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    51 Of The Best Practical Gifts To Give This Year

    Because the best presents are the ones they'll *actually* use.

    Hey! While we’re doing our best to make sure the products we feature will arrive in time for Christmas, shipping times are tricky and can vary depending on where you live, which product you purchase, and more. Shop early and be sure to double-check the retailers’ websites for shipping information to ensure that your gift will arrive in time for the 25th!

    1. A breakfast sandwich maker so they can create Egg McMuffin-style sandwiches in five minutes or less. No need to head to the drive-thru the next time a craving hits!

    2. A Trtl neck pillow that's 10 times more comfortable than those cheap, flimsy pillows people buy at the airport minutes before a flight. It's designed to keep their head in a comfortable position the entire time they snooze, which means no painful bobble-heading for your jet-setting friend.

    model wearing a gray trtl pillow while sleeping on a plane
    Amazon

    I've used this for the past few years and swear by it! Before this, I always found traditional neck pillows uncomfortable and would end up ditching them halfway through the flight and getting frustrated. The Trtl pillow is adjustable — you wrap the pillow around your neck and secure it with Velcro, and if you find it's too loose, just make it a bit tighter! I've truly never slept better on a plane than with this pillow.

    Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in four colors).

    3. A large leather transport tote from Madewell that will soon become their most used bag once they realize how roomy and durable it is. It also looks great with any outfit they put on, and it's big enough to carry around a computer and books, making it a great school or work bag.

    writer holding the medium brown leather tote over her shoulder
    writer holding the bag closer, showing the gold monogrammed detail
    Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "I've had this bag for about four years. I've carried it pretty much every day filled with lots of heavy law books. I thought it would eventually break because the straps do look thin, but it hasn't even gotten close. Still looks amazing and sturdy as ever. Will probably buy another one in a new color sometime soon. I highly recommend!!!" —LBF22

    Shipping info: Economy shipping (8–10 business days) is $3 and free for Madewell Insiders. See full shipping info here.

    Get it from Madewell for $178 (available in three colors).

    4. An environmentally sustainable white slip-on shoe with a plush insole made from yoga mats (yes, really!) so they'll feel like they're walking on clouds. This classic style is guaranteed to go with any outfit, so all they have to do is slip right into them and go about their day in comfort.

    reviewer photo sitting on steps wearing the white slip-ons holding a lil white dog
    reviewer mirror selfie squatting, wearing the white slip-ons
    Thousand Fells / Via @erincullison, Thousand Fells / Via @kendramorous

    Also!! When these shoes have reached the end of their life, you can send them back to the company to recycle them, and they'll give you $20 off your next order.

    Promising review: "I bought the slip-on shoes a few months ago and have worn them almost every day since. I generally look for wider shoes and I regularly anticipate problems with the good ole foot stank. After wearing them for just a few hours, they fit my feet even better than when I had first slipped them on. Even though you can go barefoot in the shoes, I know my feet sweat when I get hot or nervous, so I always wear socks and have never had a problem with odor! For me, this is a huge plus — not to mention how environmentally conscientious Thousand Fell is! I confidently wear them to work, around town, and my feet stay dry in the rain. I’m such a fan that I wrote about them in my last college final for Product Marketing. If you’re on the fence about it, I encourage you to at least try them out!"—AK

    Shipping info: Free ground shipping on orders over $80. Most orders are shipped within 24 hours of purchase. Estimated arrival time of order is 3-8 business days of its ship date.

    Get them from Thousand Fell for $125 (available in women's sizes 5–10 and men's sizes 8–13 and in 12 color designs).

    5. A splurge-worthy Always Pan that's as beautiful as it is practical. This one pan can replace their fry pan, sauté pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, nonstick pan, spatula, and spoon rest. Now here's to hoping they invite you over to enjoy one of the culinary masterpieces they whip up in this do-it-all pan!

    6. A facial applicator brush so they don't have to use their hands to apply their favorite face mask and end up with super messy hands to clean up. Gotta love anything that can make self-care face mask nights even more enjoyable!

    Promising review: "I absolutely love these. I've been using them for months now and they make applying masks so much easier. I get a much more even application than I did with my hands or with other brushes. Extremely easy to use, clean, and store. Love love love!" —Caterina

    Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get a two-pack from Amazon for $4.85.

    7. A bathtub caddy that'll transform their bathroom into a luxurious oasis where they can soak all their worries away. It's slip-resistant, has extendable handles, and will keep electronics, candles, and books safe and secure.

    reviewer photo of a bath caddy with a laptop wine and candle on it
    reviewer photo of a bath caddy with a wine bottle and accessories on it

    Promising review: "I didn’t take baths for the longest time because I found it inconvenient and couldn’t relax. The few times I took a bath in this tub prior to getting a bath tray, I would put my iPad on the toilet a few feet away out of arm's reach. Needless to say I’d be getting up every so often to adjust the volume, change the show, etc. I am so happy I ordered this! I can put my iPad or a book against the metal rest, have a drink, put my phone in the phone holder, and put some decorative candles in the sides. I am now a bath lover and would recommend this product to anyone looking to step up their bath or relaxation routine. I can now relax in the tub and multitask easily! My cat even jumped up on the bath tray while I was in the tub and it was completely sturdy. I’ve bought this as a gift for both my mom and boyfriend's mom because I love this product so much!" —Sierra Ritchie-Gruver

    Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $39.97+ (available in seven colors).

    8. A book embosser for the bookworms out there that have curated a super impressive home library and want to make sure their beloved books get back to them when they loan them out. Plus: there's just something so ~fancy~ about embossing your own books!

    An embossed page that says
    A reviewer's embossed page that has flowers on the edges

    To use, just press down on one of the first few pages of the book, and it'll leave little grooves in the design of the personalized embosser. It's like a stamp but without ink!

    Promising review: "My friend absolutely loved this gift! It’s completely customizable so although I kept the design mostly the same. I made my friends name lowercase because she likes the aesthetic of that and it turned out great! Their customer service is also so fast and easy to use, they answered me very quickly with a response that answered my question! The embosser itself it’s beautifully made and works great! I love the way it stores the stamp within the stamper and comes with a nice caring case." —Arabella

    Shipping info: Stamps are sent out 24 hours of your order being placed, and the  stamp will then take 3–6 business days to get to you. Expedited shipping is also available.

    Get it from Amazon for $34.50+ (available in 10 personalized styles).

    9. portable canvas cup holder so adorable, people will stop them on the street asking where they got it. Now they can keep ordering iced coffee (even when it's cold out!) without worrying their hands will freeze off.

    editor holding an iced coffee in a sleeve with a long handle by the hand
    editor using the handled holder to walk down the street with iced coffee
    Emma Lord/BuzzFeed

    VIS Paradise Goods is a Florida-based Etsy stop established in 2021 that specializes in personalized and sustainable goods. 

    BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord owns this and loves it! Here's what she has to say about it: "I love it for the convenience of texting on the go! These even have a holder for a straw if you happen to get iced coffee or bubble tea and don't want to stick the straw into the drink just yet. I've found this to be very sturdy and easy to use, plus they're a fun conversation starter — people always want to know where I got it! 

    Promising review: "This is perfect! I constantly have my hands full and now I can comfortably carry my coffee with me everywhere I go. I will be purchasing more!" —Erin

    Shipping info: $4.33 to ship, or free shipping when you spend $35+ at this shop. On average, orders take a week and a half to arrive.

    Get it from VIS Paradise Goods on Etsy for $11.43+ (originally $13.45+; available in five colors and 15 design options). 

    10. An interchangeable curl and wave kit from Chi to give them two hair styling tools in one! They can use the triple barrel waver attachment to achieve that effortless beach waves look or the single barrel wand to style their hair in curls.

    model using the triple barrel attachment to achieve waves
    model using the wand to create curls
    Sally Beauty

    It also comes with a protective glove for styling.

    Promising review: "I love this styling tool. It’s interchangeable and both the curler and waves attachment is amazing and super easy to change! I really love it. The curls are effortless and the waves are just smooth and gorgeous. The instructions are common sense and the irons are super easy to get in and out." —Mika M.

    Get it from Sally Beauty for $99.99.

    11. Claw clips for a cute way to keep their hair out of their face whether they're doing chores or going for a walk. Bonus: they'll keep even long, thick hair securely in place all day long.

    12. An itty-bitty Theragun Mini that'll give them sweet relief after a long workout. They can use this to massage any achy or sore muscles — it's designed to help them recover faster so they can get back to pumping iron.

    Model using the massager on their thigh
    Reviewer holding the massager

    BuzzFeed Shopping editor Melanie Aman loves her Theragun Mini for post-workout relief:

    "Exercising has been a huge boost to my mental health during quarantine, but the DOMS man — the DOMS hurt like hell!! I'm talking hurts to walk, hurts to lower myself and sit, hurts to stand up, hurts to lift things heavier than a stuffed animal, hurts to exist. I learned early on that this little gadget was suuuuuuuuper helpful in reducing my discomfort and loosening my tight, angry muscles. While jackhammering my calves and thighs is not an incredibly fun experience (TBH it hurts especially when I'm massaging already sore muscles), I know the next day I'll wake up with significantly less pain."

    Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $179 (available in four colors).

    13. An Instant Pot aka the true MVP of any kitchen. This seven-in-one kitchen gadget acts as a rice cooker, pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, warmer, and they can sauté in it. It's almost like there's a teeny-tiny private chef hiding in this thing magically whipping up tasty recipes!

    The Instant Pot with lid removed
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I love my Instant Pot. I own a traditional pressure cooker that I rarely used because I felt like I need to constantly watch it, so I was reluctant to invest in an Instant Pot. I am so glad I did. I have used it at least twice a week since I bought it and sometimes three or four times. I have done everything from cook hard-boiled eggs, cook ribs, to bake a cheesecake. I almost never use my other slower cooker because I can brown meat right in the Instant Pot and use the slow cooker setting. My most used accessories are the steamer basket ($20.99), springform pan ($15.07), extra liner ($19.99), and extra sealing ring ($7.95). The least used is the hard boiled egg steamer rack ($19.99; the steamer basket holds a lot more and is easier to use). If my Instant Pot died tomorrow, I would feel certain that I had more than gotten my money's worth and immediately buy another." —mickey

    Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in three sizes).

    14. A leakproof champagne stopper for your favorite brunch buddy who loves popping open a bottle of bubbly for mimosas. The pressure pump in the stopper keeps those lovely bubbles preserved, which means they don't have to drink the whole bottle at once. Yay — mimosas all weekend long!

    on the left, the stainless-steel and black stopper labeled "seal it" and on the right, a hand pressing down labeled "pump it"

    15. Nine pairs of soft knit socks they'll love to wear with their favorite ankle boots or loafers. With so many gorgeous hues available in the set, they'll be able to wear them with practically any outfit!

    Reviewer photo of a person wearing orange socks under their tan boots

    16. A W&P Porter ceramic mug for an aesthetically pleasing way for them to enjoy their java in the morning. It comes with a silicone sleeve and a super secure lid that'll keep all the hot liquid inside, even if you take this on a rigorous morning stroll.

    the black mug

    17. A purposely oversized blanket that can be used year-round because of its lightweight, breathable material (no more night sweats!). It's also machine washable, so they can use this in place of a traditional heavy comforter and top sheet.

    18. Gold Eye Treatments masks for your beauty-obsessed friend who also stays up late watching reality tv. Now, the next time they stay up until the wee hours of the morning, they can just use these to help with puffiness and dark circles. They'll be looking fresh as a daisy!

    buzzfeed writer with gold eye masks on

    19. The Wand, which anyone who loves a nice glass of red wine at night but hates the inevitable hangover in the morning will appreciate. They can just swirl this wand — which contains a histamine and sulfite filter — in their wine for 20 seconds, and then drink with the peace of mind that they won't wake up to a headache.

    The wand

    20. A faux-shearling moto jacket to add a bit of edge to any of their cold-weather ensembles. They might think you spent a pretty penny on it when they see how high-quality it looks and feels — you can keep it a secret that it costs less than $100!

    21. A bottle of Mike's Hot Honey for those times they need a bit of a flavor upgrade. They'll love how this sweet and spicy condiment tastes on pizza, tacos, grilled cheese, breakfast sandwiches, you name it!

    pizza with the honey on it

    22. A heated razor perfect for the fanciest person on your gift list. They'll love how the adjustable heat feels on their face as they shave on a cold winter morning. Plus: it looks so gorgeous and streamlined, they can leave this sitting out on the counter and it even won't look like an eyesore.

    the heated razor

    23. A sleek makeup organizer if their ever-growing collection of beauty products is currently crowding every inch of their bathroom. Now their counter will look as pleasant and organized as a fancy department store beauty counter.

    the makeup organizer

    24. A Dash mini waffle maker for anyone with limited kitchen storage space who still loves to treat themselves to a delicious homemade brunch on Sunday morning.

    25. Handmade Heroes 100% Natural Vegan Sleeping Lip Mask with a luxuriously formula of mango butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil that'll moisturize their lips all night long.

    the lip balms

    26. A set of modern-looking geometric trays that they can use for special occasions or leave out all the time because of how attractive they are. They're basically useful pieces of art!

    the interchangeable tray with yellow, green, orange, and white pieces

    27. Essence Lash Princess Mascara to make their lashes look so long, thick, and full, people will start asking them if they got eyelash extensions. In reality, it'll only them a minute to achieve that beautiful lashes look!

    28. A color-changing LED string perfect for anyone who just moved and is looking for some home decor that packs a special punch. Whether they use this along the perimeter of their room, underneath their bed frame, or behind their TV, they're bound to adore the colorful upgrade this string provides.

    Reviewer using the light string in purple to line a corner of the room

    29. A third-generation Echo Dot to basically act as their personal assistant. It'll schedule meetings, set alarms, look up the weather, play their favorite playlist — it's harder to think of something this gadget doesn't do.

    the echo dot

    30. A Joseph Joseph kitchen tool set that contains *deep breath* a slotted spatula, spaghetti server, slotted spoon, solid spoon, *and* a ladle. The unique space-saving design makes this a perfect gift for a college student with a teeny tiny kitchen.

    the magnetic storage stand and five utensils

    31. Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eye Shadow Base that will make any eyeshadow look more vibrant and striking. It also helps keep their eyeshadow from wearing off, smudging, or creasing. I mean, just look at how fantastic that reviewer's eye makeup looks after 10 hours of wear!!

    32. A toucan pitcher to add a bit of whimsy to their kitchen cabinets. Whether they're using this to pour milk, water, or fresh-squeezed lemonade, this adorable lil' dude is guaranteed to bring a smile to their face.

    the yellow and blue toucan-inspired pitcher

    33. A silicone popcorn maker so they can pair an at-home movie night with the most delicious snack! This is 10 times better than the microwave popcorn packets you can get in stores — they can add their own real butter in this as well as any spices for a truly delicious result.

    34. A USB-powered cooling pad perfect for any workaholics you know who are often working around the clock. Instead of dealing with an overused computer that's always too warm to place on their lap, this nifty thing will keep their device nice and cool thanks to the three powerful fans.

    reviewer photo of the cooling pad emitting blue light

    35. Jumbo silicone ice molds so amateur bartenders can take their homemade libations to a new, ~fancier~ level. Looks aside, these take a super long time to melt, so they don't have to worry about it watering down their negroni...sbagliato...with prosecco in it. (Ooo, stunnin'!)

    36. A portable Marshall Bluetooth speaker for the person who always has a killer playlist on deck whenever you and your friends get together. They'll love how crystal clear the sound is, the 20+ hours of playback, and the sleek carrying strap.

    The black speaker on a table outdoors

    37. A Wilton cooling rack any aspiring Star Baker will find so useful. There's nothing worse than running out of space to let a big batch of freshly baked cookies cool, and thanks to this collapsible three-tiered rack that can hold up to three dozen cookies, they'll have to deal with that inconvenience again!

    the cookies on a cooling rack

    38. An ergonomic footrest to improve their WFH set-up by helping out their posture during a grueling 12-hour workday. Now you'll be less likely to catch them slouching over their laptop or hear them complaining of back and foot pain at the end of the day!

    reviewer using black foot rest under desk

    39. A six-quart Vortex air fryer poised to become their most used appliance in the kitchen. It's great for cooking anything from frozen foods to veggies with barely any oil, and it'll heat up their leftovers to absolute crispy perfection.

    40. Reusable twist ties, which make a super useful stocking stuffer that essentially everyone on your list will appreciate. These flexible rubber ties can help organize anything from headphones to USB charging cords.

    41. A Wilton color swirl piping kit that will pipe three different colors at the same time with such ease, they'll be whipping up dozens of batches of cupcakes just for the fun of decorating them. Hopefully that means they bring you some of their tasty creations for you to try as a thank you!

    42. A "Did you feed the dog?" tracker that'll give them the ultimate gift — peace of mind that they're not over- (or under-!) feeding their pup.

    device with sliders for two meals each day of the week

    43. Cosmedica Illuminating Rose Gold Facial Serum Elixir perfect for anyone looking to improve their skincare routine. They'll love how hydrated and supple their skin looks after applying this formula packed with hyaluronic acid and aloe. They can even wear this over their foundation for a subtle glow!

    the rose gold serum

    44. A mini fabric steamer so they don't have to lug out the iron and ironing board every time they need to de-wrinkle a piece of clothing. It's perfect for any who recently has to start going back to the office again and needs their work wardrobe to look in tip-top shape all the time.

    45. A toothpaste holder for your friend who never likes to waste anything, even the last drop of toothpaste!! Now they'll always think of you when they're squeezing out their minty toothpaste every morning and night.

    46. A Luv Scrub mesh body exfoliator that lathers super well, is long enough to scrub their entire back (it can stretch up to 15 feet!), and removes dead skin cells with ease, making their skin feel so soft and smooth. Plus: it dries super fast, and they won't have to replace it for 18 months (Did you know loofahs should be replaced every three to four WEEKS?!)

    47. A Nespresso Vertuo Next for that fancy friend always in search of that elusive perfect cup of coffee. They'll feel like they're transported to a piazza in Italy as they sip espresso they've created with just a touch of a button.

    the espresso maker

    48. A durable water bottle that's so aesthetically pleasing, they'll find themselves reaching for it every day. Whether they use it to drink iced coffee, smoothies, or just plain old water, they'll love the nonslip silicone sleeve, the reusable straw, and the fact that it is top-rack dishwasher-safe.

    reviewer holding pink tumbler

    49. A V-neck ribbed sweater for a cozy wardrobe basic that can be worn with pretty much anything, like a trendy new blazer, a big puffy jacket, or their favorite pair of jeans.

    reviewer wearing the white tee

    50. A tiny milk frother to create some gloriously fancy foam to their morning beverage. It's like having a professionally made drink without having to make the trek to the coffee shop.

    51. A TubShroom drain protector so they don't have to deal with the disgusting act of snaking a drain when their tub gets clogged yet again. This lil' guy catches all of their hair before it heads down the drain, making it a godsend for anyone with super long, thick hair.

    reviewer photo of orange tubshroom with hair

    Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!

    illustrated gift guide graphic