15 gifts that will both delight and be actually useful

Christmas can be a very stressful time for people. Knowing what to get someone that they will like and actually use can be hard sometimes. Not everyone is good at figuring out gifts, and some people are just difficult to shop for. There are a lot of gifts that are easy, not overally expensive and something people will actually use.

1. Gift basket of their favorite treats.

If you know what the person likes to eat even a little, this is a great gift that they will love. It would be especially great for a young person, maybe that has recently moved out on their own. They might not have the money to be able to get their favorite treats all the time. So it would be something that they would really use that they would appreciate, and be a real treat.

2. Baked goods.

Baked treats are a great gift especially if you are not totally sure what the person would like. Such as teachers or co-workers. Someone that you want to get something for, but you don't know very well. If you don't want to make it yourself, a bakery or small business is a great option to get some unique and tasty treats.

3. Pamper me gift set

A lot of people, especially parents, don't take enough time for themselves. You can't give to anyone if you don't give to yourself first. Giving a pamper gift set is a great way to force them to replenish themselves. This would be great for mothers, caregivers or nurses to name a few. If you don't have a lot of money to spend, you can do a great set without spending a lot of money. The dollar store actually has some great options with some well-known brands. Get some bubble bath, epson salt, soap, candle and pedicure set all from the dollar store. You can do this set for under $10.

4. Stocking with useful items

My favorite part of Christmas for a long time was my stocking. Filled with some treats and stuff I would need to get anyways. If the person is an adult, maybe their family doesn't really celebrate Christmas, then they might not get a stocking anymore. Dollar stores have some great stocking options. Then fill it with everyday stuff they would get anyways as well as some treats. Such as toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush, soap, nail polish and shampoo to name a few. It's an easy gift for any guy that you don't know what to get for, as for me that is always the hardest especially if they don't have any hobbies.

5. Items they actually need.

Of course, this works if you know what the person really needs. Maybe it's a young person moving out soon. Think of all the little things that they most likely haven't thought about. Such as a can opener, strainer, hand towel or ice cube tray. Maybe it's a new mom or mom-to-be. Get items like baby cloths, pacifiers, lotions and baby wipes.

6. Digital reading subscription

This would be great for any person that loves to read or that wants to read more. Instead of getting them a few books, which can be expensive, get them a digital reading subscription. Such as one called Scribd, which you can pay to read both books and magazines. You can actually cost you less, and they will get access to a lot books.

7. Might Nest Subscription

Might nest subscription is a subscription that gives you one eco-friendly item every month. The idea is that you can make one change every month, just one. Being more eco-friendly can be an overwhelming thought, there's a lot that you can change. This will make it a little easier. And it's only $11 a month. So you can get 6 months for only $66 or 12 months for only $110. And they will get a useful item every month so they can make one change.

https://mightynest.com/gift-the-mightyfix

8. Bath advent calendar

Advent calendars make a great gift as they get a great value. You can find an advent calendar for almost everything. The Body shop has a great bath and body advent calendar. They have 3 on their website, basically small medium large. Their small one is only $89.99, and you get a great value for your money.

https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-ca/gift/beauty-advent-calendars/share-the-joy-advent-calendar/p/p086000

9. Popcorn advent calendar

Who doesn't love popcorn? If you are looking for a gift for a family, this would make a great gift. There is a UK company called Joe & Seph's that has an advent calendar. They make some unique flavors. The calendar is basically caramel popcorn. But it is only 30 pounds.

https://www.joeandsephs.co.uk/gifts/gourmet-popcorn-advent-calendar

10. Wine advent calendar

Yes this is a thing. Costco sells a wine advent calendar. Great for any wine lover. You get 24 bottles of wine. It is only $89.99 Canadian, so I have been told.

11. Tickets for a show or experience

Who says that a gift has to be an actual thing. You can be tickets to a show or experience. Especially if you know someone that has everything and doesn't need any more stuff. This would be great for kids, for example. If the kid has a lot of people that get them gifts, and they really don't need any more toys, then giving them tickets to something would be a much better choice. Such as ticket to Disney on Ice.

12. Movie night box

If you are getting a gift for a family, then get them a movie night box. You can do this one of two ways. Either get them a movie, from Walmart for example, then get some popcorn and some candy. Or you can make a gift basket filled with movie night things. Such as popcorn, popcorn holders, candy and drinks. So they can watch their own movie with your treats.

13. A family game

Sticking with the family theme, get them a game that they can play together. You can just get them a game, age appropriate for their family. Or go a little extra and get them treats for their family game night.

14. Sentimental gifts

Nowadays you can put a picture on anything. Shutterfly is a great online company that will put a picture on anything you would like basically. You can do one family picture if you have one. Or you can do a design with multliple pictures if you don't have one with everyone. You can make a blanket with many pictures to include everyone. It would be a great gift for grandparents.

15. Course or class

Especially since the pandemic, a lot of professionals sell online classes. So if you know someone that wants to learn a new skill, get them a class that will help them sharpen their skills. Such as baking class, which How to cake it sells.

I hope that this list has helped a little bit, and given you some great gift ideas. Gifts can be a very useful thing for the person that they will really enjoy, and doesn't have to break the bank.

-T