Creative, thoughtful, and actually useful gifts that are way better than a gift card.
No matter how long they’ve been in your life or how well you know them, finding the perfect gift for an extremely practical person can feel like an unsolvable puzzle. When you really want to show your appreciation with a thoughtful present that will make them feel special, there are very few things as frustrating as the well-meaning but uninspired “I don’t need anything” reply.
While there isn't any one magical gift that’s guaranteed to blow them away and change life as they know it, even the most down-to-earth people have daily routines and beloved activities where a thoughtful, utility-focused gift can bring unexpected joy and genuine appreciation. If you’re tempted to give up and go with the fail-safe gift card or new pair of socks, these little luxuries and everyday upgrades would make a great gift for just about anyone.
Here are the best practical gifts that anyone would love to unwrap:
Glerups Unisex Indoor/Outdoor Slippers with Rubber Sole (This link opens in a new tab)
These rubber sole Glerup slippers are the ideal combination of luxury and practicality. They are handcrafted from 100% natural, no-itch wool, which is naturally temperature regulating, incredibly soft, and moulds to the foot's shape for a custom-like fit. The rubber sole gives them extra traction on slick floors like hardwood, or during outdoor errands like picking up the mail or walking the dog. The antimicrobial wool controls odours even with everyday wear, and naturally wicks away moisture to keep feet warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Available in 16 sizes and 12 colours.
The Roasters Pack Holiday Gift Set (This link opens in a new tab)
The Roasters Pack Holiday Gift Set is a coffee lover's dream, with everything they need for the ultimate at-home brewing experience. It comes with three unique whole-bean coffees from small-batch Canadian roasters (including light, medium, and dark roast), complete with tasting notes and brew guides to make the most out of every sip. It also features Jessica Easto’s Craft Coffee to help them master the perfect cup, a sleek Kinto ceramic cup, and a coffee-tasting journal to log their favourites. As a sweet little bonus, there’s a perfect chocolate pairing with Sirene’s Winter Warmer 65% dark chocolate, crafted in Victoria, B.C.
Baggu Puffy Picnic Blanket (This link opens in a new tab)
If you thought Baggu’s collapsible totes were the peak of cute, practical gifts, they’ve taken it to the next level with the puffy picnic blanket. Thoughtful, portable, and eco-friendly, the quilted ripstop blanket is made of durable but lightweight recycled materials. It’s compact and easy to carry with a built-in strap and velcro closure, and it’s machine washable so they won’t have to worry about spills or sand during their outdoor adventures.
Available in five colours.
Coway Airmega 150 Air Purifier (This link opens in a new tab)
This Coway Airmega air purifier is a thoughtful and practical gift for anyone looking to breathe a little easier and enjoy a cleaner home. It’s powerful enough to purify spaces up to 518 square feet in just 30 minutes, and it has a compact, minimalist design that unobtrusively fits into any small space or decor style. The HyperCaptive Filtration System combines a washable pre-filter, deodorization filter, and Green True HEPA Filter to capture 99.999% of ultra-fine particles, allergens and odours, especially perfect for pet owners or anyone who suffers from allergies. The intuitive cartridge design makes filter changes mess-free, and it’s packed with features like real-time air quality monitoring, auto-adjusting fan speeds, and whisper-quiet operation.
Available in three colours.
Graza "Sizzle" Extra Virgin Olive Oil (This link opens in a new tab)
Olive oil is a pantry staple worth upgrading, and Graza's "Sizzle" EVOO is the ultimate gift for home cooks who love to turn up the heat in the kitchen. Made from 100% Picual olives harvested at their peak in Jaén, Spain, it’s specially crafted for high-heat cooking with its mellow flavour and high smoke point. Graza also has it down when it comes to practical packaging, with the innovative BPA-free bottle that is made to be squeezed for precise, no-mess pouring, and refills available in perfectly portioned and 100% recyclable cans designed to keep the olive oil super fresh.
Silk & Snow Hand-Knitted Weighted Blanket (This link opens in a new tab)
This hand-knitted weighted blanket from Silk & Snow is like giving somebody a big, comforting hug. It’s handcrafted from 100% natural cotton to provide all of the beneficial, stress-reducing coziness of a traditional weighted blanket, without the bulky feel or glass and plastic pellets found in other weighted blankets. The breathable, chunky knit will add a sophisticated, timeless design element to their space, and the machine-washable material makes it super easy to care for.
Available in five sizes and eight colours.
Back to the Roots Self-Watering Terracotta Olla Pot (This link opens in a new tab)
This self-watering terracotta pot is the gift every plant lover didn’t know they needed. Inspired by a 4,000-year-old gardening tool, this microporous clay pot takes the guesswork out of watering by slowly releasing just the right amount of water through osmosis. It has a 700-millilitre capacity and 18-inch coverage area to provide up to a week of precision watering, enough to keep two large plants happy during long weekends away. It has a weather-proof rubber stopper that prevents evaporation, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
Butter Bell The Original Butter Bell Crock (This link opens in a new tab)
The French know their butter, and their word is pretty much gold with the ‘beurrier’. With a modernized take on the authentic pot-a-beurre, the Butter Bell is a chic and effective way to keep your butter fresh and spreadable. The two-piece ceramic storage container uses a simple water-seal method to maintain butter without refrigeration for up to 30 days.
L'Occitane Reusable Squeezing Magic Key (This link opens in a new tab)
This small but game-changing tool from L’Occitane will help them get every last drop from their favourite creams, lotions, and toothpaste tubes. It's easy to use and reduces waste, perfect for anyone who values practicality, sustainability, and getting the most out of their beauty products.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Instant Camera (This link opens in a new tab)
The hobby photographer or nostalgic archivist in your life will love making instant memories with the Fujifilm Instax. Compact and sleek, this camera delivers sharp, vibrant prints every time with built-in automatic exposure and a one-touch selfie mode that captures close-up shots clearly. It’s a user-friendly update with a retro design that feels modern and vintage at the same time, delivering timeless prints and an immediate, tangible memory that digital just photography can't replicate.
Saje Aroma Horizon Car Diffuser (This link opens in a new tab)
Transform their commute into a calming escape with this portable car diffuser from Sage. Designed to deliver soothing aromatherapy on the go, it’s an excellent gift for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road.
Black & Decker Advanced Handheld Fabric Steamer (This link opens in a new tab)
This highly rated handheld steamer from Black + Decker is a great way to gift somebody an everyday upgrade. It has 1400 watts of power and a quick preheat time, tackling stubborn wrinkles with a continuous stream or a burst of steam. It’s got a lightweight build, features a 15-foot cord to give a little extra reach so they can easily steam everything from clothes to drapes, and includes three attachments for delicate fabrics, upholstery and lint removal.
Arc'teryx Mantis 1 Waist Pack (This link opens in a new tab)
The Mantis waist pack from Arc'teryx is a versatile bag designed for anyone who likes to travel light. Perfect for short hikes, sightseeing, or as a secondary pack on longer adventures, it has an adjustable webbing belt that allows it to be worn cross-body or around the waist. It’s got lots of pockets and a key clip, and it’s made of 100% recycled polyester with a durable water-repellent finish.
Available in two colours.
BenQ Eye Care Computer Monitor (This link opens in a new tab)
Perfect for professionals, students, or anyone who spends long hours in front of a screen, this monitor is designed to reduce eye strain and filter out harmful blue-violet light. It delivers sharp visuals and a seamless viewing experience, with multiple ports that make it easy to switch between devices and dedicated settings like Coding Mode and ePaper Mode that help to optimize specific tasks.
Available in four sizes.
PowerXL StirMax Multi-Cooker (This link opens in a new tab)
If you know someone who loves to cook but doesn’t have much time to spend in the kitchen, this PowerXL multi-cooker can simplify the experience and deliver consistently delicious results. It handles all the heavy lifting with its innovative StirMax technology, featuring a 360° automatic paddle that can stir, shred, and perfectly prepare meals like soups, stews and risotto up to 60% faster. The generous 7.5-quart capacity holds enough to feed the whole family or entertain guests, and it comes pre-programmed with nine cooking presets like BraiseMax and StirMax that make multi-step recipes like searing and simmering as simple as pressing a button.
Dash Mini Donut Maker (This link opens in a new tab)
A practical gift can still be fun, like this mini donut maker from Dash that promises to zhuzh up the breakfast table and streamline snacktime. The compact kitchen gadget whips up seven perfectly cute and tasty mini donuts in just minutes, with a nonstick surface and a one-step plug-and-play setup that makes the whole process and cleanup as simple as it gets. It’s a fun and easy way to bring big families, picky eaters and busy schedules together with a homemade treat, and it comes with a recipe guide to get the ball rolling right out of the box.
Available in two colours.
HyperChiller Instant Coffee/Beverage Cooler (This link opens in a new tab)
The Hyperchiller is an ingenious beverage cooler that can chill hot coffee, tea, wine, or other drinks in under 60 seconds. It uses a patented water-based cooling system with no chemicals or gels involved, and it’s compatible with virtually any coffee maker, from single-cup brewers to drip models. It’s dishwasher safe and extremely easy to use, you just fill the two chambers up with water and stick it in the freezer, then pour your hot beverage into the centre and within a minute it will be nice and chilled.
Meater Pro (This link opens in a new tab)
The Meater wireless meat thermometer is an exciting gift for anyone who loves to cook, grill, or smoke meat. The sleek, Bluetooth smart thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking using advanced sensors, real-time temperature monitoring and high-heat capabilities, whether they’re roasting in the oven, barbecuing, or cooking over an open flame. It has a 165-foot range and an app that can provide step-by-step guidance, alerts, and cooking completion estimates.
Hamilton Beach Personal Blender with Travel Lid (This link opens in a new tab)
This compact personal blender is a game-changer for busy mornings and on-the-go lifestyles. With one touch, It effortlessly blends smoothies, shakes, and more, all directly into a travel-friendly (and dishwasher-safe) cup with a secure lid.
Available in four colours.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes.
