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We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Clever, decorative, and downright useful ideas.
"I (obviously) adore an interactive decor op, as does my wonderful friend Courtney who gave me this scratch-off world map a few years ago. It hangs in my bedroom at my parents’ house and every time I go somewhere new I look forward to scratching off a representation of that location (preferably with a coin from said place). Since then, I’ve traveled to England and France (in one week), drove to Montreal for a long weekend, and have racked up several more US states." —Elizabeth Lilly
Get it from Uncommon Goods for $26 or $40 (depending on the size, 23x32 inches or 33x46 inches available).
"I, an adult woman, cannot remember the last time I bought a box of tissues for my home (though I have several purse packs?!). But now that I’m playing house as a grown-ass person in an apartment to myself, I’m trying to be *responsible*. So obviously buying this whimsical tissue box cover is peak adulting.
Perhaps the reason I’ve been so bad at keeping around a box of tissues is because tissues just look...kind of ugly out in the open. But not with this lil’ cover! Now it’s a ~design element~ that I’ll hopefully remember to keep full. For now, it’s filled with a square box of tissues I unearthed from my old apartment’s closet while packing; it's presently neatly housed inside the tissue box cover, providing the "smoke" for the tiny chimney." —Elizabeth Lilly
Get it from Amazon for $6.13 or AllModern (a Wayfair brand) for $7.19.
"I've been using these for strawberries and spinach since March 2018, and I promise you, they really, truly work. On March 5th, I put half of my fresh strawberries in the medium-sized container and left the other half in the clamshell container they came in from the store. Ten days later, on March 15th, I compared the two, and, well, the photos above speak for themselves!
With more use, I've figured out that if there are bruises or mold on strawberries, sometimes this can encourage them to mold a little faster. But as long as the strawbs are in good shape, they actually will stay pretty much perfect for a full two weeks!" —Natalie Brown
For more, read the full review, which has even more photos.
Get them on Amazon: one blueberry size and one lettuce size for $19.99 (other sets and sizes also available at that link) or a set of three containers (one strawberry size and two lettuce size) for $26.99.
"Keyrings are often overlooked! I love the elegant design, but it also seems very functional to get keys on and off compared to your normal round key ring. I added this to my Amazon Christmas shopping list, hoping my husband gets the hint." —Kenah Trusewich
Get it on Amazon for $15 (+$5.95 shipping).
"I have been transfixed with my ring ever since I first got engaged. What can I say? It sparkles in the sunlight and I can't help but stare at it. But how to keep it looking new without damaging the stone? Let me introduce you to the amazing Connoisseurs Diamond Dazzle Stik. It contains micro-fine cleansers, polishing agents, and a polymer that will make your gems so shiny they'll nearly blind you.
All you have to do is wet the tip of the brush, then twist the bottom of the pen until you see the blue substance reach the tip of the bristles. Swipe it over your stones, rinse it off, and VOILA! It's like you have a brand-new piece of jewelry. I have a jewelry cleaner that was always my go-to product to freshen up my pieces, but this pen has become a true game-changer. It's easier to use than a steamer, plus it has more visible results. And it's is the perfect size for tossing into your makeup bag or handbag. You can spiffy up your jewels, even if you're on the go!" —Heather Braga
Get it on Amazon for $4.49.
"I've never really liked to use any calendar app on my phone: the screen is too small for me to see my day in the context of my entire week, and despite my best efforts I often found myself accidentally double booked in my weekends and evenings. I tried carrying a paper planner around for a while, too, but I often forgot it at home and when I didn't, it was cumbersome and heavy to carry around (most of us don't have cars here in NYC, so my bag is on my shoulder 99% of the time I'm out and about). Then I found this wall calendar. It hangs right by the door to my apartment, so every day I can glance quickly at what I have going on. And when I'm texting (or on a call) with someone about plans, I can walk over to the calendar to make sure I'm not double booked! Yes, it does mean that when I'm not at home I can't 100% confirm plans, but we somehow managed that pre-smartphone and I just tell them I'll confirm with them when I get home.
Because it's Rifle Paper Co., it has a gorgeous design on every page, but nothing that you get tired of looking at through the month. It's printed on nice, heavy paper that feels good to write on, and there's enough space in each square for me to fill my days. Since I got it in March, I haven't double booked myself once! Plus when I feel like life's zooming by too quickly, it's easy to look back month to month and remind myself of just how much fun I had each and every week." —Natalie Brown
Get it from Anthropologie for $26.
"I actually bought these for my mom after she showed me two Costco-size boxes (100 pack) of these pods that just get thrown away. So much trash... it's a little change." —Hitomi Aihara
Get them on Amazon for $10.95.
"I like having all the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies on hand at all times in case of emergency. But frankly, after spotting a mouse in my apartment, I tossed all my open bags and started fresh. Enter Pop Containers from OXO (yep, the avocado tool people).
The sleek-looking containers keep food fresh and presentable and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate your various needs. So far I've used them for sugar, flour, cornmeal, Wheat Thins, spaghetti, pretzels, and almonds. Each container has a big button on top that you can press to open or seal the jar. It's so satisfying to pop these things open that I can't imagine using a different container system ever again." —Rebecca O'Connell
Get them on Amazon: the three-piece set for $35.99 or the five-piece set for $49.95.
"It's not the sexiest gift but this Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber changed my life and it's the perfect stocking stuffer for neat-freaks! I used to spend HOURS scrubbing the grout lines in my bathroom with a toothbrush and bleach. This electric scrubber gets it done in half the time and cleans deeper than I ever could! A sparkling, fresh bathroom? To me, that's the greatest gift of all! —Erin Phraner
This thing works small miracles! I cleaned about half my bathroom's grout to its original sparkling-clean cream color in 40 minutes, and it took honestly no effort at all. It's like an electric toothbrush, except with a much bigger head, and super stiff bristles. I also use it to scrub off built-up bathtub soap scum in (honestly!) less than a minute. Multiple Amazon reviewers point out that it works wonders on hard water deposits/buildup around faucets and on clear shower doors, too. Your entire bathroom will look brand new!" —Natalie Brown
Get one on Amazon for $20.01 or at Target for $19.99 (which includes the Grout Brush head in the package; they're sold separately on Amazon).
"I've used my Jetz-Scrubz for about three months now — and it literally shows no signs of wear or tear. I would have gone through at least two regular cellulose sponges in that time. And I bet it lasts at *least* four months total, if not six...or more. Its secrets: it's synthetic, so it doesn't have any natural fiber that encourage bacteria to thrive. The soft/spongy side makes dishes a sparkling clean, but doesn't have any holes big enough to pick up food particles. And the scrubby side's durable, so it stands up to tough, stuck-on foods.
I know it might be kind of weird to gift a sponge, but I think people appreciate a practical, useful stocking stuffer that'll make life easier and save them money in the long run!" —Natalie Brown
Get them on Amazon: a pack of three for $14.90 (about $5 each) or pack of three of the same sponge in a smaller, round shape (some people with smaller hands find it more comfortable to hold) for $13.43 (about $4.50 each).
"String lights are a classic. They add late-night ambiance and ~cozy vibes~, which I, as a night owl, am alllll about. I have these super thin but sturdy (and also bendable!) copper wire string lights looped around my bed frame, and before my roomie and I hosted a housewarming party, we bought two more sets of them to hang in our living room.
We just wanted to add a lil' something to make our place look a bit more inviting (besides its two lovely hostesses armed with awesome snacks and libations, of course). And these totally do the trick: cute and not ostentatious, casual-party-mood-inducing, and just the right amount of brightness. Hashtag interior decorator." —Sarah Han
Get the 15-foot long strand from Urban Outfitters for $24 (and a similar flamingo lamp on Amazon for $28.99).
"When my fiancé and I moved in together, there was more than a little friction about where in the hell we were going to store my very many beauty and hair products in our very cramped bathroom. Placing them out in the open on our over-the-toilet wire shelving unit (or etagere, if you really want to be fancy) looked messy, so we opted for two sets of these storage baskets to tidy things up. They fit in seamlessly thanks to their neutral hue and relatively nondescript design, and their thick rope detail adds just enough visual interest to keep the setup from looking too blah, transforming our storage sitch from unkempt to cute." —Emmy Favilla
Get them on Amazon for $21.99 (also available in a dark grey).
"My cat Benny is face-licking, chirp-meowing little furball who loves human attention. But his company comes with the caveat that he also LOVES playing with his water bowl and splashing water everywhere. His hobbies also include pushing around his food and water bowls for sport. So I decided to try the Neater Feeder, and it's been working out great.
First the bowl is elevated, which apparently helps aid in digestion and makes eating more comfortable for your furry loved ones. Secondly, its design renders it spill-proof: It has a bottom tray that catches any spillover from the water bowl, which, along with Benny's food bowl, remains nestled in the top portion, complete with a drain at the front of the product. I haven't seen a drop of water on my floors since I purchased this thing, and emptying out the lower reservoir is as easy as can be. You just snap the top portion off and spill all the excess water into the sink. If you have a messy pet or just want to ensure your floors are always safe from water damage, this feeder is a fantastic investment." —Emmy Favilla
Get them on Amazon: one for cats for $16.78+ (available in seven colors) and one for dogs for $34.99+ (available in three sizes and six colors).
"My beloved golden retriever, Luke (pictured above), recently turned 10 and has started having some issues with his hips. As a puppy he'd never pay attention to dog beds, since I got him this La-Z-Boy he's had a change of heart. It's super sturdy but perfectly soft, and he loves lounging in it." —Heather Braga
Get it from Chewy for $129.95.
"It’s teeny (you can totally bring it when you travel!), and stows neatly away in even the smallest spaces. Personally, I keep mine under the bathroom sink for last minute de-wrinklings. It heats up in 90 seconds, which for my snooze button–hitting ass, is basically a miracle.
It's v lightweight (about one pound), and the water tank is the perfect size to thoroughly steam up to five-ish garments, making it a no-brainer for a quick pass over a blouse OR when steaming a whole bunch of clothes the night before a vacation. IT WORKS!!!" —Maitland Quitmeyer
Get it on Amazon for $25.97.
"Two of the most basic facts about me are that 1) I love pasta and 2) I'm lazy as heck, especially after a long day when I get home HANGRY. Cooking pasta is pretty easy, it's still a little more than I want to do when I'm feeling hungry and/or burnt out to wait for the water to boil and have to wash the pot and colander when I'm done. What I really needed was something that could have the whole process done in under 15 minutes and that I could just toss in the dishwasher.
I'd seen this on Amazon for a while and was skeptical, but I finally decided it was something I needed to try for myself. I'm really amazed by what a game-changer it is, as well as how user-friendly it is. It comes with a booklet of instructions on how long to cook/how much pasta and water to use for all different shapes of pasta, plus there's an extended list on the product's website. All you have to do is measure out the pasta and fill the tub with water to the appropriate fill line, then microwave it on high for the noted amount of time. When it's done, you pop on the lid, which has convenient handles.
The lid also has a built-in strainer, which is perfect for both helping you fill the Fasta Pasta with a precise amount of water and for straining once the pasta is cooked. Sometimes you may also want to break out a colander to dry your noodles more fully, but the lid can handle most of the job. Then voila! You've got pasta! And you can just pop the gadget on the top rack of your dishwasher so it's ready for another day of deliciousness. Honestly, anything that gets me to cook pasta on a weeknight is a big time win. Will I ever use my stove again? Who knows." —Katy Herman
Get it on Amazon for $15.99.
"My Nest Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector is legit the best home purchase I’ve ever made. It has an industrial-grade smoke sensor, works with your phone, connects to your Wi-Fi, will test itself automatically, lasts up to 10 years, alerts your smartphone of any activity it senses, can be programmed based on the room it’s in (and work alongside any additional Nest detectors in the house), and sends you monthly digests of what has occurred. Before any annoying beeping alarms begin to sound a really lovely lady makes herself heard and says, “Heads up! There is smoke in the hallway. The alarm will sound; the alarm is loud.”
If the smoke is just coming from your lack of culinary skills, you can hush it from your phone so that it turns itself off. Meaning YOU NEVER HAVE TO STAND ON A CHAIR FANNING A SMOKE DETECTOR AGAIN!!!! Hallelujah! This thing is a true game-changer. Seriously, it's the best money I’ve ever spent!" —Elena Garcia
Get it from Amazon for $119 (two versions available: one powered by batteries, and one you can directly wire into your house, if you're set up for that.)
"If you, like me, have a soft spot for old school photo albums, you know that there's something about scrolling through old images on Instagram or Facebook that doesn't quite fill you with that same sense of warmth the way flipping through paper photos does.
That's where this printer comes into play: It's compatible with iOS and Android, and prints photos directly from your phone's camera roll. (It can also print from your iPad, USB stick, and digital camera.) Once you've set up the printer with the photo cartridge and paper, which is super easy, all do is download the free app. Plug your phone, then via the app choose what you'd like to print, and watch it do its magic. The photo passes through four times, laying down different colors, until the image is compete. I was seriously impressed with the quality!
The printer comes with a cartridge and 10 sheets of paper; you can get 40-, 80-, or 120-pack refills. At $19.99 for a 40-pack through $46.99 for a 120-pack, you're basically paying 40 to 50 cents per photo, which isn't too shabby for a professional-looking print. If you're in the market for quality photos you can print right at home, I highly recommend this fab little printer!" —Emmy Favilla
Get the printer on Amazon for $119.99.
"In college, I had microwave popcorn almost every night. Now that I've graduated and have a real job and apartment and am supposedly an 'adult,' I guess it's appropriate that I finally started to worry about whatever icky, unknown chemicals are in those microwave bags. But let's be real, he deliciousness and ease of microwave popcorn was still hard for me to pass up. I'm lazy.
So when I heard about the Colonel Popper, all my dreams came true. This is a super easy and cute (it's made of soft, BPA-free silicone, comes in bright colors, and is collapsible) microwaveable bowl that can pop good old fashioned plain kernels to perfection in about two minutes — really. You just pour in the kernels (there's a fill guideline on the inside that shows you how much) and add butter and salt to your heart's content. Then you throw it in the microwave for two or three minutes (stick around and listen to get a sense of when it's done popping) with the lid on, and voila — a perfect bowl of popcorn that you can eat right out of the popper itself. It's so delicious, you guys, and I feel much better eating it than corn from microwaveable bags. Then, just when you thought this couldn't be easier, you can simply put the popper on the top rack of the dishwasher to clean it or rinse it with some dish soap, so it's ready to be used again tomorrow. Because it definitely will be." —Katy Herman
Get it on Amazon for $15.87 (available in eight colors).
"Yes — you read that correctly! This pretty white bedding (which is HYPOALLERGENIC *and* CRUELTY-FREE!) is only $43. It sounds fancy because it is, people. Other comforters — specifically down ones — can be too poofy and cause me to bake during the night, but not with this! This comforter has an airy, lightweight quality, so you won't feel like you're drowning in heat. It also has loops in each corner, so it's easy to tie in a duvet during the colder months and keep it in place, or to just add some pizzazz.
It's machine-friendly making it easy to wash. I just wash on gentle in colder water, and tumble dry on low. I bought a striped cover ($55.99; available in queen/king and two colors) from Target (pictured above right) for the winter, and it adds just enough warmth to not freeze." —Kayla Suazo
Get it on Amazon for $34.51+ (available in sizes twin–king).