November 20, 2023 By Sandra Gordon 85 Comments

Great gift ideas for grownups

With the pressure on to pick the perfect thing for everyone on your list, let’s take a breather for a second to play detective.

“Picking out the perfect gift is really just about picking up on the subtle clues we’re always dropping about ourselves,” says Aileen Avery, a Los Angeles gift expert and author of Gift Rap: The History and Art of Gift Giving. “When people I’ve bought gifts for ask me, ‘How did you know I liked that?’ I always say, ‘I just paid attention.’”

Great Gifter Strategies:

What do giftees like? Buy more of the same (BMOTS). For example, you notice they like scented candles. Buy them a scented candle. It seems like the easy way out, but you can’t go wrong with the BMOTS strategy.
What is the giftee asking for? Some people like to create gift lists and registries. It’s tempting to go off-list because it seems so obvious to get the requested item. But, then again, you’re aiming to please and they asked for it.
What does the giftee do? Do they travel a lot? Take care of grandchildren? Play pickleball? Buy them something to enhance that activity, hobby, pasttime, vocation.
What have giftees casually told you about themselves? For example, my frugal relatives are building a house and boast about the fact they consult Dwell magazine at the local library. (Clue!) You can bet there’s a subscription to Dwell coming their way.

As you can see, the best gifts make people feel seen. The payoff for your thoughtfulness is that spark of recognition, which makes gift giving more fun and gratifying for everyone.

What should you get for the grownups on your gift giving list? Here’s a roundup of thoughtful gift ideas to get the ball rolling, with the goal of helping you personalize your product picks. (This post contains affiliate links. As always, thanks for your support!)

Tushbaby hip carrier

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Whether you (or grandma or grandpa) are multitasking in the house, out for a walk or traveling with a tot, the Tushbaby hip carrier makes the trek a lot easier, comfier and more supportive. The ergonomic hip seat, which looks like a big fanny pack, is designed to help hold a child on either side of your body to evenly distribute the baby/toddler weight to avoid straining your arms, back, hips, shoulders or neck. Tushbaby hip carrier fits newborns to 36 month-old toddlers (or up to 45lbs). Without straps to contend with, you can easily go from holding your baby to putting your baby down to walk. With Tushbaby’s integrated compartments for essentials, such as a bottle, snacks and diapers, it doubles as a diaper bag and roving food court.

Vera Bradley fleece plush throw blanket

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You may know the Vera Bradley brand for its colorful prints and quilted tote bags, crossbody bags, backpacks, duffels, satchels and travel accessories. Still, Vera Bradley’s fleece plush throw blanket is the top seller in the Fort Wayne, Indiana flagship store, where BabyProductsMom recently visited as a guest of Visit Fort Wayne. The plush throw is soft, cozy and large–measuring 50″x80.” You can really get wrapped up in it. Great for grandparents or someone on your gift list who is always chilly. From florals, paisleys, geometrics and tartan plaids, there’s a throw pattern for everybody.

Wine glasses with silicone sleeves and covers

Lifefactory Wine Glass with Wine Covers and Protective Silicone Sleeve, 4 Count (Pack of 1), Carbon, Dusty Purple, Aqua Teal, Stone Gray

When you’re outward bound with a beverage, like at the beach, the park, on the patio or on a picnic, a Life Factory wine glass with a protective silicone sleeve or the stainless Yeti Rambler has got you covered. Outdoorsy types and those who like to smuggle a glass of their fave wine into fast-casual restaurants (guilty!) will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Aura digital picture frame

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Getting cherished photos off your phone and on digital display is great way to appreciate life’s greatest joys–whether it’s a new baby or grandchild, an amazing trip you took or special moments with family and friends.
With the top-rated Aura digital frame, you can send photos and videos directly from your phone to the frame. You can also invite family and friends to add photos. The Aura digital frame offers free, unlimited storage and no fees.

Quiet Mind weighted pillow

Move over weighted blanket. The Quiet Mind weighted pillow is a next-gen weighted tool to help everyone say goodnight to insomnia and better cope with the chaos of the day. Hug away the stress or just rest the weighted pillow against your lap for 15 to 30 minutes and wait for those feel-good endorphins to work their mindset magic. Quiet Mind pillows come in three sizes–small, medium and large–matched according to bodyweight. Great for anyone who could use an extra dose of calm. (Me!)

Tripped compression packing cubes

Compression Packing Cubes for Travel - Luggage and Backpack Organizer Packaging Cubes for Clothes (White and Green, 6 Piece Set)

Frequent flyers on your list will appreciate Tripped compression packing cubes. Not your typical vacuum bags, Tripped compression packing cubes use a two-zipper system to compress clothes, save space and help eliminate the extra bulk when packing. Great for organizing your suitcase, fitting it all in one carry-on and peace of mind, especially if say–you keep an “essentials” Tripped compression packing cube or two in your carry-on bag in case of lost lugguge. (Nancy Monson, a travel writer extraordinare, swears by these and she goes everywhere.)

Ceres Chill Breastmilk Storage System

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From new parents on the go, give the gift of breastfeeding convenience. The Ceres Chill breastmilk chiller, a double-walled stainless steel, dual chambered system is a safe, discreet, convenient and sustainable way to keep 12 ounces of pumped breast milk cold for up 16+ hours and keep it with you, wherever you are. Pump right into the Ceres Chiller. Fill the outer chamber with six to eight standard ice cubes; if you need more than 16 hours, just add more ice.

Crossrope Weight Jump Rope set

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For the fitness-minded on your list, Crossrope Weighted Jump Rope could be a strong contender in the great gift department. The lightly weighted rope comes with a free app with guided workouts that allow you to exercise anywhere. Crossrope’s most popular ropes start at 1/4 pound, allowing you to get an incredible workout in, with only one piece of equipment. Guided workouts in the app offer heart-healthy, HIIT workouts in that burns almost twice the calories of running–and maybe even as many calories as running after a 2 year old.

Momcozy universal stroller organizer

This universal stroller organizer turns any stroller into command central. New parents will appreciate the insulated cup holders and the plethora of pockets for stashing their phone, wallet, keys and other necessities. Need more new-parent gift ideas for parents who love to travel? Check these out.

Tell Your Life Story

Life goes by in a blur, but when you write it down on paper or digitally, it becomes a tangible way to harness it and make sense of it all. For the writer types and story tellers on your gift list, Tell Your Life Story breaks writing your own autobiography into organized journal entries. Fun and thoughtful questions help guide the process of recording your life’s history as you think back about meaningful experiences and your take on the situations that will inspire current and future generations.

Lululemon Everywhere Belt

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When you’re on the go, a belt bag is just what you need. The Lululemon Everywhere belt bag is big enough to fit essentials, such as your wallet, phone and keys, but not so big to weigh down your walk, run or bike ride.

Philips Sonicare Electric Toothbrush EssentialClean

Okay, yeah. An electric toothbrush isn’t the most exciting gift. But everyone brushes their teeth. What’s great about the Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush EssentialClean is not only that it makes your teeth feel sparkly clean, it’s rechargeable and comes with its own travel case, so you can use the same toothbrush at home and when you’re out and about. Include extra toothbrush heads to go with it for good measure.

Custom paint by number

The artsy hobbiest in your life will enjoy this personalized take on paint by numbers: CleverFine Custom Paint by Numbers from your own photo. Maybe you have a photo of the giftee in your phone (or their dog) that would make the perfect artwork? When you order the custom paint by number kit, you’ll send in a reference photo that will be turned into a personalized photo pre-printed canvas. Each kit includes 24 to 36 high-gloss acryllic paints and three brushes.