38 Useful Gifts That Won’t End Up In The Junk Drawer
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We all mean well when we buy gifts, but we get it wrong far more often than we’d like. We’d love for every gift we give to be used regularly and always appreciated by the recipient. This year, make that dream a reality! Say goodbye to gifts that end up in the junk drawer with our curated selection of 38 useful gifts that are designed to enhance the daily life of everyone on your holiday list. These practical yet thoughtful presents are bound to be appreciated by your loved ones.
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Dad’s New Favorite Tool
This genius universal socket is a genius buy for your dad this holiday season! It’s literally universal, which means he can use it for just about anything he can think of. It fits right to the end of his trusty, go-to drill and allows him to get some serious work done. Or whatever kind of work it is that dads do.
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Headphones They’ll Actually Like
It’s not easy to buy headphones for folks because you never know what’s going to fit them well and what they’re actually going to like. Luckily, Beats Studio Buds has received rave reviews, especially about their great fit, making these a safe bet for anyone on your list that could use some new headphones.
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They’ll Use These Glasses All the Time
If they don’t already have a pair of bluelight blocking glasses, it’s time that they get some! Gift them something that they’re going to use and keep using every day when they sit down to get work done. It’ll help prevent eye strain and can even help prevent those screen-induced headaches.
The Perfect Gift for Your Forgetful Mom
Or your forgetful dad! This Tile Mate is going to help your forgetful parents find right where they left their keys or help them get back to the store that they forgot their purse in. It’s a great way to help them keep track of all the important stuff they’ve got on them.
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Rambler On
This YETI Rambler is a great gift for pretty much anyone on your list. Whether you’re looking to create a gift basket and want to include it, or you need a nice gift that’s not too big, this vacuum-insulated, stainless steel travel mug from YETI is a great option. It’s designed to keep those drinks warm or cold all day long.
Feed the Meater
If you’ve got someone on your list who loves to grill, you’ve got to get your hands on the Meater Plus! When they’ve got this smart thermometer, they don’t have to worry about standing over the hot grill for hours at a time, they can actually enjoy the game or spend time with the family while their cuts cook.
Treat Your Frequent Flyer
No one likes those annoying headphones that flight attendants pass out at the beginning of your trip. They don’t fit right, and when you do finally get them in your ears, they don’t sound great. Luckily, you can treat the frequent flyer in your life with this Bluetooth transmitter so they can enjoy their favorite headphones with their in-flight entertainment.
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A Perfectly Portable Speaker
There’s nothing more lightweight than this Sony speaker! The durable and waterproof speaker is a great option for that person on your list that loves to head out on long adventures and doesn’t want to lose out on bringing their favorite songs and entertainment with them.
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A Soft Light
Are you looking for a gift for someone on your list who works from home? We suggest the Logitech Litra Glow. It’s a premium LED light that mounts to a computer and gives them all the control they need to get the best lighting possible during all of those Zoom meetings that absolutely could have been an email.
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Are You Projecting?
With this powerful mini projector, you can turn pretty much any blank wall into a theatre screen. The portability of the projector makes it easy for the recipient to take it anywhere they go, which is a dream for those who travel often and like to get the most out of their movie nights.
Cool Down
If you’ve got a brother who spends a lot of time outside, working in the yard, this portable, bladeless neck fan is a must-have. It helps them to stay cool no matter how many hours of hard work they put in to get their landscape looking just right. It gives them 3-16 working hours, depending on the speed used.
The Writer on Your List Thanks You
Writing is great, but it can waste quite a bit of paper if you’re not careful. Luckily, with the Rocketbook, the writers on your list can cut down on the paper that they’re wasting without compromising on that old pen-to-paper feeling. They can even organize all of their scanned-in notes for easy searching!
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For Those That Travel
Lots of us spend far too much time riding around in our cars throughout the day, often eating in our cars. This frenchy fry holder fits down into the standard car cup holders to give the car riders on your list easy access to their fries and dip for safe driving and safe eating.
We’re All Couch Potatoes
We’re all guilty of being couch potatoes every once in a while, and if you’ve got someone on the list who makes “couch potato” their profession, this couch tray is a great buy! It’s the perfect place to set drinks, snacks, phones, and remotes in an easy-to-reach location that looks pretty stylish, too.
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A Speaker Full of Style
The JBL Clip 4 wasn’t just designed to deliver a fantastic sound that can be heard all throughout your house, campground, or RV. It was also designed with travel and style in mind. The waterproof and dust-resistant body offers color and charm that any teen on your list is going to fall in love with.
A Mobile Library
The Kindle Paperwhite means your library can go with you anywhere – from the beach to the mountains. Giving up paper is hard, but with a screen that’s designed to mimic the look of paper, it’s so much easier. It’s the sort of gift that’s going to make grandma feel seen and loved.
Pump Up the Volume
Getting a blow out is always a good time, but it’s definitely time-consuming and isn’t necessarily budget-friendly. Get your hands on this Revlon One Step Volumizer and give your hair the beautiful boost that you’ve been craving. If you’re really good at it, you can even add a curl to your hair, too.
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Keep It Charged
The best thing about Apple creating wireless charging is that they’ve also created MagSafe battery packs. That means you can enjoy hands- and cord-free charging no matter where you go. And with this charger, you can get a fast, full charge on your favorite Apple phone.
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Get Your Brew On
Just because your husband is camping, doesn’t mean he should have to sacrifice on his morning cup of joe! This year, gift him the Stanley Perfect Brew pour over set so he can enjoy his favorite morning brew no matter how many days he spends out there in the wild blue yonder.
Stay Safe
It’s not the most ideal holiday gift, but She’s Birdie is a great option for teenagers and new college students. It’s always a good idea to take steps to keep them safe, and this personal safety device emits harsh, loud sounds and bright, flashing lights to alert anyone out there to the need for help.
Just You Watch
Keep track of it all with your Apple Watch. It’s tempting to get it for yourself, but there’s at least one person on your list that you know is going to be obsessed with this. With the improved features and the new crash detection and cycle tracking, this genius gadget is a must-buy this holiday season.
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Work Those Muscles
The TheraGun Mini means you can start recovering post-workout far faster and far more effectively. It fits perfectly into your gym bag or your purse, giving you instant relief for your sore and aching muscles. It’s a great buy for the gym rats and yogis alike on your list.
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Shake And Go
Whether you’ve got someone on your list who’s obsessed with working out or someone who’s obsessed with smoothies, this Hamilton Beach portable blender is going to win you some holiday points. This is easy to use and can be used on the go for quick pre- and post-workout smoothies or just for funsies.
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Rid Yourself of Odor
These deodorizing balls might not be the most glamorous gift, but they’re definitely a brilliant one! Especially if you’ve got some stinky teens in your house. Stuff these in their stocking so they really get the message – that it’s time to start getting rid of that lingering foot stink in their bedroom!
Bake Me a Cake As Fast As You Can
This set of piping bags and tips is a brilliant buy for someone in your life who loves baking and decorating cakes, cupcakes, or even cookies. It’s got everything from bags to tips that they need to get started and even to get into some of those more complicated designs that everyone loves.
Work It Out
Grab a set of resistance bands for someone on your list who’s been really interested in workouts lately. They’re a fun way to level up the workouts that they’re doing without requiring going to the gym or using any weights that are annoying to deal with and take up so much space in your home.
Stay Toasty
You’ve got at least one person on your list who loves sports, and that means you’ve got at least one person who enjoys sitting in a stadium during those chilly winter days. These rechargeable hand warmers fit down into pockets and purses to keep that special someone’s digits toasty and warm no matter the weather.
A Must-Have for College Students
You’ve got at least one college student on your list that’s going to be obsessed with this electric cooker. It’s designed to cook up all of the delicious soups and ramens without involving a stove or an open flame, making it ideal for tiny dorm rooms and all the space they… lack.
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It’s a Smart Home
The Kasa Smart plug means you can turn your electronics on or off from anywhere you are, even if you’re out of the country, as well as set schedules and routines, all with the handy Kasa app. It even supports voice control with your Alexa or Google Assitant.
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A Better Way to Sleep
Some of us enjoy sleeping with headphones on, and those of us who do understand how painful those headphones can be. Luckily, anyone on your list who’s annoyed by sleeping with those annoying headphones on will appreciate the heck out of this sleep headband that offers high-quality Bluetooth listening.
Take a Sip
Your best friend can use the Original SipCaddy to keep her wine right where it belongs while she’s taking a bath. Or your brother can keep his beer within reach while he’s showering because who doesn’t love a shower beer? It’s a super affordable buy that’s going to make some folks on your list very happy.
For Your Couple Friends
Everyone has at least one couple in their friend group, and it’s always so much easier to buy them a joint gift. These scratch-off date night cards are a brilliant way to share the love with that couple and help bring them together just a little bit more, which is always a great holiday gift.
Listen Up
Sure, your sister might have a fantastic TV, but she still insists on watching her favorite movies and shows on her phone for some reason. With this cell phone stand equipped with a powerful speaker, she can enjoy all of that streaming without having to strain to hear what’s going on.
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Learn More About Your History
Gift this 23andMe+ membership bundle to your mom this holiday season. She won’t just be learning about her history, and genetics; you’ll be learning about yours as well. It’s a great buy for the mom who’s obsessed with learning all about her genes and her family’s history.
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It’s Soothing
This white noise machine is a genius option for the new parents on your list or for anyone in your life who’s not getting enough sleep these days. It helps to soothe the recipient into a relaxed sleep, no matter what’s going on around them or how hard they usually find it to make it into dreamland.
A Better View
This handy reading light folds up tight to pack away into a travel bag or a purse, so reading can happen anywhere, anytime. It has three lighting colors and offers five powerful brightness levels so that whoever gets this great gift is able to get the clearest and brightest views of their favorite novels.
A Little Warmth
A heating pad isn’t the most glam of gifts, but it’s definitely a practical gift, and one that lots more people on your list would be thrilled to recieve than you’d expect. This floral pad conforms to the curves of all sorts of bodies to offer the best soothing heat possible for quick pain relief.
The Cutest Wine Opener
You can’t go wrong with a wine opener! It’s one of those things that’s always useful to have on hand, and one can never have too many of. But what’s even better than a wine opener? One that’s also wildly adorable, like this batty little opener from the makers of the best novelty kitchen products, OTOTO.
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