Useful Things to Ask for Christmas: A Practical Wishlist Guide

When someone asks you what you want for Christmas, the default answer is “I don’t know” or “nothing.” The problem is that when you don’t give people ideas, you end up with gifts you don’t need, don’t want, and can’t return. The right approach is to make a wishlist of useful things, things you’d actually use, and things that would improve your life. This guide covers useful things to ask for Christmas, what to skip, and how to make a practical wishlist.

Useful things to ask for Christmas covers the practical, functional gift ideas that a person would actually use during the holiday season and beyond, including home upgrades, tech, tools, experiences, and consumables. The best useful gifts are quality, practical, and improve daily life. The worst are novelty, impractical, or end up in a drawer.

The right useful things to ask for Christmas are practical and improve your life. Here’s what to ask for, what to skip, and how to make a wishlist.

Useful Things to Ask for Christmas by Category

Home Upgrades

Home upgrades are the gifts that replace old, worn-out items. They’re the gifts that improve your daily life.

Good picks:

• A new coffee maker (if yours is old or basic)
• A quality pillow (if yours is flat)
• A good set of sheets (if yours are worn)
• A new bath towel set (if yours are thin)
• A quality throw blanket (for the couch)
• A good air purifier (for allergies or clean air)
• A quality humidifier (for dry winter air)
• A good vacuum (if yours is old)
• A quality kitchen knife (if yours is dull)
• A good cutting board (if yours is worn)
• A quality blender (if yours is old)
• A good toaster (if yours is old)

What to skip:

• A home item that doesn’t match your style
• A home item that’s too cheap (choose quality)
• A home item that’s too similar to what you already have

Tech and Gadgets

Tech and gadgets are the gifts that make life easier and more fun. They’re the items you’d use every day.

Good picks:

• A good pair of wireless earbuds (for music, podcasts, or calls)
• A portable charger or power bank (for travel or emergencies)
• A small Bluetooth speaker (for music at home or outside)
• A smart home device (Echo Dot, Google Nest, or a smart plug)
• A good phone case (in a style you like)
• A tablet (for reading, watching, or browsing)
• A good pair of headphones (for music or TV)
• A Bluetooth tracker (Tile, AirTag, for finding keys or wallet)
• A streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, or Chromecast)
• A good charging station (for your phone, watch, and earbuds)
• A good webcam (for video calls)
• A good e-reader (for reading)

What to skip:

• Tech you won’t use (a smart speaker for someone who doesn’t use technology)
• Tech that’s too complicated (a gadget you won’t figure out)
• Tech that’s too similar to what you already have

Tools and Hardware

Tools and hardware are the gifts that are practical and useful. They’re the items that help you fix, build, and maintain.

Good picks:

• A good pocket knife or a multi-tool (Leatherman, Victorinox)
• A good flashlight or a headlamp (Streamlight, Fenix)
• A quality tool set or a specific tool you need
• A good drill or a driver (if you don’t have one)
• A good set of drill bits or screwdriver bits
• A good level (laser or traditional)
• A good pair of work gloves
• A tool bag or a tool organizer

What to skip:

• Tools you already have
• Tools that are too cheap (they’ll break)
• Tools that are too specialized (you won’t use them)

Experiences

Experiences are the gifts that create memories. They’re the gifts that don’t add clutter and that you’ll remember.

Good picks:

• A dinner at a nice restaurant
• A spa day or a massage
• Tickets to a game, a concert, or a show
• A cooking class or a wine tasting
• A weekend trip or a night at a hotel
• A museum membership or a zoo pass
• A subscription (a streaming service, a meal delivery, or a book box)

What to skip:

• An experience that’s too far away (you won’t go)
• An experience that requires a lot of planning (you won’t do it)
• An experience that’s too physical (if you have mobility issues)

Consumables

Consumables are the gifts that get used up and don’t add clutter. They’re the gifts that are practical and enjoyable.

Good picks:

• A box of premium coffee or tea (from a quality roaster)
• A bottle of wine or a spirit (your favorite, or a special bottle)
• A box of chocolates or a gourmet dessert
• A set of artisanal jams, honeys, or sauces
• A set of premium olive oils or balsamic vinegars
• A subscription box (a monthly coffee, snack, or beauty subscription)

What to skip:

• Food or drink you don’t like
• Food that will expire before you eat it
• Too much food (a giant basket you can’t finish)

Personal Care

Personal care items are the gifts that help you feel good. They’re the items that are practical and enjoyable.

Good picks:

• A quality skincare set (from a brand you use)
• A good pair of slippers (if yours are worn)
• A quality bath robe (in a soft material)
• A good sleep mask (for better sleep)
• A quality eye cream (for tired eyes)
• A good water bottle (Hydro Flask, Yeti, or Nalgene)
• A quality gym bag (if you exercise)

What to skip:

• Skincare for a skin type you don’t have
• A scent you don’t like
• Anti-aging products (unless you specifically asked)

Gift Cards

Gift cards are the gifts that give you choice. They’re the gifts that let you buy what you need.

Good picks:

• A gift card to a store you shop at (Target, Amazon, a grocery store)
• A gift card to a restaurant you like
• A gift card to a coffee shop (Starbucks, or a local shop)
• A gift card to a bookstore (if you read)
• A gift card to a gas station (practical)

What to skip:

• A gift card to a store you don’t shop at
• A gift card with a small amount (it’s not useful)
• A gift card that expires quickly

How to Make a Christmas Wishlist

Think about what you need. What’s worn out? What’s broken? What’s old? An upgrade is the answer.

Think about what you’d use every day. A coffee maker, a pillow, a phone case. These are the items that improve daily life.

Think about what you wouldn’t buy for yourself. A luxury, a treat, a quality item. These are the items that make a gift special.

Think about what you’d enjoy. An experience, a consumable, a hobby item. These are the items that bring joy.

Give a range of price points. Include items at $10, $25, $50, and $100. This gives people options.

Be specific. Don’t say “a coffee maker.” Say “a Ninja coffee maker, model XYZ.” This ensures you get what you want.

Include a link. If you have a specific item in mind, include a link. This makes it easy for the giver.

What to Skip Entirely

Novelty items. A novelty item is fun for 10 seconds and then it’s trash. Skip it.

Items you already have. Don’t ask for a second coffee maker, a second flashlight, or a second tool set.

Items that are too expensive. A $300 gift is too much for most people. Choose items in the $10 to $100 range.

Items that are too cheap. A $3 item is not worth asking for. Choose items that are quality.

Items that are too niche. A specialized tool or hobby item for a hobby you don’t have is a waste.

Items that are too personal. Clothing in the wrong size, perfume in a specific scent, or anti-aging products can be too personal.

FAQ

What are useful things to ask for Christmas? Useful things to ask for include home upgrades (a coffee maker, a pillow, sheets), tech and gadgets (wireless earbuds, a portable charger, a Bluetooth speaker), tools (a pocket knife, a flashlight, a tool set), experiences (a dinner, a spa day, tickets), consumables (coffee, wine, chocolate), personal care (skincare, slippers, a water bottle), and gift cards (to a store, restaurant, or coffee shop you use).

How do I make a Christmas wishlist? Think about what you need (what’s worn out, broken, or old), what you’d use every day, what you wouldn’t buy for yourself, and what you’d enjoy. Give a range of price points ($10, $25, $50, $100). Be specific (include the model or brand). Include a link if possible.

What should I avoid asking for Christmas? Avoid novelty items, items you already have, items that are too expensive, items that are too cheap, items that are too niche (for a hobby you don’t have), and items that are too personal (clothing in the wrong size, perfume).

What are the most useful things to ask for Christmas? The most useful things are a new coffee maker, a quality pillow, a good set of sheets, a good pair of wireless earbuds, a portable charger, a good pocket knife, a good flashlight, a box of premium coffee, a quality water bottle, and a gift card to a store you shop at.

What are useful things to ask for Christmas as an adult? As an adult, ask for home upgrades (a coffee maker, a pillow, sheets), tech (wireless earbuds, a portable charger), tools (a pocket knife, a flashlight), experiences (a dinner, a spa day), consumables (coffee, wine), personal care (skincare, slippers), and gift cards (to a store or restaurant you use).

What are useful things to ask for Christmas as a teenager? As a teenager, ask for tech (wireless earbuds, a portable charger, a phone case), a good video game, a quality pair of sneakers, a good backpack, a gift card to a store you shop at, a subscription (streaming, music), and a quality water bottle.

What are good stocking stuffers to ask for? Good stocking stuffers to ask for include a quality lip balm, a good pair of socks, a good chocolate, a good pen, a small notebook, a quality hand cream, a good charging cable, a small portable charger, and a $10 gift card. These are all under $25.

References

• Good Housekeeping. “Christmas Wishlist Ideas.” https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/gift-ideas/g2601/christmas-wishlist-ideas/
• Real Simple. “What to Ask for Christmas.” https://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/gifts/what-to-ask-for-christmas
• New York Times Wirecutter. “Gift Guide.” https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/