6 Simple Gifts That Make Life a Little Better

Have you ever been in a situation where you’re obligated to give a gift to someone you don’t know very well?

After painstakingly searching everywhere, you still have no idea what to get. Finally, you settle on a generic gift. A gift that isn’t particularly useful or meaningful to the person, but one that you know won’t be taken the wrong way.

And when you finally give the gift, the recipient politely thanks you. Yet both of you know that this gift is definitely not going to be useful. It is simply a gift of obligation, for formality’s sake.

Instead, how about giving a gift that will get used again and again? One that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also practical?

I find that the best gifts are the ones you didn’t even realize you needed. The ones that you had never considered, but once received, they changed your life for the better. It’s the gift that keeps giving.

With that in mind, here are 6 gifts that will make someone’s life a little better:

1. Coffee mug warmer

On an everyday basis, there are few things more aggravating than to lift your half-drunken coffee and realize it’s gone cold. You either have to get up and microwave it or settle for cold coffee. For those who like to savor their hot beverages, a coffee mug warmer is an absolute life-saver.

The coffee mug warmer can be used to keep any drink warm, such as tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. You can even keep your food warm. The coffee mug warmer keeps your beverage at a nice level of warm rather than piping hot.

I know people who have bought several coffee mug warmers for their friends, family, and coworkers — but it’s also good to buy multiples if you split your time between work and home.

View: Coffee mug warmer

2. Robot vacuum

You can have the nicest, most expensive vacuum cleaner in the world. But if it’s sitting in your closet collecting dust, what’s the point?

A lot of people just can’t be bothered to vacuum their living space every week. You can’t blame them, either. Vacuuming is a tedious and time-consuming task.

Enter the Roomba. This is one of those gifts that will get used again and again. As in, weekly or even daily. It’s also mesmerizing to watch a robot vacuum go about cleaning a room by itself.

View: Robot vacuum

3. Blank note cards and envelopes

I used to think to myself, “Why bother sending a handwritten card? I can just send an email instead. It’s fast, free, and easy!” That may be true, but the problem is that most people nowadays think the same. Unfortunately, getting yet another email expressing congratulations or gratitude is forgettable.

An actual physical card that comes through the mail, though, is not. I can clearly remember all the cards I’ve received via snail mail in the past year (and even before that). In an age where email has become rampant, receiving a card is almost unusual these days.

While a card is not a “practical” gift, it stands out because of the sheer novelty of it. It’s such a simple way to thank someone that you might not much think of doing so, but the fact that someone would care enough to send a handwritten card through the mail goes a long way.

View: Blank note cards and envelopes

4. Smart speaker

We’re all looking for ways to make our life more enjoyable. Or at the very least, more convenient. This is where a smart speaker comes into play. It does both.

A smart speaker, such as the Echo Dot, can do all sorts of things using voice commands. It can play music, answer questions, control other parts of the home, or connect with other people, all hands-free. That means listening to your favorite music while chopping vegetables or dimming the lights from your couch before watching a movie.

View: Smart speaker

5. E-reader

Books can be clunky and hard to carry around, especially when traveling. I know, because I used to plan which book to bring when I was going away for periods of time. The book would take up precious space and weight, and only bringing a single book meant a lack of reading variety.

If you know someone who loves to read, an e-reader will make their life that much better. E-readers, such as the Kindle, allow you to pack light, switch between books and audio books, and can carry thousands of books. All within a backpack pocket.

View: E-reader

6. Ultra compact microfiber towel

A big, fluffy towel is great. It’s warm, it’s comfortable, and it dries you. There’s no issue with using a regular towel… when you’re at home. But when you go outside, bringing along a giant towel can be inconvenient and bulky, if not downright impractical.

Gifting an ultra compact microfiber towel to an outdoor enthusiast ensures that it will be put to good use. It’s convenient to carry and pack, dries fast, and is surprisingly absorbent. This towel is good for going to the beach, traveling, camping, or hitting the gym. Some people own multiples for different occasions.

It’s one of those gifts, once given, that makes the recipient wonder how they managed all that time without it.

View: Ultra compact microfiber towel