Small, Useful Gifts: Things People Actually Use

You know that cupboard where well-meant presents go to retire? The slogan candle, the third bottle opener, the mug that matches nothing. Small, useful gifts are the opposite: things that actually get picked up every day, that fix a small annoyance or that simply get used up. Here are ideas, sorted by where they'll end up being used.

What makes a gift genuinely useful

A few questions help you sort the good from the clutter:

• Will it be used at least once a week? Then it stands a good chance of staying out of the cupboard.
• Does it solve a real problem? Keys that are never where you left them. Soap that goes mushy in the dish. A charging cable that's always too short.
• Does it get used up? Consumables are never clutter, as long as they're enjoyed.
• Does it fit with what's already there? The best practical gifts replace something rather than adding to the pile.

Useful gifts for the kitchen

• A good paring knife or a sharp peeler. Small, cheap and used daily.
• Beeswax wraps for covering bowls and wrapping bread.
• Quality spices, such as a special salt or a pepper you won't find at the supermarket.
• A tea towel that actually dries, in linen or waffle cotton. Sounds dull, gets used every day.

Practical gifts for the bathroom

Bathrooms are full of small irritations that can be fixed for very little money. The best known: the soap dish with a soggy bar sitting in it. That's exactly why we came up with the Soapi. You press a bottle cap halfway into a bar of soap, and the bar hangs from the magnet on the wall and dries all the way round instead of going soft in a dish. The basin stays clean, and the soap lasts longer because it can dry between washes. It works with solid shampoo in the shower, too.

The Soapi costs €12.95, comes in ten colours and sticks on without drilling using a waterproof adhesive pad on tiles, glass, mirrors or stainless steel. Press it on, hang the soap, done. It comes with a 10-year durability guarantee and holds 4.88 out of 5 stars from over 1,600 reviews. Pair it with a good bar from our range of soaps and shampoos: solid soap doesn't need a plastic bottle and makes a lovely gift. How to wrap it nicely is covered in our article on giving solid soap as a gift.

More bathroom ideas: a good towel in a favourite colour, a safety razor with spare blades, or a brush with a wooden handle.

Useful gifts for the hallway and on the go

• A water bottle that genuinely doesn't leak.
• A foldable shopping bag for a coat pocket.
• A small first-aid pouch for the bike or rucksack.
• A proper home for the keys. Our magnetic key holder for €11.95 holds a steel key ring, even heavy bunches with a car key. It sticks on without drilling to smooth surfaces by the door, such as tiles, glass, metal or a smooth door. Anyone who hunts for their keys every morning will appreciate it.

Thoughtful Christmas gifts without an object: give time

Sometimes the most useful gift isn't a thing at all:

• A voucher for cooking together, with a date attached so it actually happens.
• Babysitting for parents who haven't eaten out alone in months.
• Help with something specific: fixing a bike, hanging a lamp, sorting out paperwork.
• A day out somewhere neither of you has been.

If you're interested in what to look out for in terms of materials and lifespan more generally, our guide to sustainable gift ideas goes into more detail.

Several small gifts in one go: Mix & Match

In December you rarely need just one small, useful thing. With Mix & Match you choose 5 products, pay €50 and get free shipping within Germany. That's €10 per gift. You can combine Soapis in all ten colours, the key holder, soaps, shower soap, solid shampoo and children's soaps. So your sister gets a Lavender Soapi, your dad the key holder, your god-daughter a children's soap and your friends a soap plus shampoo.

FAQ

What are small, useful gifts under €15?

A good paring knife, a bar of solid soap, a linen tea towel, a Soapi for €12.95, a key holder for €11.95, or the Starter Kit with Soapi, soap and bottle cap for €14.95.

Is the Soapi suitable for rented flats?

Yes. It sticks on without drilling and comes off tiles and glass without residue. It shouldn't be stuck onto painted or wallpapered walls.

What if the person doesn't use solid soap?

Then the Soapi is a good way in, because it removes the biggest drawback of solid soap: going soggy in the dish. Otherwise, the key holder is a good alternative.

In short

Small, useful gifts don't need to be spectacular. They just need to be used: every morning at the basin, every evening at the front door, every week in the kitchen. If you need several at once, put together your Mix & Match bundle now: 5 items for €50.