Ah, we’ve made it to the trickiest friends on your gift list: the practical pals—you know the ones—who prefer presents with a purpose. We’re talking utility all the way here; no gag gifts or frivolous finds need apply. Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of useful, thoughtful pieces for all those efficiency-loving recipients.
For some, the words “holiday season” and “survival” are synonymous. Between hyperactive kid cousins and grandparents who just don’t get it, hanging with the family can be… well, we won’t say it’s challenging, but you get where we’re going with this. So what’s the glue that’ll hold you together? We suggest giving a good game a shot. If that sounds promising, you’re in luck: We’ve collected eleven of our best below, complete with co-signs from real customers.
By the way—we know some people like family time. (The writer of this gift guide happens to be one of them.) If you’re one of those who’s pumped to give Mom and Dad the hugs they deserve, then sneak off to gossip with your now-grown-up sister, read on anyway: You’ll find something fun to help pass the time, too, which will come in handy when you’re snowed in!
When it comes to adventurous eaters, the average holiday cookie just won’t cut it. Here’s your chance to show all those foodie friends you can get on their level. We combed through our assortment and put together a secret recipe of gifts to entice all the culinary connoisseurs on your list.
PSA: It’s cool to be a nerd. Shout-out to all the science-savvy, cosmos-curious, mathematically-minded pals out there. We put together a list of gifts those proud geeks will love—or, should we say, that’ll increase their oxytocin levels exponentially.
If you’ve got a sports nut in your life, holiday shopping victory can be yours! We’ve rounded up a competitive bunch of gifts for those with a love of the game. And if you think we’re talking about team hats or jerseys or something else a fanatic would already have, well, that’s strike no. 1. This list has a full roster of unique gifts we can almost guarantee your die hard has never dreamed of. So get ready to hit a grand slam, go for a hat-trick, score an overtime W, hit a hole in one—or any other sports metaphor you can think of—with your all-time-high offering.
Some call them literati, bibliophiles, or even bookworms. But they’re not too concerned about those titles, ‘cus they’re busy browsing the shelves for titles from their favorite authors. That’s right, we’re talking about book lovers. You could pick up a copy of the latest best-seller or a literary classic to stuff in their stocking this year, but chances are they’ve already devoured it, cover to cover. Instead, try one of these selections from our library of gift ideas that are sure to read well with the well-read.
The saying goes that nothing compares to the thrill of seeing your name in print. Nowadays, we could argue that seeing our name listed online, recommended on TV, or mentioned on a podcast gives us that same intoxicating feeling. We’re always excited when our friends in high places share our goods with their loyal fans. Thanks to our amazing media partners, we’ve experienced this adrenaline rush many times this year. Read on for uncommon goods that were recently recommended by a few of our favorite press outlets.
The kids will be alright—as long as you keep them entertained, stimulated, and happy! It may seem like, well, child’s play to pick out presents for the teeniest in your bunch. But in reality, kids can be some of the toughest customers come holiday time. The best strategy: Forget the trendy toy of the year, which the tots will see right through. Instead, go for gifts that’ll charm them with their uniqueness, keep their hands and minds busy, or speak specifically to them (thank you, personalization!).