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Hey! While we try to keep our posts updated as much as we can, this post is actually from 2017, so we can't guarantee that the pricing and/or availability of the products featured are accurate. Check out the 2018 version of this post for our most up-to-date practical gift recommendations!
Because God has a sense of humor, I — a person who just loves stuff, and whose love language is gifts — am surrounded by a lot of practical people who just don't, like, care about presents. (?????) I used to find this frustrating, but over time I've found ways to give them gifts that surprise and delight them.
Here are some of my faves:
This one comes in three colors, and has good reviews and an A on Fakespot.
Get it on Amazon for $29.39.
2. A well-designed mug in their favorite color.
I love, love, love Joco mugs. They come in 24 colors and three different sizes (I'm partial to the 12-ounce one) and are practical and beautiful. It's also a great gift for people you don't know well (like, say, a sibling's girlfriend) and/or your kid's teachers.
Get the red one on Amazon for $26.95, and browse more colors and sizes here.
3. A nice lunch box.
This one has great reviews and an A on Fakespot, and my BFF swears by it.
Get it on Amazon for $39.95.
5. An electric kettle.
I didn't grow up in an electric kettle family, so for a long time I didn't really get them. But now I know that there are so many situations in which quick access to hot water is incredibly useful.
Get it on Amazon for $24.16. And if you're up for spending more for one that's higher quality/will last them longer, go for the Cuisinart — $79.96 on Amazon.
6. An umbrella that won't fail on them.
More than 4,000 Amazon customers approve of this lil' one. (So do my friends and I!)
Get it on Amazon for $23.95.
7. A squatty potty.
8. And while we're on the topic of butt stuff, a bidet isn't a bad idea.
I mean, know your audience, but...I'm just saying.
Get this one (a bestseller!) on Amazon for $34.99.
9. Just a bunch of batteries.
I know it doesn't sound sexy, but after seeing the look of joy and appreciation on my uncle's face every year when he opened a new box of batteries from my mom, I firmly believe that this might be the greatest gift ever.
Get them all on Amazon — a 48-pack of AA for $12.49, a 36-pack of AAA for $8.99, a 12-pack of D for $10.92, and an 8-pack of 9-volt for $9.99.
10. A grocery bag organizer.
Get it on Amazon for $14.97.
11. A new pillow.
Because sometimes practical people forget to treat themselves to nice new things!
Get this one on Amazon for $49.99.
12. A high-quality ice-scraper.
Anyone who drives in a snowy climate knows that scraping your car is a terrible task; having a tool that gets the job done better than others is actually incredibly useful. (I bought this one for my hard-to-shop-for grandma in 2015. It also pairs nicely with the electric car blanket.)
Get it on Amazon for $24.99.
13. Reusable bags for shopping for and/or storing produce.
14. A portable phone charger.
This one has 13,000+ positive reviews (and a B on Fakespot), and it can charge an iPhone 5.5 times on a single charge.
Get it on Amazon in white or black for $31.99.
15. A clothing steamer.
Everyone I know who owns a handheld steamer says it's a game changer!
Get it on Amazon for $21.99.
16. A versatile pushcart.
This one has a cover (in case you don't want the items in it to be seen/get wet/get swiped) and folds down for easy storage.
Get it on Amazon for $64.95.
17. A lil' butter saver or a big-ass butter dish.
18. A hot water bottle.
It's a classic for a reason!
Get it on Amazon in five colors for $19–$22.50.
19. A pair of cushy knee pads.
20. A pack of razor blades.
As anyone who removes any sort of body hair knows, these things are hella expensive.
Get a pack of 12 on Amazon for $33.97.
21. A new shower cap.
It's not cheap but as someone who wears a shower cap for most showers, I can tell you that it's incredibly practical and worth every penny.
Available in six colors/patterns; get it for $43 on Sephora or Bloomingdale's.
22. An incredibly practical book.
I *told* you this book would be on every gift guide I write this year! Read why I love it so much here.
Get it on Amazon for $14.55, Barnes & Noble for $16.68, or from your favorite local bookseller on IndieBound.
23. And a roll of quarters.
Put one in every stocking you stuff, my friends.
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