The Practical Favorites I Love To Give (and Use Myself)
When it comes to giving gifts, I skip the trendy gadgets and go straight for the things that actually make life easier—or at least more pleasant. Over the years, I’ve found a handful of practical favorites I use constantly and happily share with anyone who’ll listen. From my magnifying mirror (equal parts friend and frenemy) to the water flosser that feels mildly life-changing, these are the top products I love and recommend as gifts. They’re useful, thoughtful, and just indulgent enough to make everyday life feel a little nicer.
Top Products I Love and Recommend as Gifts
This slim magnetic phone charger is brilliant. It’s optimized for iPhones and quickly recharges my phone on the go. It comes in three colors and slips easily into my purse when I have a long day ahead of me. It’s also invalable for air travel when you can’t find an outlet.
If you know someone who struggles with dry skin, dry eyes, or sinus issues, a bedside humidifier can be a game-changer. I run this sleek-looking Canopy humidifier 24/7 on my bedside table. It adds just the right amount of moisture to keep your skin and sinuses comfortably hydrated, especially in the winter months. This one has a unique design that prevents mold, and it’s dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
My bedside table is much smaller in our little condo in Vancouver, so I’ve ordered this portable one for there, and it’s small enough to bring when we travel!
I have tried way too many add-ons and gizmos to keep my Apple Earbuds from falling out, and I finally gave up. I swear, I have normally shaped ears, but they will not stay put, especially when moving my head, so I finally upgraded to these SHOKZ Open Fit earbuds, and I love them. They’re super comfy and never fall off, even when working out…which is when I love listening to audiobooks. They go over and outside my ears rather than inside, and also work beautifully when talking on the phone.
This cordless Shark Vacuum is fabulous! I had no idea how much I needed it until it arrived, and I found myself reaching for it often. My husband swiped it for the boat, so I ordered a replacement. It’s super lightweight, powerful, and perfect for quick pickups, so I don’t have to haul out the large cordless vacuum. Not a glamorous gift, but a helpful one.
I swear by my Waterpik. My dentist tells me I have the gums of a teenager. They say it doesn’t replace flossing for gum health, but it’s a very close second in my mind. Tip- I add a capful of Hydrogen peroxide to the water once a week, which helps to kill mouth bacteria…This is recommended by the oral surgeon who installed both of my dental implants.
This travel makeup mirror has three suction cups on the back that hold it very solidly to any window or mirror. It also has 10X magnification and a backlit LED light, which my old one didn’t have. The older my eyes get, the more light I need to see things clearly, so this one is pretty cool and a must-have for my suitcase! The ONLY downside is I keep leaving them stuck on hotel room windows and have to replace them, so luckily, it’s not expensive. My daughter calls this evil because you see everything…but my older eyes love it!
I have several little travel jewelry boxes and love their convenience. I think they would make a perfect gift for any woman on your Christmas list who loves to travel. It has plenty of spots to keep everything tangle-free, so they’re not dealing with knotted chains or missing earrings. I also like this one because it has six zippered pouches to keep jewelry separated and protected.
Bombas socks are, hands down, my favorite socks. They’re super soft and have a snug fit that’s perfect for all-day wear. Plus, for every pair purchased, a pair is donated to someone in need, so it’s a gift that feels good to give.
I’m a little obsessed with this one. The Noshinku Lavender Hand Sanitizer somehow makes clean hands feel like a small luxury. The refillable matte sprayer looks sleek, tucks easily into any bag, and gives you hundreds of soft, fine mists that sanitize without that harsh, alcoholy sting. It’s made with sugarcane-derived alcohol and nourishing oils like jojoba, argan, and rosehip, so your hands stay soft and smell faintly of lavender instead of chemicals. If lavender isn’t your thing, it also comes in lots of other scents.
This oversized leopard blanket has quickly become a household favorite! My husband prefers it over our Barefoot Dreams throw because it’s bigger and just as soft. I think I may order a second one, so we’ll each have one!
If you’re always wiping smudges off your glasses, this little gadget is a lifesaver. I keep three around because they’re that handy! They’re compact, easy to use, and leave my lenses crystal clear without any streaks.
The older I get, the more I appreciate gifts that simplify life rather than add to it. Each of these favorites has proven itself by being genuinely helpful or quietly uplifting. And really, isn’t that the kind of gift we all want to give?
What about you? Do you have a small-but-mighty favorite you love giving—or one you secretly hope someone gives you?
Absolutely love your suggestions ! I am thinking of a few for myself !!!
I have to agree with the ear buds. I could never keep the other type in my ears but these are great I listen to sleep stories when I have trouble sleeping and can sleep in them I even forget that I had them in and almost swam in them, it wasn’t until I was out of range of my phone that they reminded me that I was out of range of my phone.😄Greetings from Australia and enjoy the lead up to Christmas.
That little beep is a great reminder!! Nice to hear from you Robyn
I am a person who definitely needs a humidifier in the winter. My problem is that if I put it on the furniture, it gives off so much mist that it ruins the wood on the furniture. I would love to be able to put one on my nightstand. I have the same problem with ear buds and, on your suggestion I bought the Shokz last year. I love the comfort, although sometimes they randomly pop off my bluetooth.
Great post. Thanks for the ideas. I’m considering a few of them…for me!
All look like great products…haven’t tried ear buds or the flosser and last night before I saw this post I ordered a leopard print throw for our granddaughter!!
I know what you mean about those magnifying mirrors but for tweezing they are the best!!!
Oh my gosh, the gift-giving season is coming up so quickly. I love this time of year and your post is getting my thoughts going for my list of giving.
I find the entire ‘gift giving’ season overwhelming…I am an ‘over-thinker’ and a perfectionist, so this keeps me stalled in decision making. Thanks for this list…it helps a ‘little bit”. Appreciate this blog
My favorite gift for my girlfriends is a small portable fan for slipping in a purse. Whether It’s for hot flashes or it’s just for hot weather, everyone loves it. Look for Bluefeel on Amazon. Inexpensive, compact, long lasting battery, and long lasting! I’ve had mine for 4 years!
Great idea!
I friend got me to try Bombas socks, they are comfortable and don’t creep down in my shoes. Thanks for the gift suggestions. Have a blessed week!
All great suggestions! Thank you. Always looking for good gift ideas.
I love your gadget tips and have purchased several in the past. FYI, I also have a USB charging waterpik device I love fore travel, especially cruises where the bathroom is so small. Thanks for your ideas!
Great idea! My husband travels with a portable one too.
You are my kind of gal. I just bought a duplicate of this waterpik for our apartment in Vancouver because it’s a great one! I do love the idea of the envelopes in that travel jewelry box. It’s weird but I don’t see clouds of mist coming out, but I have to refill it every evening before bed so the mist is going somewhere.
I’ve had that issue with other humidifyers but this one doesn’t do it. In fact, there is very little visible mist coming out, yet it really works well.
That does sound fun for the adults!
Happy Friday Pamela.