12 Days of Gift Guides - Day 12: Practical Gifts

On the 12th day of gift guides, Jenny gave to me……presents that are not sexy!

These gifts aren’t flashy, they aren’t glamorous and they may not be on the top of most people’s gift lifts….but they are PRACTICAL! This is a list that would make my father proud! The items below are the MOST POPULAR products I share on Instagram…the ones that get the most feedback, the ones I share over and over and the ones that no home should be without. Although we may not consider these “gifts,” you might as well take advantage of the sales!

1. Dyson Air Purifier/Fan - HANDS DOWN the #1 most popular home gadget I share on Instagram…. it cleans the air, removes dog/pet smells, helps with allergens and cools the room. Families with allergies love this because it reduces reactions to allergens in the air. I love it because I have two golden retrievers and I refuse to have a home that smells like dog. The purifiers will turn on automatically when it senses a pollutant…like my hair spray. As a designer, I also hate ceiling fans so I now have chandeliers in bedrooms because these cool our rooms…and make a lovely white noise for night!

Get any model besides the TP01 (I just feel its basic and doesn’t have the same features.) We have the TP02 model in 4 rooms in our home (on sale on QVC plus free filter) and the TP07 in our master and living room. The TP07 has an LED screen that just has more helpful features like air quality reading and filter reminders.

THIS JUST IN…NEW THIS SEASON… Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde PH04 - This five star new model added a HUMIDIFIER removing 99.9% of bacteria and it destroys formaldehyde released from household items. Fully sealed HEPA filtration traps allergens, gases, bacteria and smoke. Circulates purified, humidified air throughout the whole room. Hassle-free deep clean cycle eliminates mineral build up and bacteria​. Reports pollution in real time on LCD screen. I have not seen any sales for this yet.

2. Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro Multi-Surface Wet & Dry Vacuum - It’s a vacuum and a mop! Eliminate the process of sweeping first and then vacuuming. This Crosswave does it all at once. We love this for our hardwood floors and tile bathrooms. The amount of dirt this sucks up (rather than spreads across the floor like a traditional mop) is INCREDIBLE!

3. Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Upright Carpet Cleaner - You will never need another professional carpet or upholstery cleaner again! With over 3300 five star reviews, our family can attest to the power of this machine! We clean our area rugs, couches and upholstered chairs with this…and you will never understand how gross your home is until you see the water tank fill with dirty water! Worth every penny!

4. Sperry Duck Boots - Duck boots have been a rainy- or snowy-day favorite for years because they offer all the warmth, water protection, and traction of a terrific boot, along with the flexibility not typically seen in a heavy snow boot. The Saltwater Duck Boot are most popular for men while the women’s line has a style perfect for any personality. Don’t forget the kids!

5. Waterpik Cordless Express Water Flosser - A gift for your teeth! Even after flossing, this cordless Waterpik shockingly removes leftover food. An excellent gift those with orthodontics, this cordless tool is clinically more effective than flossing.

6. Ralph Lauren towels - Oprah’s personal favorites, these towels are an excellent gift for the hostess, newlywed or family in need of an upgrade! The Sanders bath towel collection from Ralph Lauren, features ribbed cotton, a turned hem and antimicrobial features.

7. Travel Makeup Case - This Amazon $25 makeup case has gone viral for good reason! DIY your makeup case organizer with adjustable padded dividers that hold palettes and brushes in a separate compartment.

8. Tiered Fruit Stand - After my husband’s constant complaints about the size of our fruit bowl and my complaints about the unsightly black wired baskets, we splurged on this Williams & Sonoma fruit stand. Although we got the marble, it also is available in walnut. You can display and serve appetizers, pastries or fruit in grand style with this stunning tiered bowl. It holds a ton of fruit and displays beautifully for daily use.

9. Felt Purse Organizer - I have these in all of my bags and they have protected my purse from sticking candy, pens and water spills. Multiple sizes and under $20.

10. Manhattan Modular Organizers Nightstand Storage Solution - While listed as a nightstand solution (that would be perfect for kids,) I also put these in my daughter’s college apartment. Create a personal organizer that can double as a bedside nightstand, chair-side accent table or entryway drop zone. This starter kit lets you do it, with stackable, mixable, modular storage that combines convenient dimensions and impressive capacity. Three sizes of Open-Front Bins can hold books, wallets, slippers, handbags, boots and more. Fitted Lids ensure stable stacking.

11. Blue Sky Planners - I couldn’t live without this planner! I keep this on my desk and every appointment, influencer campaign and important event goes into this planner. Most days I honestly don’t know what I’m doing until I look here. Grab a pack of erasable pens to keep your plans flexible and your calendar tidy!

12. Shark Apex Uplight Duo Clean Vacuum - The vacuum that started my Instagram career is sold out in most places. Yes, it has a cord but it is absolutely THE BEST VACUUM I have ever used…and hundreds of my IG followers agree! I have put it head to head with the Dyson cordless in a “vacuum war” highlight on IG and there’s no question which tool is more powerful and gets up the most hair. There’s a reason why this is sold out in most places.