Sometimes it’s fun to buy someone a gift that is absolutely superfluous: just for fun ya know? But if I’m honest, my favorite kinds of gifts are the ones that are going to be actually useful in my day-to-day life. That doesn’t mean it has to be completely practical: buy me a milk frother so I can make morning lattes and that’s certainly useful but still luxurious. But there are times when getting just the right gadget for the job, even if it’s not fancy, is exactly what was on the list to Santa. If you’re on the lookout for some useful gifts, this list has you covered: everything from a high quality meat thermometer (I gifted this to my husband last year and he’s obsessed) to a reading light for bed. You never know: you might just find a few goodies for yourself too. Let’s go on a (practical) shopping spree!
This Works Wonders
This bug trap has over 10,000 positive reviews, so you know this gadget is really effective. It gives off light to attract the critters, then traps them with sticky glue boards. This review says it all: “Have a problem with pretty much any bug – seems to work best at night when it’s the only light in the room. I notice fruit flies like a white surface –at least that’s where mine seem to congregate, so I used some white-out to paint the fins white.”
Target Odors With UV
This Stain Sniper will most certainly help with making sure you don’t miss another stain again. With the flashlight, any urine that’s been left behind by your dog can be spotted, and dealt with! If you’ve ever had a pet who had accidents, you know that that smell lingers: no more! You’ll find every last vestige and your house will smell crispy clean.
Total Game Changer for Night Time Readers
One of the best changes I made in 2021 was switching out my phone for a book before I go to bed. So I was thrilled to find this book light, which offers three lighting modes. Amber lighting eliminates ninety-nine percent of harmful blue light, reducing eye strain and allowing for better sleep. White light is gentle and aids in better concentration, while natural daylight improves clarity, making them ideal for studying and working. One shopper wrote: “I absolutely love these lights! They are perfect for bed reading or anywhere you want a dimmer light than most lamps.”
Can It Up At Home
Store your pickles, jams, and more in these stylish mason jars. I love using mason jars to store products as soon as I’m in from grocery shopping. Simply chop vegetables like carrots, submerge them in water, and store them in the refrigerator for longer-lasting, fresher snacking. This is a more eco-friendly, rustic way to store food which is right on trend too.
Make Your Barista Jealous
Want to add a little something extra to your morning coffee? Then check out this milk frother! It works perfectly with any type: half-and-half, creamer, soy, almond, cashew, hazelnut, or whole milk. I particularly love gifting this one because it feels luxurious but also helps save money on going out for coffee.
Now There is No Excuse
If you share a home you will know all too well how often family members try to pretend that they haven’t noticed that the dishwasher is ready to be emptied. Well, with this magnet reversible clean or dirty sign, they can’t do that anymore. Flip the sign accordingly and watch as the workload is shared. Give it as a passive aggressive gift to someone you live with, or just snag it yourself.
All Natural Cure All Treatment
This Natural Remedy Balm is the cure-all for skin conditions, packed with tea tree, eucalyptus, and lavender essential oils for healing and antiseptic properties, it will calm rashes, redness, burns, and more. If you only have one balm in your bathroom cabinets, it should be this one.
Make Decorating A Dream
Hanging string lights has never been easier with these outdoor poles. Perfect for all weather due to the long and durable prongs, these poles can be installed with just two steps, letting you drape your lights and have all the family around for that holiday BBQ within minutes. This is a great gift for a new homeowner.
Keep It At 100%
We all know the horrors of our phone running out of battery while we’re away from the house. Save yourself that pain with this USB car charger adapter. Designed to minimize charging time while maximizing power output, it has two slots and is durable, long-lasting, and above all, powerful. Plug it right into your car and charge all compatible devices like your phone, tablet, watch, and more!
Snap N’ Strain
Here’s what I hate about traditional strainers: Not only do you have a dirty pan to clean, but now you have a dirty strainer to clean, too. This snap ‘n strain gadget clips onto an existing pot, pan or bowl, which minimizes the amount of cleanup you have to do. Its compact size is a bonus, too, because it won’t take up much room at all in your cabinets.
Microfibre is Superior
Hate mopping? You’re probably not going to love it any more if you buy this, but it’ll definitely make it quicker and easier. This microfiber floor cleaning system includes a mop and four reusable pads that’ll clean your surfaces from hardwood to stone to tile and more. These are designed to pick up dirt, dust, pet hair and other debris with a telescoping handle that extends up to 60 inches.
Pop-Up Power for Bright Light
I can think of so many uses for this collapsible camping lantern, maybe because I live in a hurricane zone. Whether or not you do too, these are a great addition to any camping or hiking gear or to shed light on a back patio or deck. Surprise! It’s not just a lantern, though, it also functions as a phone charger, flashlight and more. This is exactly what your outdoorsy friends need.
Trick is in the Wrist
This magnetic wristband is like having an assistant, but one who’s always paying attention. Ahem. Ten powerful magnets are inside this little guy, holding screws, nails, bolts, washers and drill bits with ease. The adjustable strap allows you to wear it comfortably and the mesh inner layer keeps everything breathable. This would be a great addition to a stocking for your favorite handyman or DIYer.
Fast Acting Formula
Foot odor is pretty common, but it doesn’t have to ruin your favorite pair of shoes! This Elite Sportz Shoe Deodorizer leaves both your feet and shoes smelling minty and fresh, and it’s made with totally natural peppermint and tea tree oil. If you have any athletes on your shopping list, just add this to their gift. They’ll thank you.
Maintain, Protect and Restore
If you want to keep your cutting boards, butcher blocks, or wooden countertops in the best shape, you’ll need this food grade mineral oil. It protects and restores wood and even steel surfaces, so you can use it on appliances, too. Maintenance is cheaper and easier than replacing, plus it makes the wood look absolutely gorgeous.
Completely Customizable Fitness
I canceled my gym membership a while back because I was too lazy to drive the 20 minutes there, but I still wanted a way to keep fit. Instead of investing in a bunch of expensive machines that we didn’t have the budget or space for, I got these bodyweight exercise cards that help me get a great workout anywhere. These are an awesome stocking stuffer for anyone who’s got fitness goals in the new year.
Find Out Why This is A Best Seller
When it comes to cooking meat, you definitely want to make sure it’s the right temperature so you don’t get sick (ask me how I know). Unfortunately, a lot of ovens are not as accurate as you’d want them to be. This best-selling meat thermometer is a highly accurate way to test your food, and it includes safe cooking temps right on the front so you won’t have to ask the Google. And it’s super fast – it’ll tell the temp in just three seconds! The perfect stocking stuffer for a cook.
This is Indispensable
I take my puppy for a walk multiple times per day, and I like to have my phone on me always. The problem is, I live in leggings and not all of them have pockets! This cell phone lanyard lets me keep my phone close hands-free whether I’m exercising or just around the house. Grab one for all your friends and you can match when you go out.
Cutest Way to Fight Pain
Great for kids, or just the young at heart, these little monsters are reusable gel bead packs perfect for hot or cold therapy. The convenient size means they can be used anywhere including the face to relieve sinus pressure, toothache, and headaches. Not only that, but you won’t have to worry about little ones, as they’re made from high-quality materials and totally non-toxic. Then again I just bought them for myself because they’re so cute.
Finally The Solution
Sizing rings is such an irritating process, and it’s surprisingly expensive too. Skip the whole business with these plastic ring adjusters. They come in a pack of ten and can be bent to fit any sized finger. All you have to do is adjust the Ringo to your desired fit and attach it effortlessly to your ring. The best part is it won’t scratch or damage your ring while in use.
Pack Up and Go
Not only does this storage case fold up to give you more trunk space, but when unfolded, it holds loads of essentials, which you can separate into two separate main areas and four mesh pockets. It’s always a good idea to have an extra bag in the car, but it’s also perfect for big trips.
Get This Handy Three Piece
When you’re making meals that require separate cutting boards for meat and veg, this comes in super handy. This set comes with easy-grip handles and is dishwasher safe, so it cuts down on the hassle of washing up. One shopper wrote: “I love these cutting boards. The boards are of high quality and last a long time. I do like to replace my cutting boards due to germs, so the price point of these is perfect for that.”
This Totally Saved My Hair
If you’re anything like me, your hair is super prone to kinks and breakage. You put it in a ponytail and suddenly you have a ring of split ends. Enter these silk scrunchies. Seriously amazing; they hold up any amount of hair without putting strain on my luscious locks. My hair loves it and I promise you will too. Not to mention, they are pink and super cute. Gift them to all your long-haired besties and you’ll all be #squadgoals.
Get The Sleep of Your Dreams
Investing in a high-quality pillow is so worth it for the great night’s sleep and farewell to neck and back pain. Seriously though, if you haven’t experienced real support while you sleep, you are missing out. This pillow will convert you.
The reviews say: “I love this pillow. Best one I have ever owned. I normally toss and turn all night, I don’t think I’ve moved much since I started using the pillow, it’s absolutely wonderful.”
Brace It
We’re all getting older, and as we do our bodies are just not holding up the way they used to. This TheraPaq does wonders for supporting an injured or weak knee, and is a great gift for anyone who’s active but needs a little extra support.
The reviews say: “This ice pack is the only thing I’ve found to alleviate the pain. Thanks to whoever made this design. Easy on and off.”
Transform Your Bedroom
A bed skirt is one of those things that’s not a total necessity but your home looks so much better if you have one. Especially if you use that precious under bed space as storage, a skirt lets you hide it away. This one comes in a range of sizes and colors, so you can match it to anyone’s decor.
Comfort for Your Fur Baby
Until we got our puppy last winter, I had no idea how much loose hair those furry friends generate around the house. Since vacuuming isn’t my favorite pastime, I decided to get this pet rake that cleans up fur before it sheds since it removes loose and excess hair. I’ve definitely noticed a decrease in the time I spend cleaning and the amount of puppy hair I find at home! Gift one to your friends to reduce their vacuuming time: I promise they’ll love you for it.
Stick and Slide On Any Surface
Do you know what every parent wants? More ways to show off and share about their kids. It’s just a fact of life: parents think their kids are the best. Gift them these these fridge magnet clips and they’ll turn the fridge into an art gallery. Rust-resistant and strong, these fridge magnets will hold their grip even when knocked, meaning you don’t need to worry about anything falling down.
Make A Statement
For anyone who loves to entertain, having a stylish set of salt and pepper shakers is a quick way to class up the table. With a modern and sleek design, this stainless steel salt and pepper grinder set is the perfect option for a small gift to your classiest friends. Non-corrosive and non-flavor absorbing, these grinders have their grinding mechanism on the top to make it easier to use.
It’s Time to Glow
For all the artists out there, these glow in the dark neon paints are a must have. They work on nearly any surface, can be seen during the day and will glow-in-the-dark at night. One customer wrote: “Very bright under black light. Transformed an old halloween skeleton to a vibrant joy. Before and after photos. Easy cleanup in water. Avoid getting on cloths.”
Cutting Edge of Charging
No more searching around the house for cell phones and tablets. Keep them all in one place while charging with this multi-device charging station. It’s a great optionfor home or the office. Each device fits neatly in its own secure slot and is charged via a short cable connected to a charging port. Gift it to the tech-head in your life.
Adorable and Durable For Kids
These headphones are just $30 but they’re the perfect gift for a kid in your life. They have a limited volume for your kid’s protection and they come in a variety of colors including pink, purple, green, and blue! Here’s what 1 Amazon shopper said: “Love, love, love these headphones for my kids!”.
Master The Art of Grooming
My partner has a short beard, so he trims it pretty often. Of course, that also means I get to find little hair trimmings all over the bathroom. Enter, the beard bib. It may seem like a novelty, but it seriously will save anyone’s relationship. So, it’s really a gift to the bearded person and their significant other. Plus it just makes it easier for them to clean up anyway. Just shake it out in the trash and they’re done. No bathroom mess.
Customize Your Dream Wall
This is seriously the easiest way to completely change the look of a whole room. Just roll out this blackboard paper onto any wall, and you’ll instantly have a convenient blackboard where you can write notes, grocery lists (I stuck mine in my pantry), or even just doodle to your heart’s content. It’s made from durable, reusable vinyl, and you also get five sticks of colored chalk with each order.
For Easy Access
If you’re like me, your car is basically what it would look like if a closet and a trash can had a baby and then it exploded. But it doesn’t have to be that way: it is possible to keep a car organized. This car cache goes a long way towards that goal: it gives you a neat and easy to access pocket for your purse or anything else you want right at hand.
Pure Relief
Have you experienced the joys of a heating pad? It’s about time you treated yourself. This extra large pad heads up fast and gives you major relief for aches and pains, plus it’s perfect if you’re dealing with cold winter weather. You might have to give one to your significant other though because otherwise you’ll be fighting over it.
No More Junk Drawers
I can’t be the only person who thinks that storing batteries is more or less impossible. But apparently it’s a problem that can be solved, with this wildly cool looking battery organizer. Not only does it keep everything neatly stored, it also has a battery tester so you know when you’re trying to use a dead battery.