The season of gift-giving is officially upon us, which means it’s time to start figuring out who’s on your list and what to get them this year. Of course, with so much to choose from, we know that holiday shopping can easily get overwhelming, so here’s a little advice: When in doubt, go with a practical present because they make people’s lives better and easier (if not both) and, therefore, almost always get put to good use.
Practical gifts do not have to be boring, either. After all, there’s nothing mundane about a luxurious weighted blanket that’ll keep someone cozy and warm while easing their anxiety at the same time. And there’s definitely something special about a robot mop that literally does all their floor polishing for them with the press of a button. Even protective face coverings — aka one of the most practical gifts you can probably give right now — don’t have to be dull seeing as there are countless cool and unique designs to choose from.
To get you in the holiday shopping spirit, we’re sharing some amazing practical gift ideas that anyone on your list would be ecstatic to receive.
For the traveler who can’t travel:
State Bags Bennett Fanny Pack
$85.00, State Bags
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Helix Adjustable Pillow
$85.00, Helix
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Amazon Echo Show
$230.00, Amazon
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Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Instant Film Camera
$110.00, Amazon
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Anyone with the travel itch probably can’t wait until it’s safe to vacation again. In fact, they’ve likely already planned out their next trip to the hour during self-isolation. If you’re looking for a gift idea for someone like this, we suggest the State Bags Bennett Fanny Pack, which is perfect for hands-free sight-seeing and storing extra face masks or hand sanitizer. The Helix Adjustable Pillow will give the travel-obsessed loved one in your life a five-star sleep while they’re on the road or in the air.
Or if they’re looking to learn about new places, people, and cultures while connecting with friends from around the world, the Echo Show is another awesome option. For the person who’s always taking a million photos during their travels, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 is the perfect way to remind them that they’ll be back to their passion before they know it.
For the beauty buff:
Riki Loves Riki Skinny Mirror
$195.00, ulta
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Awenia Rotating Makeup Organizer
$38.00, Amazon
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NanoSteamer Facial Steaming Set
$40.00, amazon
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Mani Me Laser-Cut Manicures
$15.00,
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Here at Allure, beauty lovers are our favorite people to give gifts to. They get just as excited as we do over a well-lit mirror, such as the Riki Skinny, which includes the ability to take selfies and videos, or a smart beauty storage solution like Awenia’s Rotating Makeup Organizer. We also love facial steamers like the Pure’s NanoSteamer Facial Steaming Set for a total spa night. And, for anyone that has been missing their weekly manicures, the Mani Me nail wraps are so good that we gave them an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2020.
For the fitness lover:
Athleta Made To Move Mask 3-Pack
$25.00, Athleta
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Bearaby Cotton Napper
$249.00, Bearby
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Theragun Mini
$199.00, Theragun
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Powerbeats Pro Totally Wireless Earphones
$250.00, amazon
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Exercise has truly evolved in 2020 with gyms and fitness classes put on pause due to the pandemic. Therefore, gifts for the fitness-loving folks in your life have changed, too. The Athleta Made to Move Mask Pack features three breathable face coverings that can be worn while going for a run outside. For at-home, post-workout recovery, the Bearaby Cotton Napper and Theragun Mini are great at soothing sore muscles and body tension. Lastly, with nine hours of battery life, these Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones are perfect for cardio lovers who need to make sure their earbuds stay in place while working out.
For the fragrance connoisseur:
Pura Superego Ellis Brooklyn Home Fragrance
$14.00, pura
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Henry Rose The Wardrobe Fragrance Set
$140.00, henry rose
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Diptyque Prêts-à-Parfumer Perfumed Bracelet
$90.00,
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Sol de Janeiro Coco Cabana Hair and Body Fragrance Mist
$19.00, sephora
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Yes, fragrance can be extremely personal, but it also makes a great gift if you know where to look. The Pura Ellis Brooklyn Superego plug-in is lowkey like an air freshener — except so much cooler because it adjusts the scent’s intensity to your preference. For anyone that loves a perfume sampler, Henry Rose’s The Wardrobe has five of the brand’s most beloved scents in rollerball form.
A 2020 Best of Beauty Award winner, the Diptyque Prêts-à-Parfumer Perfumed Bracelet is a unique take on traditional fragrances. And for anyone dreaming about that on-hold tropical vacation, the Sol de Janeiro Coco Cabana Mist basically smells like a beach in a bottle.
For anyone working remotely:
iRobot Braava Jet 240 Superior Robot Mop
$177.00, amazon
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Nespresso CitiZ Original Espresso Machine
$256.00, amazon
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Felix Gray Nash Blue Light Glasses
$95.00, Felix Gray
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EleVen by Venus Williams Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35
$50.00, EleVen by Venus Williams
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Working from home has become the new normal for a lot of people. For anyone on your gift list who still needs help with that office-to-living room transition, we gathered a few ideas that’ll make their experience easier. For instance, the iRobot Braava Jet 240 Superior Robot Mop allows you to work while the little robot does all the cleaning for you. If they usually make multiple runs to the coffee shop every day, the Nespresso CitiZ Original Espresso Machine can whip up a speedy cappuccino at home instead.
Remind your family and friends that they still should be wearing sunscreen indoors by gifting them the EleVen by Venus Williams’s Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35. In addition to UV light, blue light has also become a hot topic, which is why anyone would love the Felix Gray Blue Light Glasses to ease eye strain from excessive screen time.
For the college student:
PhoneSoap Pro
$119.00, PhoneSoap
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Lather Conscious Care Kit
$18.00, Lather
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Blue Sky Weekly Planner
$25.00, Amazon
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Songmics Laptop Desk
$42.00, amazon
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Considering the fact that we’re in the middle of a pandemic, it’s safe to say most college students would appreciate anything that helps protect them like the PhoneSoap Pro, a device that disinfects your phone, or the Lather Conscious Care Kit, a three-piece set that includes a moisture-wicking face covering, hand sanitizer, and cream for over-washed hands.
To increase remote or in-person productivity, we also love the Blue Sky Weekly Planners and Songmics Laptop Desk, a great gift for students taking online classes because it provides a sturdy work surface from the comfort of a couch or bed.
For the eco-conscious person:
Baggu Reusable Shopping Bags
$36.00, amazon
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Burt’s Bees Hand Repair Gift Set
$15.00, amazon
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iamKhatu Metallic Stars Face Mask
$20.00, Etsy
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Reusable Bamboo Cotton Rounds
$9.00, Amazon
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This year has not only seen a pandemic but also an ongoing climate crisis as wildfires continue to burn down forests on the west coast. For anyone who has a renewed (or ongoing) interest in becoming more environmentally conscious, we recommend reusable products like the Baggu Shopping Bags, Reusable Cotton Rounds from Amazon, and iamKhatu’s Metallic Stars Face Mask, which can be washed and re-worn, unlike disposable face coverings.
For the green-beauty enthusiast, Burt’s Bees Hand Repair Gift Set includes the brand’s best-selling Almond Milk Hand Cream, Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream, and Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream — plus a pair of cotton gloves, should you want to trap in all of the hydration overnight for a more intense moisturizing hand treatment.
For the party host
Wine Tote Carrier Bag
$14.00, amazon
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L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
$29.00, amazon
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Caraway Dutch Oven
$125.00, caraway
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ChappyWrap Polka Dots Blanket
$135.00, ChappyWrap
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Even if you aren’t attending holiday parties this year, that doesn’t mean you can’t send virtual gifts to your friends hosting Zoom celebrations. The Made Easy Kit Wine Tote Carrier Bag comes in a set of three stylish, Hawaiian-themed designs that any party host is bound to enjoy. For the skin-care-loving host who is likely washing their hands a lot, L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Hand Cream won’t go unappreciated.
A more high-end gift, the Caraway Dutch Oven is a top-of-the-line, non-stick pot made with an eco-friendly ceramic coating that, according to the brand, releases up to 60 percent less carbon dioxide when produced compared to traditional non-stick coatings. Lastly, any host will love cozying up on their couch with the ChappyWrap Polka Dot blanket made by a mother-daughter duo.
So, no matter who is on your gift shopping list this holiday season, remember that it’s the thought that counts. Especially if that thought is something that is actually useful.
Now check out more gifts to shop this holiday season:
Done reading? Watch Selena Gomez’s getting-ready routine:
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Originally Appeared on Allure
