it can hang almost anything, anywhere.
3. Yeti Tumbler — The Boy is very protective of his Yeti cups. His love runs deep, especially when he’s out hunting. This insulated cup has kept his coffee hot for hours, even in the coldest temperatures. 
4. DeWalt Cordless Drill — I bought this cordless drill for The Boy a few years ago, and he was skeptical because it’s lightweight and small. But it holds its charge for months, and it fits in tighter spots because it’s compact. Perfect for the at-home handyman (or woman). 
5. Victorinox Swiss Army Knife — The Boy always has his pocket knife on him, and until I met him, I never realized how useful it was to have one on you at all times. BTDubs, this incredibly useful gadget, comes in multiple color options. 
6. TUMI Backpack — I didn’t get the TUMI hype until I popped into the airport shop while waiting for a delayed flight. I just thought this sleek design pricey luggage was for bougie biz dudes. NOPE! This is the most practical backpack ever (I own the women’s backpack) because it has a compartment for everything! This one has a special pocket that fits a larger laptop, a water-resistant pocket for a water bottle, and helps keep your things organized. It’s my go-to travel bag. 

Amazon Finds That Make Useful Gifts

As an avid Amazon shopper, I’ve scoured the site multiple times to find the best Amazon Must Haves. Here’s what makes the list of top gifts! 

1. Glass Food Containers – These small food storage containers come in a 5-pack and have airtight snap-locking lids to keep my food fresh—perfect for leftovers. The glass part is oven, microwave, and dishwasher-safe, while the lids are BPA-free and under $20. It’s a perfect little Secret Santa gift.
2. Kasa Smart Plugs — These plugs are easy to install, and all I have to say is, “Alexa, turn off bedroom lights.” and magic! I can also control them from my phone. Not only is it affordable, but it’s one of the best tech gifts!
3. Shark WANDVAC Cordless Vacuum – No matter how old my kids are, they are still mess makers. We have this cordless vacuum in the kitchen and use it after meals. Remove the top handle, and it turns into a handvac! Presto chango! 
4. Amber Reading Light – My friend Lauren says you need this blue light blocker while reading a good book, kindle, or tablet in bed. It has three variable brightness settings, clips onto your device, and helps preserve your body’s natural melanin production.
5. Fabric Shaver and Lint Remover — You know those little pilling balls on sweaters and pillows? This little practical gadget shaves them right off in seconds! 
6. Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum & Mop — I bought this Roomba during the last Amazon Prime Day Sale because our Yeedi robotic vacuum stopped working. The iRobot Roomba is a workhorse, and I love this one in particular because it self-empties. Ours runs on schedule, so we just set it and forget it. It’s pricier but still a practical gift idea. 

Best Gifts For The Pet Parent (Dogs)

After adopting Comet, I became a connoisseur of plushy pet toys and dog treats. Our dog has a copious amount of toys, but only a choice few are his favorites. The top holiday gift I would purchase for a dog parent would be this plush alligator stuffy. Now, some dogs will destroy a toy like this in seconds, so here are a few other practical gifts for dogs.

1. Bully Sticks — Comet gets a bully stick daily, and it’s his favorite treat. They smell absolutely awful, but he loves them! 
2. Milk-Bone Minis — All the dog owners in my neighborhood seem to carry a stash of these in their pockets on walks. 
3. BISSELL Little Green Machine – This compact steam cleaner is a must-have if you have pets or a kid. It has saved my poor carpet from kid barf and a few pet accidents from when Comet was a puppy. 
4. The Crap Carrier — The name speaks for itself, LOL. It hangs off the leash and holds the poo bag until you can dispose of it properly.
5. Moose Plush Dog Toy — Comet has gone through 3 Ali The Alligators in 3 years, so when he finally destroys Ali, his next favorite plushy is his moose. 
6. Kong Squeaky Balls — We hired a dog trainer, and the first thing she busted out were these squeaky balls. Take two balls. Throw one and keep the other. Once the dog retrieves, he’ll drop the one in his mouth to fetch the other. Keep squeaking the one to keep the game going. It’s hours of fun and incredibly useful when it’s raining outside. 
7. Duck Flat Plush Toy — This flat duck has a crackle noise maker inside and gives the moose a run for its money.

White Elephant Gifts That Are Useful And Practical

With the holidays come white elephant parties, so if you’re looking for a Favorite Things Party Gift Ideas under $25, you’ve come to the right spot. These affordable, useful gifts are my love language. 

1. Small Hole Repair All-In-One Spackle Kit – This handy dandy spackle kit showed up on my TikTok FYP, and I immediately had to try it. OBSESSED! Squeeze the goo from the tube into the drywall hole, scrape, let it dry, and sand with the cap. It’s freaking genius and is under $10. 
2. Scrub Daddy Color Sponge – My friend Donna cannot live without her Scrub Daddy sponge. They are long-lasting, odor-resistant, and get the job done. There’s a reason why Amazon customers love these smiling wash pads.
3. Sleek Socket Ultra Slim Outlet Cover With Extention Cord – This outlet cover was originally made to baby-proof your home (attention new moms), but I love using these behind heavy cabinets that are pushed up against the wall. It makes for a snug fit behind furniture, and you can easily swap out a lamp. 
4. Furniture Sliders — When there’s a will, there’s a way, am I right? I constantly move furniture around my house, so I have a few sets of these sliders. They protect the floor from scratches, and you can move a couch all by yourself! 
5. Reusable Grocery Shopping Bags — I keep this 4-pack of reusable canvas bags in my trunk and declare they are one of the most useful gifts for under $25. I bring them to Trader Joe’s, pack them full of items I don’t want sliding around while driving, and fold them flat for easy storage. 
6. Short-Length Press-On Nails — Wait, are press-on nails practical? Heck yes! Especially if you’re pressed for time (LOL, see what I did there?). These take less than 10 minutes to pop on, look like a professional manicure, can last up to a week, and cost less than $10.