While it’s probably not a good idea to give your wife a vacuum cleaner for your anniversary, there are practical gifts people appreciate. Here are some options. I’ll never forget that birthday I received a new steam iron. Suffice it to say, I was steamed, y’all. Not to knock the usefulness of the item, but it was my birthday. There are a time and a place for gifts that are useful and fill a need, and another time for gifts meant to delight and send a message of love. But sometimes, function and fabulousness combine to make a great present. There are practical gifts people appreciate.
Think About the Recipient
Over the years, I’ve found that the person who will receive the gift is the best clue to whether they’ll appreciate a practical present. The glamor goddess down the street who never appears in public unless every hair is in place, every nail polished, and every outfit perfectly accessorized is probably not a candidate for a new mop.
However, she might appreciate a curated box of mani-pedi supplies, so she can do her own nails, mask-free, in the comfort of her own home.
A new mom needs a lot of practical things that can also be fabulous. Send some self-care items along with a bale of newborn diapers.
The outdoor enthusiast might like a hat or headband with a built-in head lamp. That way, if they’re still on the trail at dusk, they can light their way home. Dog walkers and cyclists could also use attractive, practical ways to stay visible when out on the sidewalks or streets.
For the germ freak in your family (and hey, y’all, 2020 made germ freaks out of all of us) how about a touch-free, rechargeable soap dispenser? A wave and a squirt is all they’ll need before singing “Happy Birthday” twice to measure their 20 seconds of handwashing time.
For the cook who doesn’t have much storage space, consider the darling kitchenware of the internet, the Always Pan. This item is eight pieces of cookware in one box, cleverly nested to save space. It’s non-toxic, non-stick, and made partly from recycled materials. If your chef friend is into sustainability, you’ve hit the jackpot with this thing. It’s a little more than a bare budget can afford, but the price is right for a nearly complete set of stovetop cookware in one piece.
Pandemic Practicality
The internet is filled with creative versions of masks that show some personality. There are also hand care sets—all that handwashing can turn your hands into red, scaly, wrinkled paws. Sets include soap, moisturizer, and sanitizer that meets standards to kill germs. These are practical gifts that people appreciate to soothe pandemic fatigue and keep people doing their part to inhibit the spread of disease.
I hope you find some of these suggestions helpful. Whatever the occasion, practical gifts that meet the needs of your giftee according to their interests and personality (delivered contact-free) are fine choices for any occasion.
