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57 Of The Best Practical Gifts To Give This Year

Gifts they won't eventually wrap and, well, gift to someone else.

🎁 Hey! While we’re doing our best to make sure the products we feature will arrive in time for Christmas, shipping times are especially tricky this year and can vary depending on where you live, which product you purchase, and more. Shop early and be sure to double check the retailers’ websites for shipping information to ensure that your gift will arrive in time for the 25th!) 🎁

1. A multipurpose glass kitchen board that adds a ton of style, but does *not* take up a lot of space. This functions as a trivet for hot pots and plates, makes for the ideal cutting board, and is the perfect way to display fruits, meats, and cheeses. Talk about a gouda gift, eh?

2. A supremely cozy pom-pom blanket they'll genuinely use all 👏 the 👏 time 👏. Weekends spent rewatching The Office and all one million hours of Law & Order: SVU are about to get so much better.

Three fleece blankets with pom pom edges

3. A W&P Porter ceramic mug as gorgeous as it is useful (I mean this screams Pinterest board). This is reusable, has a protective silicone sleeve, and comes with a secure lid press which makes this the perfect companion for daily morning strolls.

the pink mug

4. Thick wool socks that are like a warm hug for their feet, because who says toes don't deserve a good snuggle? Plus, these do a good job at keeping their hooves feeling warm without making 'em sweaty...which is no small ~feat~.

5. A geometric tray with four interchangeable and stackable pieces that look like they were sourced from a modern art museum. Plus, these gorgeous pieces of art (ART, I tell ya) are perfect for everything from jewelry storage to breakfast in bed.

the interchangeable tray with yellow, green, orange, and white pieces

6. A flip mini waffle maker, because what they *really* want is a trip to Disney but we have to make do. This easy-to-clean, nonstick gadget churns out six Mickey-shaped waffles for a breakfast that would give even EPCOT a run for its money.

the Mickey Mouse waffle maker

7. A Takeya cold brew maker so they can drink their favorite caffeinated beverage whenever you please without the $5+ charge (NYC coffee = so damn expensive). This is cleverly designed with an airtight lid and stainless-steel filter to keep coffee fresh for up to two weeks.

8. A Daily Harvest box for the gift of a delicious, nutritious, and quick lunch. You'll get to ~customize~ up to nine selects for them — but good luck choosing from the likes of mint and cacao smoothies, butternut squash harvest bowls, sweet potato flatbreads, avocado-based chocolate fudge ice cream, and more.

a smoothie, harvest bowl, and ice cream

9. An expandable and adjustable wooden caddy tray that even has a designated spot for their wine glass. Picture a fizzy bath bomb and perhaps a good show streaming on Netflix, perched on a sturdy surface that guarantees their laptop won't suffer water damage.

10. A Wilton cooling rack for the pal who either A: has a food Insta or B: has come very close to creating one. This tiered tool is collapsible and can fit up to three dozen cookies (aka the exact amount I'd like to eat in one sitting).

the cookies on a cooling rack

11. A fragrance discovery set so they can ~discover~ their new favorite scent: their nostrils will be delighted by notes of bergamot, cannabis, dark rum, leather, stem, and vetiver.

the fragrance kit

12. Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eye Shadow Base genuinely keeps their smoky eye and cat-inspired liner in tact all 👏 day 👏 long 👏. That's right, folks! No creasing, smudging, fallout, or crying under the watch of this cruelty-free stocking stuffer.

13. A makeup organizer that functions as both a gorgeous piece of decor and the perfect ~keep everything in place~ tool. Get ready to make them feel like straight royalty every time they reach for that $4 drugstore lipstick.

the makeup compartment with gold detailing

14. A Miku smart monitor that streams video and audio in real-time, tracking your baby's sleep quality, sleep times, breathing rate, crying, and more. Reviewers swear that this tiny gadget — and its associated app — is completely worth the splurge.

hand holding app on smart phone

15. A silicone popcorn maker capable of making 15 cups of popcorn in under four minutes. They'll just have to add in some kernels, ~pop~ it in the microwave, and their movie marathon feast is now ready to be devoured.

16. A customizable apéritif kit made from real, delicious ingredients that will make their bar cart feel a thousand times more luxurious. Choose from the following four flavors: citrus flower, rose rosé, bitter clove, and lemon lavender.

the clear bottles

17. A travel flask so chic, the fact that it holds water is just an additional perk. The slim design makes it easy to slip into their purse, plus a leakproof seal means that no unnecessary spills will occur. Not ever.

reviewer photo of clear travel flask

18. A Tile Mate that is *pulls rabbit out of a top hat* pure magic. This tiny gizmo has a 200-foot Bluetooth range and an associated app that ensures they never lose any of their important belongings again. No judgement. But they've misplaced their purse no less than 37 times.

the white tile on a purse

19. A leak-proof champagne stopper to keep their favorite beverage as fizzy as the day it was popped. This built-in pressure pump preserves bubbles and therefore preserves champagne, meaning the entire bottle need not be finished on the day it was opened. Now without further ado, can I get a mimosa please?

on the left, the stainless-steel and black stopper labeled "seal it" and on the right, a hand pressing down labeled "pump it"

20. A dress shirt best described by one word: crisp. This is crafted with stretch fabric and a stretch collar for maximum comfort, guaranteeing its spot as their new favorite basic.

21. A BPA-free, microwave-safe bowl to prevent *le gasp* soggy cereal. It's also great for separating chips and dip, soups and sandwiches, fries and ketchup, and the list goes on for miles.

reviewer photo of white bowl with cereal on one side and milk on the other

22. BuzzFeed's Tasty Adulting cookbook because anyone can cook — they just haven't had the proper tutor yet. This chronicles 75 easy peasy recipes that walks them through cooking ~foundations~ and helps them master the classics (think the perfect skirt steak).

The cover of the book

23. I Dew Care Plush Party Lip Balm addresses chapped lips once and for all. This functions as a sleeping mask — they can apply this shea butter, cocoa butter, hibiscus flower extract, and vitamin C mask formula before bed and wake up to a nourished pout. No flakes. Ever again.

the pink lip balm with reviewer text that says "this has saved my lips"

24. Jumbo silicone ice molds that guarantee a better cocktails-at-home experience. Fancy looks aside, these perfectly shaped chunks of ice take forever to melt — aka, so long diluted negronis and hello beverages that look like something out of a mixologist's handbook.

25. Pet steps so that your four-legged roommate can climb onto their bed — er, your bed — with ease. No more halfhearted jumps; no more staring at you until you let them up. The latter has ruined many a WFH meeting, personally.

pug climbing down wide stairs leading from bed

26. A foldover leather tote because it's about time they retire that $12 purse they purchased in college and somehow still wear. There are lipstick stains in the inner pocket. The strap is starting to unravel at the seams. It had a good run, but it's time to move on.

27. A tiered hammock organizer so they can *finally* get their remote controls in order. No more searching between couch cushions and under pillows before proceeding to shake out their blanket, in which the remotes fall out and batteries get scattered everywhere. A true nightmare.

reviewer photo of gray tiered hammock

28. A two-piece outfit that is basically a gazillion options in one: They can wear this as a matching ensemble, throw on the sweater with workout leggings, pair the bottoms with a favorite band tee, and the list goes on.

29. An expandable smart bracelet for a gift that is both stylish *and* functional. There's a nifty button on the inside of the charm that, when pressed twice, alerts up to five contacts about your current whereabouts (exact location included) to indicate you need help.

model wearing silver expandable bracelet

30. A Kai Luna knife set so they can finally toss their dull, mismatched, barely-cuts-through-anything cutlery. This set comes with a wooden storage block, chef, utility, paring, and citrus knives, plus a honing and sharpening steel.

31. A barbecue dry rub gift set packed with six decadent flavors, each of which contains a paprika base along with additional ingredients from cayenne pepper and turmeric to rosemary and thyme.

the six golden tins

32. A dual-part dish rack ideal for anyone with a ton of dishes, but limited counter space. This baby is extendable and folds in half when not in use. Simply ~expand~ it to its biggest setting when you have to set 97 dishes, 32 spoons, and 10,008 coffee mugs to dry.

33. A Toucan pitcher that makes something as boring as, oh, milk seem exciting. For everything from water and OJ to fresh-squeezed lemonade, this is the perfect functional-but-fun item to keep in your fridge at all times. *pours milk from Toucan pitcher over bowl of sugary cereal with similar Toucan ties*

the yellow and blue toucan-inspired pitcher

34. A fuzzy sweater lauded by reviewers for being ridiculously cozy and soft. For a more chic version of their favorite fleece pajama top, *this* is just the ticket they've been scouring the internet for.

35. A stainless-steel universal lid about to clear up SO much kitchen space. I can picture it now: them opening a cabinet and nothing falling out. This is great for 7- to 12-inch pots, pans, and skillets, plus it's dishwasher-safe and heat-safe up to 425 degrees.

reviewer photo of the stainless steel lid

36. An Ecotools makeup cleaner because yes, brushes need to be deep cleaned on occasion. Not only are makeup tools a breeding ground for bacteria (and a pimple apocalypse waiting to happen), but applying foundation with a brush covered in built-up foundation is definitely *not* ideal.

37. A Cora laundry ball inspired by the ocean's coral filters. In other words, this mimics those filters by collecting the microfibers that would otherwise build up in your washing machine — and ultimately make their way into our waterways.

the blue laundry ball

38. A mini fabric steamer that scoffs in the face of deep wrinkles. Yes, they just pulled this button-down out of the hamper! No, they don't have anything else to wear! A quick run with this steamer (it heats up in 90 seconds flat) means a crisp blouse that looks as if it were just picked up from the cleaners.

39. Margarita glasses to elevate their ~at-home marg~ experience. It's simple: They can store this in the freezer until they're ready for some tequila and it'll keep their drink at the *perfect* temperature (goodbye, melted ice cubes and diluted drinks!), plus the silicone gripper means it's easy to hold.

the glasses

40. A USB-powered cooling pad for anyone with a computer that overheats so often, their lap feels permanently warm. This can easily remedy that problem: It's equipped with three fans and is so lightweight, it feels like it's not even there.

reviewer photo of the cooling pad emitting blue light

41. A 6-quart Vortex air fryer for making all of their favorite comfort foods — we're talking everything from wings and glazed donuts to charred Brussels sprouts and sesame chicken — *without* having to use hot oil. It's even great for crisping up leftovers!

42. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream that's a cult-favorite for a reason: this jar of goodness uses hyaluronic acid and peptides to improve elasticity, provide hydration, and visibly reduce fine lines in just a few quick swipes. It's also fragrance-free, to boot.

hand holding the red jar of moisturizer

43. Reusable twist ties that will let them put all "this charging cord is tangled beyond help" situations to rest. These simple pieces of rubber are an easy (but genius) stocking stuffer that keep everything from chargers to USB cables in check.

44. A tailored fit top coat because the weather outside is getting more and more frightful, aka their hoodie is no longer going to cut it. This layer is made from a durable fine wool blend that is durable, soft, and warm.

the gray coat with three buttons

45. An ergonomic foot rest that basically *forces* them to improve your posture. Not only will this prevent slouching over their laptop, but it also helps alleviate the back and foot pain they'd experience as a result of said slouching.

reviewer using black foot rest under desk

46. A Wilton color swirl piping kit because they may have mastered the recipe they saw on Pinterest, but frosting that cupcake they just spent a painstaking amount of time on? Put the butter knife down. It's not going to work. Please tell them to try this instead.

47. Keurig cleaning cups to deep clean their coffee machine (#poetry) within minutes. They have to simply pop this biodegradable cleaner in as they would a cup of caffeine and then proceed to marvel at the gunk that's made its way into their daily cup of joe.

48. A "Did you feed the dog?" sign for anyone who lives with a partner or roommate who shares dog duties. If there have been multiple days in which your pupper has scarfed down two breakfast due to human error... get this ASAP.

device with sliders for two meals each day of the week

49. A microfiber duster to turn cleaning into, dare I say, an enjoyable chore!? This traps dust particles with every swipe — and seeing all that gunk accumulate will be more satisfying than they can imagine. *begins to nervous sweat at the thought of when I last dusted*

50. An Umbra countertop tray to keep their cell upright and provide it with a permanent home, plus it functions as a catch-all tray for the random items cluttering up their desk: keys, jewelry, coins, the works.

the white countertop tray with an iPhone and ring inside

51. A shower caddy with an adhesive backing strong enough to withstand all of their conditioners (of which they inexplicably have, like, a million). Just peel, stick on the shower wall, wait twelve hours, and they're good to go.