Practical Holiday Gifts

I’ve mentioned many times in the past that I don’t especially enjoy giving or receiving gifts in most situations. I always appreciate gifts given for the right reasons, but sadly, most of the time, we feel the need to buy things for others out of obligation and we often spend too much. Right now is prime gift season, and since I’m not ready to be a total Scrooge, here are my best ideas for practical holiday gifts.

Health Related Gifts

Being in the medical field, I think giving practical holiday gifts that improve overall health and well being are fantastic. While giving a gift certificate to the dentist or eye doctor might not be mainstream, I can speak from experience that people who receive those are ecstatic. After all, who enjoys paying for contacts or teeth cleanings?

Also, instead of giving cookies or fattening treats this season, why not help someone get healthy? Of course you don’t want to offend by making loved ones think they are out of shape or unattractive, but you probably have a gut feeling about who would be receptive to this sort of gift.

There are tons of health related possibilities.

• Glasses (regular, computer, or reading)
• Contacts
• Sunglasses
• Teeth Whitening
• Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband, Black, Small/Large
• Massage
• Facials/Dermatology
• Monthly Gym Pass
• Black Mountain Products Resistance Band Set with Door Anchor, Ankle Strap, Exercise Chart, and Carrying Case
• Beachbody Focus T25 Shaun T's DVD Workout Program | Comprehensive Fitness Guide & Nutrition Plan Included
• Mail Order Juice or Meal Delivery

The possibilities are endless!

Gifts to Help Cut Cable

Since cutting the cord a couple of years back, I’ve been telling everyone who will listen how unnecessary cable or satellite TV really is. Tons of people find the benefits of on demand and streaming services every day, but there are still lots of holdouts who are stuck in their habits. These folks are throwing money down the drain every month because they don’t understand how easy and functional cheaper TV alternatives really are.

Using a Roku 4 | HD and 4K UHD Streaming Media Player with Enhanced Remote (Voice Search, Lost Remote Finder, and Headphone), Quad-Core Processor, Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB Port or Amazon Fire TV Stick - Previous Generation is very simple and inexpensive, and you can give gift subscriptions or gift cards for Amazon Prime, Netflix, or Hulu. By giving long time subscribers the tools to move beyond the ball and chain of a monthly cable bill, your gift could end up saving them thousands of dollars over time.

Travel Gifts

I realize there are people who don’t enjoy travel, but a big reason many people don’t take time off is because of money. Vacations are important for our health, productivity, and attitude.

Probably the best gift I’ve ever given was a week long vacation. When I knew I was about to sell my optometry practice, I gave a long term employee and his wife a trip of their choosing to anywhere in the US. I’m sure he doesn’t remember any of the other gifts I gave over the years, but I’m sure he will remember that one forever.

You don’t have to be that extreme. Giving a night at a local hotel or even a gift card to help cover lodging, airfare, or gas for a trip could be the boost someone needs to take a much needed and well deserved vacation.

Gift Cards

I’ve heard many times that giving gift cards is not personal, and I know that many people don’t redeem them or even worse, end up spending on unnecessary things because they have a gift card. However, if you buy the right person the right gift card, it means you know them well enough to know this is one of the best practical holiday gifts.

The trick is to give a gift card that is easy to use in a timely manner. One year we got a gift for Regal Cinemas, which would have been fantastic except that the nearest one is four hours away. Needless to say, that gift card sat in my purse for a couple of years before I finally sold it for less than face value on eBay.

Also, don’t buy someone a gift card you hope they will use. Maybe you think your in-laws should take dance lessons because you love dancing, but in reality, there is no chance on earth they will ever use this gift.

Choose something you know that person uses already, even if it’s boring. Grocery stores, gas stations,Target, Wal-Mart, Jiffy Lube; all those are practical and will get used. Maybe it’s not glamorous, but I’d much rather have $20 to spend on Amazon than any potholder/cookie jar/candle.

Practical Holiday Gifts Can be Unique

There are also ways that practical holiday gifts can be unique. When you buy someone something you know they will use but are unlikely to buy for themselves, this equates to the holy grail of gift giving. There are as many possibilities as there are personalities, but here are some of the better ones I’ve received over the years.

• BOB Sport Utility Single Stroller, Orange for pregnant runners- It beats getting 50 size three months onesies!
• A huge bag of dog food when we had three dogs.
• Crock-Pot SCCPVL600-S Crockpot, 6 Qt, Stainless– I love the idea but would have never bought my own for some reason.
• An PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag with Zip Closure, Black– One of my favorite gifts ever!
• Carry-on Size Suitcase
• Car Detail Gift Certificate
• Philips Sonicare 2 Series plaque control rechargeable electric toothbrush, HX6211/30

Here’s to hoping you don’t have to end up gifting Pajamagrams or Chia Pets this holiday season!

What is the best practical gift you’ve ever received? Would you rather have a set of mugs or a gift card?

Written By

Sydney White

Sydney White is a Texas-born stay at home mom who enjoys spending time with her family, bargain hunting and, hiking.