If you’re stumped with what to buy this year, don’t worry—we scrolled through thousands of products and then vetted the very best useful gifts for everyone on your list. In the end, we compiled this list of items they’ll actually use. There are gifts under $30, cool gifts under $50, kids stocking stuffers, personalized gifts for Grandma and oodles of other goodies.
Our fave useful gifts to buy now
Criss-Cross Sitting Office Chair, $85
This armless criss-cross sitting chair is designed for those with ADHD, but we love it as one of the most useful gifts for just about everyone who works long hours by a desk. It’s great for changing position, fidgeting and keeping your circulation going.
Expandable Hardside Luggage, $65
If they’re always on the go or light in a small space, they’ll love this expandable (and collapsible) hardside luggage that meets carryon dimensions but magically fits SO much stuff. It’s a brilliant buy for jetsetting and business traveler types, and neatly tucks below a bed or in narrow closet when it’s not being used.
Genius Couch Coffee Mug Holder, $29
Have you ever seen something as genius as this coffee mug holder for sofas? We love how universally appealing this is for movie night, baby bottles and Grandma’s tea. It also has a clever compartment for the remote, tissues, snacks or whatever else.
Get one for yourself, too.
Giant Tortilla Wrap Blanket: $15
Aside from being incredibly photo-worthy, this cozy, useful gift idea is practical. It’s a soft, fleece blanket they’ll reach for on movie night or to cuddle up with parents. The 60-inch diameter makes it big enough to at least a couple of adults or a bunch of kids.
Adidas Court Block Sneakers, $40
A good pair of white kicks is one of the most useful gifts we can think of. Everyone needs ’em, everyone wears ’em and these are steeply discounted just in time for the big holiday shopping season.
Personalized Cutting Board, $25
Customize a cutting board for Grandma (or anyone else) and watch her eagerly show this stunning piece off to all her friends. Choose from walnut, beech, oak or bamboo materials and then go to town adding names and special imagery.
We especially love this useful gift idea for those with unusual names and atypical spellings.
Runaway Alarm Clock, $29
Heavy sleepers need this clever, witty stocking stuffer. It’s a standard LCD alarm clock that moves around (and away from them) so they’re forced to get up to shut it off. Brilliant!
2-Pack of Magnetic Grill Lights, $15
These clever magnetic grill lights snap onto almost any grill surface to provide Dad with much-needed visibility when the sun goes down. It expands his available grill time, which clearly makes him a happy camper.
SneakERASERS Instant Sole and Sneaker Cleaner, $11
Sneakerheads are obsessed with this handy little sponge that turns old kicks into new-looking beauties in a matter of minutes. These are like Magic Erasers, but specifically for sneaker materials and leather. We’re obsessed with these as stocking stuffer ideas for men and teens.
KitchenAid 5-Quart Stand Mixer Value Bundle, $399
This limited-edition silver KitchenAid 5-Quart Stand Mixer is one of the most useful gifts for home cooks and bakers. It comes with everything they’ll need to whip up the most delish meals, cakes, breads and other goodies—and it’s steeply discounted as part of Black Friday deals.
Anti-Slip Glasses Nose Pads, $14
Whether they readers or just can’t live without her sunnies, these absolutely brilliant anti-slip glasses nose pads are a clever and completely useful gift.
Long Winter Puffer, $65
This chic winter puffer coat for women comes in a handful of neutral colors and popular sizes. We love that it’s light in weight, cozy soft, super warm and ideal for travel.
Toddler Headphones with LED Lights, $19
We can’t say enough good things about these volume-controlled kids’ and toddler headphones from iClever. Choose from loads of fun colors and then watch them get a kick out of whatever they love listening to most as fun LED lights dot the frame.
Balance and Plank Board, $30
Fitness buffs and home workout enthusiasts rave about this compact balance board that’s great for standing, planking, squatting and oodles of other clever positions. This cool gift is also a great office or coworker gift because it’s a low-impact way to work on stability and fitness by a desk.
Inoviva Slushie Machine, $339
It’s certainly a splurge, but if you’re known to spend loads of cash on slushies, frappes and other chilled drinks, this machine is guaranteed to rock your world. It neatly fits on your countertop, uses a standard outlet and offers the best-tasting home slushie recipes we’ve ever tried.
Simply pour in your favorite liquid (ahem, coffee) and the sweetener of your choice and then press the start button. Built-in blades go to work mixing the slush to pro-grade perfection. This is definitely a must-buy for the one who loves entertaining.
Electric Fly Swatter, $10
This weirdly practical, cheap gift is easily one of the best funny stocking stuffers if they live in an area with lots of bugs.
Plush Character Pillow Cases, $18
They’ll get such a kick out of these practical, fun and whimsical pillowcases that turn any normal pillow into a plush stuffy. We love how many options and colors there are—and they’re machine washable!
Car Cupholder Expander, $14
If they’ve got an oversized Hydroflask or other bottle that simply won’t fit in a standard cupholder, this genius Gorilla Grip model promise to expand to just the right dimensions. We love this as a clever White Elephant or Secret Santa gift under $20, too.
Astronaut Light Projector, $39
Forget the typical ho-hum night lights, this game-changing astronaut lights up their walls or ceiling with constellations. It’s a wonderful STEM-inspired useful gift idea that doubles as a night light.
Clip-On Silicone Pot Strainer, $12
Help them clear cabinet and counter space with this clip-on strainer that works with almost every pot or pan on the market. We love that it is heat-safe thanks to silicone construction and is easy to wash. Just throw it in the dishwasher!
Satin-Lined Winter Beanie, $12
Protect her beloved hair with this satin-lined winter beanie that promises snag-free wearing that won’t leave her tresses damaged or full of static. If she’s the type to sleep with a satin bonnet or pillowcase, she’ll love this stocking stuffer idea.
Portable Tire Inflator, $50
If he loves his car, motorcycle, bike or other vehicle on wheels, he’ll think this stocking stuffer idea is brilliant. This portable air pump has a powerful motor and a high-performance chip, providing a maximum pressure of 150PSI and impressive airflow.
It pumps up a standard car tire from 30 to 36PSI in less than one minute, offering three times faster inflation than other models on the market.
Nyssa Postpartum Recovery Underwear, $53
This genius underwear has a pocket and slide-in insert for a hot pack (or cooling pad). It’s ideal for the first several days post-baby or c-section, but it’s also a brilliant buy for those with painful periods. This is definitely a useful gift idea for women, and something we can’t imagine living without.
Bare Botanics Dry Brush for Lymphatic Drainage, $6
We love this self-care gift that’s incredibly affordable and easy to use. Give it neatly packaged with some bath salts or a scrub or all by itself. Either way, it’s a top-rated useful gift they’ll appreciate and use regularly.
LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream, $16
Hands down, this affordable retinoid formula is one of the best skincare values out there. If the beauty lover in your life loves a low-maintenance approach that works, this top-rated find is a winner.
We love that it’s under $20 and a nearly identical dupe for the $70 cream she’s probably buying at Sephora. Pair it with one of the best retinol eye creams or use it solo to reduce the visible signs of aging.
Happy Nuts Comfort Cream Deodorant For Men, $15
Hysterically funny name aside, this anti-chafing and deodorizing formula is a brilliant stocking stuffer idea for active men. The lotion formula turns to a dry powder finish in just a few seconds. It’s also aluminum-free and probably his new favorite product of all time.
Drill Brush Cleaning Kit, $29
The DIYer on your list is sure to love this clever group of drill accessories that turns typical drills into pro-grade cleaning tools. It comes with a heavy-duty cleaning paste that scrubs the most aggressive dirt and stains out fast.
We’re obsessed with this stocking stuffer idea for men and know you will be too.
Biotin Shampoo for Thinning Hair, $29
This biotin-rich formula is free of damaging ingredients and loaded with hair and follicle-helping biotin to encourage new growth and keep existing hair from shedding unnecessarily. A large bottle should last him at least a couple of months, making this stocking stuffer idea for men a brilliant idea for dads and grandpas.
Pat Pat Dog Ramen Noodles, $14.99
If Fido can’t stop licking his chops over human food, this incredibly funny (and useful) ramen for dogs is just the ticket. It comes in drool-worthy flavors and looks very similar to the real-deal people food, only this is made with dog nutrition and probiotics in mind.
Goldtoe Cotton Ankle Socks 12-Pack, $26
We’re obsessed with the reinforced toes and wildly affordable price point of these Goldtoe ankle socks. Use these as stocking stuffers for men or just a useful gift for anytime.
The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo, $30
And if you need more ideas, check out this super-long list of our fave gifts under $10 (all with fast, free shipping).
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