Top Practical Gifts to Give This Holiday

How’s your holiday gift shopping going? If you’re stumped for ideas, keep reading! While it may sound a bit boring, I’m all about practical gifts that will actually be used, and won’t just collect dust or end up in a landfill in six months. Here are some practical holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list…

On the go…

Monogrammed leather luggage tag

Monogrammed leather luggage tags – $59

Travel in style, and find your bag on the carousel more easily! Yes, there’s till time to get them personalized.

Compression packing cubes – $29.99

Stay organized and save space in your luggage. I have my eye on this set, which has an easy zipper compression feature. Get each family member their own colored set, so everyone can find their stuff easily.

RFID-blocking wallet/passport case

RFID-blocking wallet – $120

I’ve been looking for one of these for myself, and like how this one is compact, but would still hold what I need to carry.

Silk sleep mask – $39.95

I never travel without one of these! They block ambient light so I can catch those zzzz’s.

zippered travel jewelry case

Zipped jewelry travel case – $79

So many jewelry travel cases I see are boxy and bulky. This one is slim and compact, and fits easily into a carry-on or personal item luggage. (Even though I don’t travel with fine jewelry, I prefer to keep with me rather than in a checked bag.)

Hydrating Lip Balm – $40

🎄 Great stocking stuffer! Nourishing lips is a must-have all year long and this comes with a beautiful case.

Cozy at home…

Candle Accessories – $11.99

For that friend who always has a candle burning, this set includes a snuffer, wick trimmer and dipper (to expose buried wicks). Pair with their favorite scented candle in a gift basket.

(BTW, trimming wicks before each use helps candles burn more evenly and with less “flutter.”)

Wireless iphone charging tray – $149.99

Reduce cord clutter and charge iphone and earbuds simultaneously. I have one of these on my nightstand to keep my phone handy & charged.

Wireless charger tray for iphone and earbuds.
Aesop Reverence Aromatique handwash with pettigrain.

The best hand soap! – $46

The grains in this soap are great for smoothing rough winter skin. Super for anyone who works with their hands or loves to have their hands extra clean. This set with the hand balm is also nice.

Clothing care gift basket

Or fill with your favorite products. 😉

Fashion Fabulous…

Clothing care gift basket: lingerie bags, wool/cashmere shampoo, sweater comb, fabric steamer, wool dryer balls

Medium Lock Crossbody – $325

This Medium Crossbody by MZ Wallace strikes the perfect balance between style and function. Compact yet practical, it’s a thoughtful gift for someone who appreciates timeless design and everyday elegance.

Black Luxury Liberty print scarf – $155

If you’ve been reading Une Femme for a while, you know I have a soft spot for scarves. They’re timeless, versatile, and always make a thoughtful gift. A beautiful scarf adds just the right touch of color and warmth to elevate even the simplest outfit.

What are some of your favorite practical gifts?

Pets Gift Guide

And don’t forget Fido…

Holiday schedule

I have family in town for the next couple of weeks, so posting my be lighter than usual. If you’ve subscribed to my newsletter, you’ll be notified of any new posts. And I’ll be sharing more exclusive content with my subscribers in the new year, so don’t miss out! Sign up HERE.

Susan B. sits on a wooden bench wearing a brown knit jacket, blue jeans and colorful bracelets.

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13 Comments

  1. All wonderful ideas,( of course many will end being ‘gifted’ to me),thanks, Susan!
    Have a fabulous week with family! Happy Holidays xx

    1. Susan, I purchased the faux fur pet throw. The website says it reverses to 100% polyester velboa in mushroom (color) but for the life of me I cannot figure out how. It seems like it is just ivory. Have you figured out how to reverse yours? (The shop folks don’t stock it, so help by phone is minimal!) Thanks if you can help! And Happy Hanukkah! -Elizabeth

      1. Hi Elizabeth, mine is Ivory. I wasn’t aware it was supposed to be reversible. The other side is a plain fabric.

  2. Some great gift ideas there, particularly the travel jewellery case. Most of my gifts are very practical (except for the children) and include a snazzy shopping trolley (for my sister), a TENS machine for my brother, gift vouchers for massages, handy password books (as recommended by Jennifer AWSL) silk pillowcase for a niece and extendable back scratchers. Have a great time with your family, stay safe and healthy.

  3. A small personal recommendation. I need a contoured eye mask because I cannot sleep if the fabric is touching my eyes. After lots and lots of looking around, I found the Fisher’s Finery contoured silk eye mask. If someone else has this same personal quirk, I recommend the Fisher’s.

  4. I love my water bottle carrier. It is insulated, machine washable, and has a pocket for my phone and another for cash, with a cross body strap. For cooks, digital meat thermometers are good stocking stuffers, as well as no cut gloves to wear when using a grater or mandolin or sharp knife. Compression socks are good for travelers.

  5. I have a smaller, dual-voltage steamer with a folding handle (also by Conair) that I use constantly and always travel with. Great gift for international travelers!

  6. Thank you Susan, you’ve reminded me to put a lingerie wash bag in my daughter’s stocking (she’s leaving home for university in Feb) and to try a sleep mask myself (sunrise and birdsong are waking me at 5am daily). Saving the candle accessories set idea too – I love a useful gift.
    Enjoy having your family in town xx

  7. Great list of gifts Sue, I’ll be looking at the cashmere comb for myself! (I used to have one from Brora, which I loved but unfortunately lost.) Enjoy your time with your family, Merry Christmas!

  8. I tried some Woolite brand dryer balls, and they made my cottons “squeeky”. I tried a different brand, Woolzies, and those are absolutely wonderful. My cottons are nice and soft. I have no idea why the Woolite balls had such a different outcome than the Woolzies, but I would definitely recommend the Woolzies.
    They are both labelled as 100 % wool. Strange.