27 Practical Gifts Your Friends and Family Really Want (But Won’t Think to Ask For)

While sparkly seasonal presents are certainly magical, why give (and gift!) something that won’t lose its shine once the holidays end? The brightest ideas are also the best practical gifts—items one might have put on their wishlist but haven’t yet pulled the trigger. Perhaps it wasn’t the right time, or life’s distractions got in the way but now is an ideal opportunity to revisit those most-wanted and relatively useful items.

For the recipient who has taken their nesting seriously, go for something that will simplify or upgrade the home, like Philips smart light bulbs that connect with your Google Home or Molekule’s sleek and easy on the eyes room air purifier. There are also little items that will make a big impact when it comes to staying organized, say, Marie Kondo’s minimalist clothing hangers or Apple’s AirTags. Or maybe it’s Shinola’s actually aesthetically pleasing power cord port—it’s the only way those exposed wires could possibly look good. You could also help them turn their bed and bathroom setup into their very own hotel with a cozy set of towels, an extra set of crisp sheets, and hand soap worth the splurge; it’ll create a sweet setup perfect for hibernating at home all winter long.

Practical-leaning gifts can also be found in those items that make even the most mundane of chores fun. Consider Supernatural’s fresh scent and refillable cleaning sprays for around the house, Dyson’s expert cordless vac, and Hawkins New York’s set of cleaning essentials to beautify their dishwashing routines.

Finding ways to make life easier and more enjoyable on a daily basis is a gift in itself. Here, 27 more of the best practical gifts your friends and family will love, but might not think to ask for. Might we even suggest adding one to the cart for yourself?