This holiday season, we’ve found the gifts that feel great to get and even better to give. Shop our collection of editor-approved holiday gift guides here.
Practical holiday gifts conjure up images of unwrapping a pair of sad socks with an even-sadder frown. But let it be known: The sad sock is an anomaly, and we’re here to stick up for all the truly useful presents out there.
This list of aesthetically fulfilling, actually practical gifts is for all those loved ones who aren’t fans of decorative candles or another mug to add to an ever-growing collection. From cozy bedding accessories to kitchen goods, these will support your pragmatic giftee in their sensible endeavors. Keep clicking for suggestions from Refinery29 readers, anonymous shopping data on top-bought items, and professional editors.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Touchland Limited Edition Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Seasonal Trio Set
As one Virgo (me) might say, the best gift is avoiding getting sick, especially at the height of cold and flu season. This seasonal Touchland trio keeps things fun, festive, and free of germs.
Touchland Limited Edition Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Set, $, available at Sephora
Boll & Branch Turkish Ultra Plush Robe
We love the plushness of a fluffy hotel robe, so why not gift someone that same luxury for their home? Made with 100% organic cotton, this super soft style will make them feel like royalty for years to come.
Boll & Branch Turkish Ultra Plush Robe, $, available at Boll & Branch
Cricut EasyPress Mini
If your giftee loves crafting, they probably already have the Cricut EasyPress Mini on their wish list. This little machine is a game-changer, able to heat-transfer designs on everything from stuffed animals to T-shirts. Get ready for a whole lot of customized swag in the new year.
Cricut EasyPress Mini, $, available at Michaels
Lululemon Fast & Free Running Belt
Anyone who runs errands (so, all of us) will appreciate this handy running belt to stay hands-free while out and about. Made with Lululemon‘s sweat-wicking Nulux fabric, it’s lightweight, breathable, and the perfect size for necessities like keys, cards, and your phone.
Lululemon Fast and Free Running Belt, $, available at Lululemon
Beast Bundle: Glass
Making smoothies, soups, and juices has never been easier. The Tonal Bundle from Beast has everything your giftee needs, including a blender, a stainless steel bottle, a 500nL container, storage lids, a straw cap, and cleaning brushes.
Beast Health Bundle: Glass, $, available at Beast Health
Hoka Clifton 10
In the comfy shoe world, one practical sneaker brand currently reigns supreme: Hoka. Everything from the memory foam ankle collar to light & airy mesh construction, and maximal cushion makes these kicks a foot’s best friend (and an amazing buy for your sensible bestie).
Hoka Clifton 10, $, available at Zappos
FP Movement Quilted Carryall Bag
Free People‘s Quilted Carryall seems all fun and games (with its funky, puffy fabric), but don’t be fooled: This tote’s spacious interior, extra-cushy shoulder strap, and secure top-zip closure make it quite the practical purchase.
FP Movement Quilted Carryall Bag, $, available at Free People
La Bonne Brosse Large Brush No 3
While a bit pricey, this brush detangles hair, stimulates the scalp, and increases blood flow to the roots. They’ll be thanking you for years to come.
La Bonne Brosse Large Brush N03, $, available at Revolve
Merrell Coldpack 3 Thermo Moc Waterproof
Comfy, durable, and easy to style — the Merrell Thermo Moc is as sensible as it is fun.
Merrell Coldpack 3 Thermo Moc Waterproof, $, available at Zappos
Bearaby Cotton Weighted Blanket
No one really believes they need a weighted blanket until they try one and end up feeling so cozy and secure, they wonder how they ever slept without one. Made of buttery-soft organic cotton, this chunky-knit one is a stylish option that will help someone get some quality shut-eye.
Bearaby Cotton Weighted Blanket, $, available at Bearaby
Salt & Stone Mini Deodorant Discovery Set
How’s this for practical: Gift a friend the option to test out four of Salt & Stone’s beloved deodorants so that they can pick which one they like best before committing to a full-sized purchase.
Salt & Stone Mini Deodorant Discovery Set, $, available at Nordstrom
Lands’ End Dog Puffer Jacket
Some people only have eyes for their pets, so what could delight them more than a gift for their furry friend? This adorable puffer vest will look cute on any pup while keeping them warm on winter strolls.
Lands’ End Dog Puffer Vest, $, available at Lands’ End
DedCool Milk DedTergent
Sure, this pricey detergent looks incredibly gift-worthy — but hear us out: Can you truly put a price on elevating an everyday chore? They’ll thank you once their sheets, towels, shirts, socks, and underwear are softly cocooned in a fresh, delicious scent that puts Tide to shame. (One of our writers tried it, and they can confirm that it’s, indeed, heavenly).
DedCool Milk Dedtergent, $, available at Dedcool
Anthropologie Icon Juice Glass
A cutesy glass adorned with croissants is an easy way to infuse whimsy into your day-to-day life. If French pâtisseries don’t match your loved one’s style, try one of the 18 other adorable designs.
Anthropologie Icon Juice Glass, $, available at Anthropologie
Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Soap
Winter weather can be harsh on the skin, so treat your loved one to a luxurious goat milk soap, which hydrates and gently cleanses with a crisp, fresh scent.
Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Soap, $, available at Ulta Beauty
High Camp Flasks Engravable Parkside Flask
This customizable flask includes two detachable cups and can hold up to 750 mL (aka a whole bottle of wine). Bring it to campsites or outdoor hangs, and forget about the fuss and muss of things like corkscrews or cups.
High Camp Flasks Custom Engraved Parkside Flask, $, available at High Camp Flasks
Fluff Co Pillow & Comforter Kit
Even the most serious giftees need sleep — and who wouldn’t appreciate a brand-new comforter and pillow kit? Help your loved one crush those ZZZs with Fluff Co.’s bedding, which is made by the same manufacturer of hotel pillows, only without the markup.
Fluff Co. Pillow & Comforter Kit, $, available at Fluff Co.
AeroGarden Harvest Lite in Black
For the friend with a green thumb and not a lot of free outdoor space, this hydroponic garden will allow them to grow herbs, vegetables, or flowers inside their homes. All they’ll have to do is pop the seed pods in, add plant growth food from time to time, and turn the grow light on — boom, fresh produce they can use the next time you’re over for dinner.
AeroGarden Harvest Lite in Black, $, available at Amazon
Graza Glass Duo Gift Set
Fact: You can never have too much olive oil in your kitchen. Graza’s classic duo has been remagined in keepsake-worthy glass bottles that you can refill for years to come.
Graza “Glass Duo” Gift Set, $, available at Graza
Dieux Angel Eyes Reusable Eye Mask & Eye Serum Bundle
Your lucky giftee will be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with this reusable eye mask and eye serum bundle.
Dieux Angel Eyes: Reusable Eye Mask & Eye Serum Bundle, $, available at Dieux
Tushy Classic Bidet 3.0
Listen, everybody poops. Allow this aesthetically pleasing bidet to liven up the experience for your loved one. And if you want to go the extra mile, consider bundling it with the Tushy ottoman. It’s something your giftee will never know they needed until you gift it to them.
Tushy TUSHY Classic 3.0, $, available at Tushy
Williams-Sonoma Hold Everything Expandable Over The Sink Drying Rack
Chances are your sensible giftee is fairly orderly — this very clever over-the-sink drying rack will delight their clean-kitchen sensibilities.
Williams-Sonoma Hold Everything Expandable Over The Sink Drying Rack, $, available at Williams-Sonoma
Leatherology Slim Card Case
Treat your friend with a far-too-old ruggedly old card case to a new, beautifully crafted, full-grain leather one that can also be personalized. It’ll make them feel like a million bucks, regardless of what’s inside it.
Leatherology Slim Card Case, $, available at Leatherology
Brooklinen Marlow Pillow
Seeing as we’re supposed to be tossing our pillows out every one to two years, a gifted replacement seems to be a pretty practical move. Brooklinen’s customizable Marlow Pillow is filled with supportive memory foam, and fitted with a zipper that allows users to adjust its height. In short, this pillow is as crowd-pleasing as it gets.
Brooklinen Marlow Pillow, $, available at Brooklinen
Cadence Refillable Magnetic Capsules
For your sustainably minded giftees who are always on the go and in need of a convenient vessel to stash their self-care and toiletry essentials, there’s Cadence’s refillable containers crafted from recycled ocean plastic.
Cadence The Honeycomb (Set of 7), $, available at Cadence
Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow
Not everyone has the gift of falling asleep anywhere, and that’s why sleep aids were created. For your loved ones who are always on the go, this is the perfect gift so they can rest comfortably no matter the location.
Shop Ostrichpillow at Free People
OstrichPillow Go Neck Pillow, $, available at Free People
In Good Taste Wine Sampler
If they’re into wine, gift them a virtual at-home tasting with In Good Taste’s six-bottle samplers thoughtfully sourced from small-batch wineries across the globe.
Shop In Good Taste
In Good Taste California Wine Mixer, $, available at In Good Taste
Anthropologie Bouclé Scarf
A scarf is a classic holiday gift for a reason: Your loved one is bound to reach for it at some point every winter. Especially if it’s as simple, chic, and cozy as Anthropologie’s bouclé buy.
Shop Anthropologie
Anthropologie Bouclé Scarf, $, available at Anthropologie
Our Place Always Pan
It doesn’t get more useful than this chic, eight-in-one pan from sustainable-cookware favorite Our Place. The magical do-it-all piece is nontoxic and incredibly nonstick, and it comes washed in an array of unique kitchen hues your giftee likely won’t find elsewhere.
Shop Our Place
Our Place Essential Always Cooking Pan, $, available at Our Place
Minted Leafy Letter
For the earnest loved one who sends their heartfelt hellos and sentimental thank-yous to your mailbox, not your inbox, this personalized stationery is sure to be a hit.
Shop Minted
Minted leafy letter, $, available at Minted
Airbnb Customizable Gift Card
Practical people are also usually big planners, too — so, it only makes sense that gifting one with the ability to book lodgings of their choosing on an upcoming trip would be pretty practical-pleasing stuff.
Shop Airbnb
Airbnb Customizable Gift Card, $, available at Airbnb
Open Spaces Entryway Rack
Crafted from smooth painted steel, this three-tier entryway rack is a sharp-looking and useful dual-purpose home surprise. Whether your giftee wants to use the cool piece for Instagram-worthy shoe storage or as a side table for plants, books, etc., this rack will get the job done and look damn good doing it.
Shop Open Spaces
Open Spaces Entryway Rack, $, available at Open Spaces
Dyson V8 Absolute
Ok, this one is pricey — but, hear us out: this very expensive gift for your practical person is also potentially a gift for yourself (if you live with said giftee). Fast, lightweight, and a joy to slide on dirty surfaces, Dyson’s V8 Absolute is a gadget so good it’ll make any nonplussed person want to dance around with unbridled glee whilst cleaning on a Sunday. (I would know, I reviewed one and now we are in love.) Oh, it also happens to be $50 off right now, too!
Shop Dyson
Dyson V8 Absolute, $, available at Dyson
Aesop Adventurer Roll-Up
Treat a sensible giftee (who definitely keeps their hands extremely clean) to this trio of travel-sized cleansing gel, evaporative mist, and hydrating balm, all wrapped up in a stylish recycled-cotton pouch.
Shop Aesop
Aesop Adventurer Roll Up, $, available at Aesop
Loftie Smart Alarm Clock
A non-eyesore bedside gadget that’s engineered to not only bring sunlight into your practical giftee’s room on dark winter mornings but also to help them do everything from guided breathwork, meditations, pre-bedtime wind-downs, and snooze-through-the-night customizable sounds. In short, it’s a personalized bedtime routine they can keep on their nightstands.
By Loftie Loftie, $, available at By Loftie
Everlane The ReNew Slipper
The entire shopping team audibly gasped when The ReNew Slippers emerged onto the scene last year (and we’re all practical people!). The pair has already made its rounds in more than a few holiday gift guides, circulated on social media, and been added to our very own virtual carts just in time for the chilly holiday season. We can express with confidence that any no-nonsense giftee in your life would be glad to pop a pair of these 100%-recycled “duvets for your feet” slippers onto their tootsies.
Shop Everlane
Everlane ReNew Slipper, $, available at Everlane
Erin Condren Lilac Vegan Leather LifePlanner
It’s a safe assumption that your practical pals like to plan ahead — and if anyone knows how to plan, it’s Erin Condren. The designer’s functionally and aesthetically designed schedulers are bestselling organization essentials that make A+ gifting material in advance of the new year.
Shop Erin Condren
Erin Condren Lilac Vegan Leather LifePlanner, $, available at Erin Condren
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