Once the idea was in my head, I couldn’t shake it because the older I become, the more I appreciate genuinely useful gifts. If you or someone you care about this holiday season tend to be the same way, I hope today’s gift guide will be right up your alley.
I filled it with gifts ideas that are practical and useful from food and kitchen items to household tech finds and more. Hopefully something will jump out at you! And if you happen to have a practical gift idea you love, please share it in the comments section because I’m always interested in hearing more about surprisingly useful items you never knew you needed.
Happy Holidays!
PBF Gift Guide: Practical Gifts You’ll Actually Use
During my last trip to Florida, I noticed my parents had several open cans in their fridge that were covered with these bright silicone covers. How often do you have half a can of something leftover after you make a recipe? I always seem to have a can of something open in my fridge — coconut milk, tomato sauce, pumpkin, etc. — and love the idea of simply popping one of these food huggers over the top of the can to preserve freshness. They work well over fresh food as well, so if someone you know is prone to using half an onion, half a lemon or lime, etc. this might be a welcomed gift, too!
Our family’s big Cyber Monday splurge this year was the Nest Learning Thermostat. Intrigued by the Nest’s promise to save energy, help our home run more efficiently and save money on heating and cooling bills, we’ve been eyeing a Nest thermostat for quite a while. We ended up buying two (one for upstairs and one for downstairs) and love them already! The Nest Learning Thermostat learns what temperature you like and is said to save people an average of 10% to 12% on heating bills and 15% on cooling bills, essentially paying for itself in less than two years.
Random? Yes. Appreciated? Most likely! If you haven’t heard of Quip, they make sleek electric toothbrushes and send you new brush heads every three months. (Dentists recommend replacing your brush head this often for a host of reasons including the prevention of bacteria buildup. Ick!) This is admittedly kind of a bizarre gift but I actually gave it to Ryan last year and he said he was surprised how much he ended up appreciating it since he doesn’t have to think about replacing his toothbrush anymore and loves the sleek, streamlined look of the Quip toothbrush.
One of the biggest perks: It doesn’t have a bulky mounting station and comes with a sleek mount you can attach to your bathroom mirror or shower so it doesn’t take up any counter space. (To be honest, that was actually one of the biggest motivators I had for switching out our previous electric toothbrushes to Quip electric toothbrushes.) Woohoo for no clutter! If this is on your radar, you can use my referral code — julie905517543248 — and we’ll both get a free $5 brush head refill!
Admittedly a bit of a novelty item, this O Key Ring is great for those who struggle to find their keys at the bottom of their bags. Available in a myriad of colors, it’s eye catching as well as functional since it frees up your hands and can be worn around your wrist! I actually have this one on my Christmas list in Rose Gold.
I am head over heels in love with my Dyson cordless vacuum. I credit this thing for making me vacuum 10,000 times more often than I used to because it’s just so darn easy to pull out of the closet and run around our house without worrying about a big, heavy vacuum and an annoying cord. I use it multiple times a week (sometimes daily — #momlife) and it’s proven to be worth every penny.
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Grocery Delivery Membership
I think this would be the ultimate gift for new parents! I fell head over heels in love with Instacart after Ryder was born and have lost count of just how many Instacart deliveries I’ve had come to our home since his arrival. There are a number of delivery services out there (Shipt, Instacart, Amazon Fresh, etc.) so definitely check them out before purchasing a membership for a loved one to make sure their favorite stores are included in the delivery.
This handy little kitchen tool was included in a previous gift guide a few years ago for good reason. It’s the best at removing bits of food from pots and pans that seem like they’ll be stuck on your kitchenware forever! It’s also handy at scraping food off stove tops and counter tops (and stickers off picture frames!) and is gentle enough that it never leaves a scratch. It’s $3.50 on Amazon and a great stocking stuffer.
While many people out there have large green bags for groceries by now, I feel like produce green bags are not nearly as popular. I have a bunch of them and love them as a green alternative to plastic bags when I’m shopping for produce during trips to the grocery store.
Additional Practical Gift Ideas
Smartphone UV Sanitizer (For those who get the heebie jeebies thinking about all the germs on our phones)
Easy Egg Peeler (Great for anyone who loves hard boiled eggs, egg salad, deviled eggs, etc.)
Eclipse Charger (For clutter-free charging)
Small Cutting Board (Surprisingly handy, especially if you’re constantly cutting up fruits and veggies for snacks)
Refillable Glass Soap Dispenser
Care/of Vitamins (Personalized daily vitamin packets)
Dryer Balls (Game changer for anyone who doesn’t already use these in the dryer)
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Disclaimer: This blog post is not sponsored and companies may not pay to have a certain product included. The items featured are simply items I think would make fabulous gifts. Some affiliate links are included and, as always, I truly appreciate your support.
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I’ve had an O key ring for two years (it was the must-have thing when I lived in dallas) and could never not have one. They’re the best! So is this gift guide 🙂 nabbing a few from amazon right now, thanks Julie!
It looks awesome! My mom has one and loves it which is what inspires me to add it to my wish list, too!
Great choices! I definitely agree with you about the Dyson vaccum! Though I don’t own one myself, I’ve used one at friends’ houses and it is definitely incredible! It makes cleaning so much easier and is pretty much effortless to use!
I have a small collapsable colander that has a removable base. AMAZING for prepping foods for my boys (ages 3 and 1). I love that it has the removable base too because you can let fruits and veggies sit and soak for a few minutes and then take the base off, drain it, and then throw it back on and take it to the table. I use this daily.
https://www.amazon.com/Prepworks-Progressive-Collapsible-Colander-Removable/dp/B00EZQQJ78/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1544534054&sr=8-4&keywords=small+red+collapsible+colander
Great list! For dog owners out there, I’m obsessed with this $5 poop bag holder (http://a.co/d/ghv9Y1H), for used poop bags when you are on a walk and don’t want to hold it. I also recently got a really nice shower cap to help extend my hair life between washings :D, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KI0X0I6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1.
We’ve been considering the Nest in our home. Glad to hear you guys seem to like it!
I ordered some stuff! Thanks so much! I know how much time this takes to put together. I have three children that all have spouses and I have doubled my grandbabies from two to four in one year! It’s been busy! I’ve been banging my head against the wall wanting to get them things that they will actually use!!
Love your blog and your very sweet personality that shines through! I hope that you an all of your family have a blessed and magical Christmas!
I would warn your readers to double check that their HVAC system is compatible with the Nest before purchasing. I actually won a Nest a couple years ago and we LOVED it in our home and definitely saved money on our bills. However, when we moved to our current house, we learned it’s not compatible with our system (we have too many wires/zones I guess) and would have to pay a professional to come install it properly. We haven’t caved yet, but are certainly considering doing so! Thanks for such a great list! now to convince my husband I need a cordless vacuum when ours works perfectly fine 🙂
Love this list! I would be careful with refrigerating open cans– sometimes the food inside can react with aluminum differently once exposed to air– especially tomato products!!
100% yes to lil’ chizler! I got it a while ago on your recommendation. I can’t think of a better use for $3.50.
Isn’t it fabulous!? I feel kind of ridiculous raving about that thing but it’s SO handy!!
I also purchased one on your recommendation and we use ALL THE TIME! It’s one of my favorite kitchen gadgets!
I also bought this before because of your recommendation! It’s so handy and great for cleaning pots and pans! Recently I was so happy that I remembered I had it because there were two obnoxious stickers that were next to impossible to remove from a high chair that we recently got, and this thing saved the day!!
Great list Julie!!! I pulled the trigger on the Dyson on Cyber Monday and am so glad I did!
Hey I wanted to order the toothbrush and your code said it is no longer valid! 🙁 still ordering though
Oh bummer! I’ve had a handful of emails coming through that make it look like it was working earlier today. It doesn’t look like it should be limited to a certain number of people according to the website so I’m not sure what’s up!
Yes!!! The Dyson cordless vacuum is life changing. My husband and I are always busting it out to clean up after our kids and because it’s so easy to use, I’ll get it out anytime I see anything it can pick up! It’s one of the best things we’ve ever got. We have two nests and LOVE them. It’s so nice to be able to adjust the thermostat from your phone or have Alexa do it!
I am all about the practical gifts. Love the food hugger idea and the smartphone sanitizer. Now I want to go clean my phone.
You are not supposed to leave cans in the fridge after use, it is even written on the cans! Always put what is left in a separate glass (or plastic) container. “Tin and iron can leak into the food, which makes it taste unpleasant and can have health effects.”
Hi Julie!
Thank you for the great list! Nabbing a few of these for stocking stuffers and I’ve been looking for a new toothbrush so this is perfect! I’m also having problems with the code that you posted, by chance could you send me a referral link? Thank you!
I so agree on the Dyson cordless! After having a Dyson ball for years, I was amazed at how much more frequently i’ll just whip out the cordless version. My husband after giving me a bit of grief about the price of one declared the no cord thing was “life changing”. 🙂
I purchased two of your practical gift ideas for multiple people; silicone food huggers and quip electric toothbrush. They truly are practical and affordable! Thank you for putting the list together to share with your readers!
Have you taken the quip toothbrush on airplanes and in your carry-on? I’m thinking it’d be a great gift for my husband who travels for work as it looks easy to pack.
Thanks!
Yes for practical all the way! I don’t want things that will clutter up my already small apartment! Since being a tired pregnant lady back in 2016/2017, having my daughter in 2017, and now having a toddler peapod has become such a lifesavor for groceries. I use it pretty often…especially when it’s cold and icy out and I don’t want to bring my daughter out in it! (or myself, lets be real)
Will have to check out those reusable produce bags…that’s one thing I still dont have!
Hi Julie,
How well does the Dyson cordless vacuum
work on carpet? Do you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home? Contemplating about which Dyson to buy!
Thanks!
Buying a NICE vacuum was the best thing we ever did for Christmas one year. Especially living with a dog, it makes vacuuming so much less of a chore and it is so satisfying when you suck up a clump of hair with ease and grace instead of cursing at a vacuum that weighs 94839 lbs!
Thank you! This has been my favorite gift guide yet! My dad is the guy who hates “stuff” so it’s always great to see things for him he could actually use.
you should NEVER store opened CANS! https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/07/why-you-shouldnt-store-open-tins-in-the-fridge/
I love the idea of the wall thermostat. I wish more of my house was fitted with smart devices. Pretty impossible when you rent.
Love this. I’m all about the practical. I actually asked Santa for a thermostat this year, lol.
Ashleigh | Ashleigh Renay