Nena Farrell GearDec 3, 2024 4:26 PMIf you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more.Featured in this articleBeautiful CoastersEast Fork Glass Cloud CoastersRead more$48 at East ForkA Cool MatCold Picnic Bath MatRead more$75 at Cold PicnicColorful Baking TraysGreat Jones Baking SheetsRead more$40 at Great Jones (Holy Sheet)A Handy Little BlenderNinja Blast Portable BlenderRead more$60 at Best BuyShow more4 / 17Shopping for someone else’s house is intimidating. What do they not have yet that you can buy them? What’s something they’ll actually use instead of just adding to their shelf clutter? There are a few easy classics that folks love to gift—who doesn’t love a candle or another little houseplant?—but there are also a lot of really useful, beautiful gifts you can give instead. After living in eight different apartments in the past 10 years and buying my first home just a few months ago, here are the items that are getting daily use in my house.Updated December 2024: We’ve added a Ninja blender.Photograph: Nena FarrellBeautiful CoastersEast Fork Glass Cloud CoastersEveryone’s home needs a good set of coasters. Not only can they keep your surfaces safe, but a cute set like these Glass Cloud Coasters from East Fork Pottery also make a fun style statement on whatever tabletop they sit on. They come in two gorgeous sets of colors—Day, with a white and blue cloud, and Sunset, with a purple and orange cloud—and are a fun statement for any surface. They’re a little slim, but still wide enough for my coffee cups and even my massive Owala.$48 at East ForkPhotograph: Cold PicnicA Cool MatCold Picnic Bath MatA home upgrade probably means more bathrooms than ever before. Which means your new favorite homeowner probably does not own enough bath mats already to fill their brand-new bathrooms. Nothing’s less fun than getting out of the shower and finding your feet on cold tile, so help fill up those bathrooms by gifting a cozy bath mat. Specifically, Cold Picnic’s plush bath mats. They’re super soft on your feet, and have a nice handful of abstract designs that can blend into any home. Cold Picnic uses organic cotton for the mats, which is a great bonus, and there’s a nonslip backing to keep it secure.$75 at Cold PicnicPhotograph: Nena FarrellColorful Baking TraysGreat Jones Baking SheetsIf they love to bake, whether it’s homemade scones or just premade cookie dough from the grocery store (I’ve got aspirations of the former but currently fall into the latter category), a good set of baking sheets is a must. Great Jones makes some of the most colorful and fun baking sheets I’ve ever seen. They come in a set of three, and are made from aluminized steel, which is a great conductor of heat. They’re also dishwasher safe, which is a huge bonus for anyone who hates doing dishes. The set comes with a small, medium, and large sheet, so they’ll be ready for any baking project that comes their way.$40 at Great Jones (Holy Sheet)A Handy Little BlenderNinja Blast Portable BlenderIf they’re always on the go, a portable blender is a great gift. The Ninja Blast is a small, 14-ounce blender that’s perfect for making smoothies, protein shakes, or even just blending up some coffee beans. It’s small enough to fit in a bag, and the lid doubles as a handle, so it’s easy to take with you wherever you go. It’s also dishwasher safe, so it’s easy to clean up after you’re done blending. It’s not the most powerful blender out there, but it’s great for small tasks and is a fun addition to any kitchen.$60 at Best Buy
