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Jul 30, 2023

55 Best Gifts For Practical People You Know

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

You won't find this stuff in a shirt box crammed under a guest bed a decade from now.

BuzzFeed Staff

Hey! While we’re doing our best to make sure the products we feature will arrive in time for Christmas, shipping times are especially tricky this year 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!)

SERIOUSLY. What the heck? We tested (yep, tested) to zero in on the best toilet paper for BuzzFeed Reviews and rather than suggest a super pricey disposable thing you use to wipe yourself clean, we recommended investing in this bidet attachment for the highest price point.

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in two color combos).

Promising review: "I love this umbrella! I purchased one earlier for myself and loved it so much that I purchased three more, one for each of my daughters and one for my granddaughter! This is the greatest invention in years! It is wonderful to be able to get into the car and close your umbrella and then bring it inside without getting drenched! This is a great product that is sturdy and fashionable!" —Alicia Gillaspie

Get it from Amazon for $18.88 (available in 19 styles).

If you're willing to spend a little more coin, check out our picks for the best umbrella on BuzzFeed Reviews.

This is a *renewed* printer, meaning it's refurbished and passes certain strict Amazon measures for it being up to par for you. Features of this color photo printer include Print, scan, copy, borderless and wireless printing, SD card slot. This model works with Alexa, mobile printing via wireless direct printing or from your device such as iPhone with AirPrint. I bought a similar renewed HP printer from Amazon a year ago and am SO glad I did so. It's set up with my wireless network and I print from my iPhone all the time. It's peak convenience!

Get it from Amazon for $140.12.

My friend Jay and his wife Haley McMillan started this biz as a solution that doesn't mess with the owner's style (she's worked in fashion!) while they're going about their day (he's a trainer who's had clients, including me!, misplace phones in the gym). Hence, we have this system that's super versatile. Your gift recipient can stick the mount on a weight machine so they can *perfect* their form while watching a YouTube video or hold onto their phone while doing jump squats (yes really) by placing the mount in their pocket and their phone on the outside of their bottoms. But the uses don't stop there! Check out the tips and tricks for more ways they can use this extremely practical gift!

Get it from EZ Reach Apparel for $38.

Get it from Amazon for $9.49.

You're thinking "A candle in a gift guide? Revolutionary, Elizabeth." But HEAR ME OUT. I used to live with an adorable but v slobbery English bullie named Cleo (pictured in her festive glory) and lighting one of these for 10–20 minutes annihilated any hints of eau de dog or roasting Brussels sprouts in our small apartment. And these smell like regular candles, (not your typical odor-neutralizing ones), so really they're the best. Check out my full review of One Fur All Pet House Candles.

Get it from Amazon for $21.85 (available in 26 scents).

Promising review: "We are a family of six in a small one-bathroom house. This is, to put it lightly, a horrific nightmare — particularly after my teenage son spends some time in the bathroom. After a couple of weeks of gentle encouragement ('YOU ARE KILLING EVERYONE. SPRAY THAT STUFF ON THE WATER BEFORE YOU POOP OR I'M TAKING AWAY YOUR PHONE AND, SO HELP ME GOD, I WILL CALL YOUR GIRLFRIEND AND TELL HER EXACTLY WHY YOU GOT IT TAKEN AWAY.') he started using it regularly. The bathroom is much less disgusting now after he leaves." —Supa D

Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in several sizes and scents).

Also consider a Poo-Pourri travel gift set. I could go into detail about how I was very glad I packed one of these travel sprays when I visited my friend for a long weekend, but I won't.

I can personally attest that these things get off all of your makeup, unlike disposable wipes. I wear three(!) kinds of waterproof mascara, long-lasting liquid foundation, and a whole other mess of makeup every day, and I use these on the reg. But if my word isn't good enough for you, we tested and determined it as the mid-price pick for the best makeup removers on BuzzFeed Reviews.

Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in more colors).

Promising review: "I'm a single dad of a 6-year-old girl and combing her hair is the hardest part of taking care of her. She gets really bad knots in her hair. This brush is the only thing that has ever worked. Thank you so much. She even likes to comb her own hair now." —Nguyen P.

Get it from Amazon for $11.88.

Made from aircraft grade aluminum for superior strength and portability. Includes six ink refills.

Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

Promising review: "Love being able to make fresh iced tea by the cup! Whatever flavor I’m in the mood for at the time and it's sooo easy!" —Lynn Drong

Get it from BuzzFeed's Goodful line on Amazon for $19.99.

Promising review: "What a perfect gadget for getting your phone clean. After touching who knows what while commuting to work and it being that time of year everyone around you gets sick this comes in handy. After the first use it looked great and then I wiped it down with the sponge that came with. I feel so much better about using my phone now." —Crystal Gardener

Get it from Amazon for $79.95.

I can't be the only one stressed by the thought of all the organization it takes to keep up a bullet journal.... This planner has 12 months of weekly and monthly pages, 68 ruled pages, calendar stickers, and in inner pouch.

Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors).

This Etsy shop is run by one of my favorite YouTubers Budget Girl, whom documented paying off $33,000 in debt (video here!) and has set up a net worth of $75,000 (video here!). So yeah, I think her advice is solid!

Get it from BudgetGirlGoods on Etsy for $5.99 (you can also get an annual net worth spreadsheet).

Promising review: "This stuff is absolutely AMAZING. My wife and I were getting tired of looking at our worn-out cabinets and wood paneling and were very close to paying a professional thousands of dollars to refinish it all, but then we came across this product. Our paneling and cabinets were looking rough. We have two dogs that jumped up and scratched places, we also had an area that was damaged by water spots where our dog bowls were, and several other areas that were just worn from heavy traffic. This stuff was like a Magic Eraser for water spots, scratches, scuffs, and any other blemish. We simply wiped the product on with a paper towel and let it sit for 20 minutes before wiping it off with a clean towel. Everything looks brand new. I'm buying a couple more so we can finish our cabinets and wood paneling. We're so glad we found this product." —Kris

Get it from Amazon for $15.18.

Promising review: "Absolutely LOVE this bag! It has made life with a toddler and newborn so much easier. Has every compartment you could possibly need in such a lightweight, comfortable, durable and fashionable design! Front pocket has tons of space and insulated bottle pockets. Main compartment has multiple zipper storage areas and mesh storage pockets which literally fits everything such as, pacifiers, wipes, diapers, bottles, snacks, clothes, toys, etc. it's also super convenient for parents items as well like your keys, phone or sunglasses. When main compartment is open, it holds its shape and stands straight which makes looking for something so much easier. The back bottom zipper allows easy access to inside the bottom main compartment, I love this for getting a diaper or change of clothes without digging through the whole bag. This same zipper flap has an internal zipper compartment which is awesome for wet items or items you want to keep sealed separately. Side pouches can hold multiple bottles or items and on one side there is even a design with a slit to access wipes!" —Sarah Haas

Get it from Amazon for $28.99 (available in 15 colors).

They'll also be glad they're not getting yelled at every time they go in for a dental cleaning. The Quip won our budget category for the best electric toothbrush on BuzzFeed Reviews. It's recommended by the ADA and on a subscription so they'll be able to get a *fresh* toothbrush head on the reg. (C'mon, how many times have you asked "Is this your tile-scrubbing toothbrush?" only to find out that haggard thing is what they put in their mouth!!!)

Get it from Quip for $25+ (available in regular or smart versions).

This flosser was awarded the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. Has 10 pressure settings, 7 water flossing tips, and 90 seconds of water capacity.

Promising review: "I purchased two of them for my daughter and husband and they love it. They both have braces and have a hard time flossing so their orthodontist recommended a Waterpik to help. I found this one and it had good reviews so I tried it. This product worked so well for them and it's so easy to use. Since using this their orthodontist gave both of them great reviews. On their last cleaning and checkup the dentist told them they see a huge improvement. She told them to keep using it because it's working well for them. I highly recommend it to anyone with braces. The only thing I don't like is that there is no case for the other attachments. I'd like to be able to put them up or hang them up." —Charles & Rosanna Kaelble

Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in seven colors).

And if they're short on bathroom counter space (I can relate!), consider a travel Waterpik for $48.66+ (available in two colors).

Promising review: "Thanks to this cushion, the second i get out of my chair or turn my back my cat jumps in my seat. He looks too cute to kick him out so i may have to buy a separate cushion for him. A+++ best cushion i've ever bought and cat-approved." —Thetortagirl

Get it from Amazon for $39.95.

Promising review: "I worked several years in a fine jewelry store that sold this product. We used the Dazzle Stick from time to time to add a quick shine to merchandise that was just tried on and on days our jeweler was not there to professionally clean items. I was always impressed with the instant shine the diamond stick provided. The brush tip is very helpful for getting under the stones and in the setting where gunk builds up reducing that brilliant shine. I recently got engaged and immediately purchased a Diamond Dazzle stick of my own. It's the perfect way to quickly give my ring some shine before leaving the house. You simply brush, rinse, dry and go. I don't feel this product replaces the need to professionally clean your jewelry every now and then, but it does help with the maintenance of that new shiny sparkle." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $7.75.

Check out our full review of Diamond Dazzle Stick here!

And it gets better! They're dishwasher-safe!

Get a set of four from Snowe for $50.

Promising review: "Had a large amount of brown sugar and couldn't keep it soft, even in a tight container. I purchased new 5-quart jars for my flour, sugar, and so forth, and quickly realized my brown sugar was a ROCK! I purchased this, soaked it, and placed it in the sugar as instructed. Within hours it was soft again! I have about 2 lbs. of sugar in the 5-quart jar currently. The jar is sealed with a gasket but I haven't had to re-soak the bear yet (only a month in use currently). Would recommend to anyone at this point, just mad I have wasted so much brown sugar over the years. I have not used it for any of the other uses, like cookies or bread, but will probably purchase more in the future since this little bear is dedicated to my brown sugar." —diosa

Get two from Amazon for $5.50.

Promising review: "I bounce sizes depending on makes of shoes. 10.5 to 11. Bought the size12. Just a touch more toe room that I love after being on my feet all day. Great cushioned insole. Soles are quiet on hardwood floors. Soles are not slippery on stairs. Yes they are warm and breathable slippers. Slippers do not flop around as you walk. Tag on inside can be pushed under insole if it bothers you. Great product." —Scott in NC

Get them from Cabela's for $24.77+ (available in men's sizes 8–14).

Promising review: "First of all, the glasses do provide the intended benefit of blocking blue lights from screens of cellphones, pads, and others. I have been using the glasses for several days, and the glasses did reduce greatly the discomfort and tiredness of my eyes. Furthermore, the glasses are wide and large enough to put on top of my existing eyeglasses, which is a big plus. Finally, it is really sturdy and light in weight." —Alan Chen

Get them from Amazon for $14.97 (available in black or tortoise frames).

This is a solid blender for cocktail and smoothie lovers. Also, lots of parts are dishwasher-safe! If you aren't already sold, this won out in the budget price point for the best blenders on BuzzFeed Reviews.

Get it from Amazon for $99.99.

Includes a triple-layer, vacuum-insulated exterior bowl and durable Tritan inner prep bowl. The exterior is condensation-proof, leak-free, and dishwasher-safe.

Get it from S'well for $40+ (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "Bought this in September to save my back and do thankful I did! Northern Virginia just got hammered with one of the top five worse snowfalls on record. We had over 24 inches. We ran this a few times on fresh snow and it worked great. The final clean up was about 20 inches. It was slow going and we had to take a few passes but she did a great job. Will buy again!" —Dobbie

Get it from Greenworks on Amazon for $126.18 (available in several models).

My mom bought these for me two Christmases ago and they look just as gorgeous IRL. Oh, and they also work really well!!! Includes spoons and cups for 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, and 1-cup.

Get them from Amazon for $22.99.

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in several colors and sizes).

Get six from Amazon for $17.99.

Get it from Bass Pro Shops for $19.97 (available in men's sizes S–3XL and eight color combos).

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors).

These tabs have been tested by my mom who's used just about every kind of laundry soap/tab/whatever. She found them to work just as well as anything else. Plus there's less mess! The set includes one reusable steel tin, 40 fragrance-free laundry tablets that work in HE and standard washing machines. The tablets work on cotton, linen, denim, polyester, rayon, acetate, and Tencel.

Get it from Blueland for $18.

Promising review: "I have been using these for over year now and I absolutely love them. I only use four in my dryer and they have reduced the time it takes to dry clothes. I did not add a scent to the balls so I sometimes throw a dryer sheet in with the balls. They make a soft thud sound while drying. I have given them as gifts to all of my sisters-in-law and they love them." —P. King

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $7.99.

I'd be lying if I said I hadn't considered buying this for myself to use as an actual vacuum....

Promising review: "Our 1.5-year-old son is OBSESSED with vacuums and carpet cleaners. He has nearly broken my vacuum a few times because it's a bit too large for him to maneuver. We got him this for Christmas, and it was the only gift he cared about. He wouldn't open any other gifts after getting to it. His sister had to do the rest of them. He has been 'vacuuming' for four days straight. When I vacuum, he follows alongside me with it. It is a lot quieter than I expected. The sound doesn't get annoying. I love it! If it ever breaks, I'll buy him another." —Kelsie

Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in two color combos).

Oh and it's Japanese, which'll convince them it's way more luxe than its under-$20 price. More important deets include that it makes 4-6 servings, has a 1-liter capacity, is dishwasher-safe, and has a reusable filter. We're a little obsessed with it because it won out as our budget pick for the best cold brew coffee maker on BuzzFeed Reviews!

Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in three colors and two sizes).

Your caffeine content will still depend on how you brew, but if you use these beautiful beans you'll get about 660 milligrams per 12 fluid-ounces. Just listen to the Dethklok coffee jingle while you brew up this stuff. Trust me.

Promising review: "OK folks, words of warning....if you have heart conditions, ration out your coffee. I'm serious; heed my warning or you could end up cleaning your entire house, doing all your yard work, making love to your partner, waxing your car, building a garage, or singlehandedly raising the Titanic on your own; all in the first hour after drinking this wonderful coffee. You have been warned!" —ITsTheXFactor

Get it from Amazon for $19.96.

This coffee-of-the-month club includes a bag of coffee, postcard detailing the deets of the beans, and roasting tips. You can choose between whole bean or ground, three bag sizes, and two roast types. Check out our full review of Atlas Coffee Club.

Get a 3-month gift subscription from Atlas Coffee Club for $60.

Includes four spoon rests made of 100% food-grade silicone that's heat-resistant, non-toxic, BPA-free, durable, and flexible.

Get them from Amazon for $8.98+ (available in two sizes).

Get it from West Elm for $16.95.

FYI, this is from a small biz (with the physical store near my office!) that has been hit hard in 2020 like many other businesses. If your gift recipient is into funny and/or kitchen stuff you're sure to find a great gift on the site. It's my go-to for gifts for EVERYONE. Half of my kitchen items are from this store, including some similar storage bowls that hold up super well!

Get it from Fishs Eddy for $10.50.

It measures cups, ounces, grams, milliliters, pounds, and fluid ounces.

Promising review: "I've been using this in the kitchen on a regular basis. It works great for making a balanced sourdough starter feed. The gram setting is extremely precise and sensitive. So far I have not had to change the batteries and it's been a few months." —Anaya

Get it from Amazon for $21.34.

AND this curls up around your hair tool to create a protective barrier for travel!

Get it from Amazon for $16.95+ (also available in gray).

I use Billie razors (and shave cream and lotion), and love them. The razors feel nice in your hand and are bright enough to spot in the shower before I put in my contacts. (My vision is bad.) Oh, and they can mount the magnetic handle to their shower wall!

Get a starter kit from Billie for $9 (includes the razor handle, magnetic holder, and two five-blade razor cartridges).

Promising review: "This product is amazing. I've always had acrylic or dipped nails because my real nails have always been brittle and always break and peel. I decided to give my nails a break and wanted to try and grow them out. I can't even believe the outcome! They are stronger than ever and growing! I really wish I had taken a before pic to show the difference!" —JOE D.

Get it from Amazon for $8.50+ (available in two sizes).

It works as a rice cooker, pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté, yogurt maker and warmer. Pinterest has been all about the Instant Pot for a few years and you should really hop on this bandwagon. Just check out a BuzzFeeder's review and Instant Pot recipes that'll basically cook themselves. Still unconvinced? Look at all the yummy Amazon reviewer photos.

Promising review: "There are so many people who say the can't cook, but I swear I'm on a whole new level of not being able to cook. This little appliance helps expand our menu and I Have learned to do so much with it. I will sum up in a nutshell, I love how easy it is and how I throw everything in it comes out done. No stirring and not many messy dishes. I still don't love it for meats (which I don't eat much of anyway), but I think that's just a matter of needing to experiment more with them. I seriously can't believe how many foods can be cooked in here!" —Aundrea

Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in 3-, 6-, or 8-quart sizes).

I adore my slow cooker but hate cleaning up after using it. So I use these handy lil' bags. Read my full review of Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners (#4).

Get a box of six liners from Amazon for $2.98.

Promising review: "I bought these for my daughter. She is thrilled with them — just what she needed for her Instant Pot." —KerrieS

Get them from Amazon for $7.99.

Not only are these 100% cotton and quick-drying, they're easy on the wallet and won out as the top pick for the best bath towels on BuzzFeed Reviews!

Get a three-piece set (a washcloth, hand towel, and bath towel) from Amazon for $12.99 (available in eight colors and several size combos).

Filters up to 1,000 liters of contaminated water without iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals. Does not require batteries and has no moving parts. Removes minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites, and filters to 0.2 microns; surpasses EPA filter standards.

Promising review: "I frequently hike and camp in the backcountry all over the United States. Carrying the amount of water that I need to survive during these trips is just not feasible due to the weight. I recently took a LifeStraw out for a test on a backcountry hike in the Rocky Mountains. Every stream, lake, or other water source that I came across, I stopped for a drink. I was drinking fresh snow melt and also from lakes that are home to beavers and other wildlife. There was no added taste to the water and I didn't get sick during or after the trip. The one drawback to the LifeStraw is that it does take a bit of suction to start and keep the water flowing. When you're at high altitudes in the mountains this leads to longer 'drink breaks' because you can get winded pretty easy while trying to suck up water through the LifeStraw. However, its size and weight advantages when hiking mountainous terrain vastly outweigh this minor drawback." —Charlie

Get it from Amazon for $12.97.

Get it from Amazon for $26.88.

Has enough power to provide two charges to an iPhone 6s or at least one to a Galaxy S7. Includes the PowerCore 5000, travel pouch, micro-USB cable, welcome guide, and 18-month warranty.

Promising reviews: "I bought this during the height of the Pokemon Go release craze, and it worked great for keeping my phone alive so I could try and find something other than Pidgeys. I don't play anymore but it still works as a good life extender while on long flights between my two work offices." —Kim Dee

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four colors).

Want more info on that warranty? They're unconditionally guaranteed for life.

Promising review: "Best socks ever! I'm a nurse full time and a carpenter part time. These socks are amazing, as are most high content merino wool garments. But, these are are well-made American products! These are ALL I wear. It took four pairs 2.5 years to wear down the external layer on the balls of my feet. Cost me a couple of bucks to return them, had new ones on my abused feet within a few short weeks! I'm good for a couple more years! Merino wool is amazing, no stink, no itch, durable, and feels great when it's hot or cold outdoors. Ask any back country hiker/climber, nearly every garment they use is typically made of merino wool; long johns, gloves, hats etc. Did I say, 'these are made in Vermont!'" —William

Get them from Amazon for $21.90+ (available in nine colors combos and sizes S–2XL).

Includes Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm (3.3 Fl. Oz.), Men Sensitive Shaving Gel (7 Oz.), Men Sensitive Face Wash (5 Fl. Oz.), Men Sensitive Protective Lotion (2.5 Fl. Oz.), Men Sensitive Body Wash (16.9 Fl. Oz.).

Get it from Amazon for $25.

TBH, I would not mind getting toilet paper for Christmas. It's something you KNOW you'll use.

Get a gift card from Amazon for $25+.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.