Practical Gifts People Will Actually Use

For the ultra-practical, skip the bells and whistles — and the guesswork. With Gift Card Greetings, you can send a built-in digital gift card from over 100 popular brands, giving them the freedom to choose exactly what they want. It keeps the sentiment intact while making sure your loved ones get something they’ll actually use from their favorite brands, because there’s nothing better than a gift you can pick out yourself. ($4.99, Hallmark)*

It's got a mesh interior, water-resistant exterior, and a wide handle so it's easy to carry. The three interior pockets are removable and close via a zipper. Toss in makeup, skincare, hair tools — whatever you need while away from home. If someone in your life is constantly on the road for work, we can't think of a better, more practical holiday gift. ($98, Hobo Bags)

​​One shopping editor swears by this milk_shake mist for detangling her long hair. It also acts as a comprehensive leave-in conditioner, so they’ll have smoother, softer hair throughout the day, even if they air-dry it. We also love the sweet-but-not-sickly fragrance. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

They can get rid of their old, clunky humidifier that takes up a ton of space. This one from Canopy has a super-sleek design, comes in six muted shades, and even has dishwasher-safe parts. It’ll help keep their skin hydrated and alleviate cold, flu, and allergy symptoms. You can also add an aromatherapy kit to your order to so they can create a soothing, spa-like atmosphere at home. PS: Use code SKIMM15 to get 15% off sitewide. ($134+, Canopy)

FP Movement's Quilted Carryall Bag constantly sells out for a reason: It's extra-roomy but lightweight, and it's made of the cutest, quilted fabric. It's ideal for the gym, as it has plenty of room for a change of clothes and a toiletry bag, but they'll also reach for it for office days and running errands. It comes in pretty much any color you could ask for. ($68, FP Movement)

For the frequent jetsetter or the generally disorganized friend in your life, we recommend a gift that keeps on giving — packing cubes to keep their clothing intact as they traipse through yet another European city. This option from Baggu even comes in fun designs and colorways. ($36/2 pack, Urban Outfitters) 

Hemp Extract, Ashwagandha, and Passionflower are the trio blend behind Be Calm, wearable wellness patches to keep them zen on particularly stressful days. Ingredients are slowly released throughout the course of eight to 12 hours to ensure long-lasting effects. ($16/4 pack, The Good Patch)

Athena Club x Juicy Couture is the body-care collab you never knew you needed. From a sugar scrub to a shave butter, the products in this exclusive line will leave post-shave skin soft and smooth — and the iconic hot pink packaging will have them dreaming of their Y2K days. Naturally, there’s also a pink velour pouch spangled in rhinestones on offer. ($10+, Athena Club)

Listen, the art of making fancy coffee at home is not a difficult one to master — all that’s required is a handheld frother. This PowerLix option is battery-operated and makes it easy to have decadent lattes, cappuccinos, and frothy matcha drinks without having to fork over the big bucks at their local coffee chain. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon) 

Not a very sexy gift, but if someone in your life deals with poor circulation or leg swelling, a pair of compression socks can really do the trick. This pair has arch support, is machine-washable, and can aid with recovery post exercise. They're also a great option for those who experience a lot of swelling during travel. One of our editors keeps a pair by her bedside to soothe her legs when they feel restless before bed. PS: There are various options for men, too. ($29.99, Sockwell)

Help them decrease their disposable-cup use with this portable ceramic mug, one that’s coated in protective silicone for durability. The splash-resistant lid makes this a commuter’s dream, too, because they won’t have to worry about drops of spilled coffee landing on their white button-down PS: One of our editors owns this mug and uses it every morning. ($30, W&P)

This Conair fabric shaver and lint remover has accumulated over 120,000 reviews, and understandably so — this nifty gadget revives beloved old couches and makes well-worn sweaters look as good as new. It’s battery-operated and the compact size means it doesn’t require a ton of storage space. It’s a must-have for every home. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

The problem with making iced coffee at home is that it tastes like water the moment a hint of melted ice comes into question. Introducing a foolproof solution to that problem: the HyperChiller. Pour hot coffee directly inside, swirl for 60 seconds, and then pour the contents over a cup of ice. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

The DevaCurl anti-frizz towel does exactly as it promises — minimizes post-shower frizz. This is designed for wavy and curly hair, absorbing enough water to speed up drying time while keeping ringlets defined in the process. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon) 

Whether they need peace and quiet in their home office, or need to drown out the sounds of a chatty flight seatmate, the Quiet 2 earplugs from Loop Earplugs ensure comfortable noise reduction for hours on end and come with several tip sizes for a customized fit. A convenient carrying case makes it easy to slip into any purse, too. ($24.95, Loop Earplugs)  

Tiny kitchens mean limited storage space, and the Dash mini waffle maker fits the criteria of “small but mighty” when it comes to useful kitchen gadgets. They’ll simply have to plug this in, pour in batter, and wait a few seconds for a homemade waffle — but the best part is a 6-inch design that can be neatly stored in any cabinet. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon) 

This celebrity-loved ice roller is a jack-of-all-trades tool: it helps reduce puffiness, improve circulation, soothe wax burns, lessen migraines, and provides a morning energy boost that doesn’t require caffeine. They can store this in the freezer and use it to their heart’s content. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

Entering adulthood means craving gifts that result in satisfying before-and-after photos. Case in point: a cordless electric spin scrubber to help them clean hard-to-reach crevices throughout their bathroom, kitchen, and all the remaining tiles and windows throughout their home. This comes with nine replaceable brush heads, two cleaning speeds, and four handle lengths. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon) 

If their pet has been sporting accessories that are tearing at the seams, they’ll appreciate this stylish harness walk kit from Wild One. It comes with a cushioned harness for comfortable support, a dirt- and odor-resistant leash, and a matching poop bag carrier to ensure accidents get cleaned up. ($108, Wild One)

An umbrella that won’t break at the first gust of wind? You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more practical gift than this Weatherman model, made with a quick-drying and water-repellent fabric that will keep them dry during morning commutes, and fits easily into any bag. ($74, Weatherman) 

The magnetic travel capsules from Cadence are a traveler’s dream thanks to a leakproof, TSA-compliant design that makes airport security lines feel a hint less nightmare-ish. It's the perfect solution for storing their favorite shampoo and face wash, without having to lug full bottles through multiple continents. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon) 

The iRoller screen cleaner removes smudges and fingerprints from digital screens, including their cells, laptops, and tablets. It’s liquid-free and won’t damage their devices, can be stored anywhere thanks to a pocket-friendly design, and it’s reusable. A win all around. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

If your friend is prone to misplacing their possessions with more frequency than they’d care to admit…there can be no greater gift than a four-pack of Apple AirTags. From their wallet to their suitcase, these compact gadgets make it easy to locate lost possessions when paired with Apple’s Find My app. ($83.88/4 pack, Walmart)

If the avid reader in your life has dog-eared every book you’ve lent them, consider this 10-piece magnetic bookmark set a gift for both them and you — think of all the pages that will be spared thanks to this $6 investment. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)