Useful Gifts for All the Practical People On Your List

Sure, people like getting gifts. But there are people out there — and probably one or two on your list — who would rather not receive a gift at all than receive something that will end up in the dark recesses of a cabinet or closet collecting dust. For those folks, we present this gift guide of practical products and empirical items that can be put to good use.

Prices and availability are subject to change. 

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$20 from Amazon
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Anyone who drinks coffee, cocoa, tea, or any other beverage that tastes better warm will be happy to plug this in next to a work station if it means fewer trips to the kitchen.

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$49 from Mark & Graham

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There probably isn't a person alive who couldn't use some help with those cords, cables, and chargers that dominate our modern life. They can keep them all neatly organized with one of these leather cases. Available in 8 colors with optional monogramming.

$25 from Amazon
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Nearly everyone is spending more time in front of their computer screens these days. Help reduce their eye strain with a pair of these popular and highly rated Amazon blue-light-blocking glasses. They come in a few colors and styles.

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$89 from Amazon
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If you live with someone who's constantly fighting off a chill, this tiny, portable gadget will help them in their quest to stay warm.

$28 from Amazon
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Every work-from-homer needs an occasional change of scenery, and this adjustable laptop makes shifting from the desk or dining room table to the sofa that much simpler.

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$80 from Amazon

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This charger and accessory unit is wrapped in Belgian linen for a chic touch that fits right into a home or office. It features multi-coil, single-device wireless charging capability, and three coils allow for faster charging.

$65 from Amazon
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Is there any more functional gift than a chair? In this case, it's one for gamers that’s comfortable enough to settle in for long playing sessions and it's Amazon’s top seller. Translation: Usability high.

$15 and up from Amazon
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Plant lovers frequently have multiple misters — one for every room, even — so even if they're well-stocked in the mister department, one more will still get used. This vintage-style mister comes in eight transparent and matte glass color options.

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$25 on Amazon
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Got someone will stellar facial hair on your list? This kit includes beard wash, beard oil, and a bristle brush, and it comes with a beard-dude-approved 4.4-star rating.

$20 and from Chewy
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Know someone who hikes with their dog regularly? They'll love this all-in-one water bottle and bowl that'll guarantee their pup stays hydrated on hot and sunny treks. Available in five colors.

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$45 from Amazon
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If you know someone who enjoys taking photos, this mega-functional tripod/clamp combo won't go to waste. The GorillaPod's grippy legs can be manipulated in every which way, letting the user mount a camera nearly anywhere.

Related: The Best Gifts for Photographers from Newbies to Pros

$13 from Amazon
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If someone on your list identifies as a plant parent, this handy item can be used to test soil moisture, sunlight level, and pH value.

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$66 from Amazon

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This bundle of sustainable household products includes an all-purpose cleaner, wool dryer balls, silicone food savers, and compostable-yet-stylish Swedish dishcloths.

$17 and up from Amazon
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If the past year and half has been anything other than the pandemic and crazy news cycles, it's been the era of comfort. Let your loved one embrace this silver lining with a pair of these well-reviewed slip-on house shoes, which are lined with fleece but have rubber soles for good traction.

$30 from Amazon
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If the pragmatist in your life really likes breakfast, he or she can make breakfast sandwiches at home in just five minutes. The removable nonstick parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher.

$13 from Amazon
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Just because something is useful doesn't mean it can't be fun. This monkey vegetable peeler is a perfect example of that and it gets great reviews.

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$18 and up from Amazon
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If the recipient of your gift is a teenager, this is one that will be used for hydration and status symbol.

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$12 from Amazon
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Let them forget those old pencil tire-pressure gauges, which aren’t especially accurate anyway. Many sport a built-in LED light for easy viewing and some even come with carrying cases. This stocking stuffer is especially useful for a driver with an older car that lacks a built-in tire-pressure monitor — remember, properly inflating tires extends tread life and helps with gas mileage.

$99 from Our Place

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Noone can argue with a pan that is "designed to replace 8 traditional pieces of cookware." With a sturdy aluminum body and handsome ceramic coating — available in 10 colors — it's sure to win over the pragmatist in your life.

$38 from Harding Lane
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Baseball hats get used, especially when they're high quality, have a cool design, and will last a long time. These needlepoint-logo hats are all that and more, and they're available in nearly five dozen designs, including athletic and nature themes and the U.S. flag.

$105 from Amazon
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This multitool includes 18 tools in total, including screwdrivers, scissors, a saw, wire cutters, and more. Will it get used? Yes, and probably in a multitude of ways. Order direct from Leatherman and you can have it personalized.

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$119 and up from InvisaWear
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Jewelry, when loved, will always get used, but a piece of jewelry or an accessory with life-saving technology? Now that's functionality. InvisaWear's bracelets, scrunchies, necklaces, keychains, and other pieces feature a built-in panic button that will initiate an S.O.S and send an alert to ADT. ADT’s professional 24/7 monitoring services can notify emergency contacts, alert authorities, and share their location to get them the help they need.

$79 from Amazon
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These slim, attractive, long-lasting bifold wallets are made of top-grain leather, are available in seven colors, and come with a three-year guarantee.

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$168 from Madewell
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An attractive and roomy tote in sumptuous leather with the option for a classic monogram in 10 colors? Yep, this one will be used and used proudly.

$6 from Amazon
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Cellphones are basicall petri dishes because we are always touching them. With this UV-light sanitizer, they can zap those invisible germs into oblivion. It's rechargeable and collapses for travel.

$13 from Amazon
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Bottle openers are useful tools anyway, but this German-made one adds extra functionality because it can also reseal a cap and open a twist-off topper.

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$50 and up from Amazon

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The pandemic has made a lot of people re-evaluate the way they live, particularly when it comes to health. Not surprisingly, demand for home air purifiers has skyrocketed this year. There are numerous models available; Blueair's air purifiers get some of the best reviews from professional testers like Wirecutter and consumers alike.

$29 from Amazon
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Winter weather means dry skin, so a gift of these French-made, well-reviewed hand creams — available in seven options — will be a welcome gift.

$150 from Best Buy

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The brand behind the original line of multitasking multicookers just released this new Instant Pot that trumps all others. Why? When connected to the Instant Brands Connect app, home chefs can access a library of more than 1,500 smart recipes. Once a recipe is chosen, the app acts like a sous chef, guiding you through each step of the Instant Pot cooking process until dinner is ready for the table. Other features include mobile monitoring, a delayed start time, and more.

$250 from Amazon
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If the loved one you're shopping for loves the outdoors, this Yeti cooler, which holds up to a dozen cans and 15 pound of ice, can be used for camping, fishing, picnics, and more. It’s available in more than a dozen colors.

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$119 from Decomposition
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With everyone working and schooling from home these days, unclaimed notebooks can be hard to come by. But a dozen of these — in colorful, cool, and interesting nature-themed designs — guarantee that your recipients will be armed with note-taking resources for quite some time.

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$75 from Amazon
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It gets consistently great reviews, is easy to operate, and — with its stainless steel exterior — looks great in any kitchen. This one will definitely be employed in the fight to stay awake and be productive on a daily basis.

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$61 and up from Amazon
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Comfortable pillows are always going to get plenty of use. These are hypoallergenic and loved by Amazon buyers.

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$88 from Uncommon Goods
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We have a tough time believing this bamboo bowl and cutting board set won't get used on the regular, especially if the recipient in question entertains often. On the plus side, when not in use, it folds into quite a small footprint, meaning it won't take up a lot of space in the kitchen cabinets.

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$35 from Amazon
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Just because we're doing more of our cocktail hours at home doesn't mean we can't do them in style. Buy these for your favorite COVID-bubble peeps, then invite yourself over to help them get used. Available in tumbler and martini styles.

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$150 from Amazon
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These Jabra earbuds are sweatproof, stay put, sound great, and buyers report they are also easy to use. They deliver more than eight hours on a full charge and are available in a handful of styles.

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$15 from Amazon
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Finally, a measuring cup that gets everything out, without the need to reach for a spatula or spoon. To use, simply twist the bottom of the cup and dispense your ingredient into the bowl. The magic is a silicone disk that acts like a plunger. The gadget is fully adjustable, can hold up to 2 cups, and can be cleaned in your dishwasher.

Related: Kitchen Gifts They'll Actually Use

$180 from Authenticity50
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Made from California-grown Supima cotton, Authenticity50's plush bath towels are also stitched in the U.S.A. And, at 62-by-30 inches, they're also bigger than a standard towel for spa-like luxury.

$94 and up from Amazon

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At some point, just about everyone needs a set of knives, and this one comes with a chef's knife, two bread knives, a carving knife, two Santoku knives, utility and paring knives, and eight steak knives. The set also includes a sharpening tool and comes in a few color choices.

$54 from Amazon

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This cordless handheld massager helps those with pain in their back, shoulders, neck, and more. Comes with six different massage heads and a lifetime warranty. Offers two hours of massage time on a single charge and can be recharged in around one hour.

$78 from Amazon

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This gadget can turn a six- or eight-quart InstaPot into an air fryer — and save the precious counter and cabinet space. The kit includes the lid, a mesh frying basket, steam rack, silicone mat, tongs, cookbook, and more.