Practical Gift Ideas

Searching for practical gift ideas today is not very easy because most items rely on multiple features or technology as a selling point. But if you look a little deeper, you'll find some practical gifts that make sense, and are actually a lot of fun.

Need a few ideas to get you started? How about a perpetual calendar? It keeps track of the date and never needs to be changed. You'll find wooden block calendars for the desktop at work or at home. They won't run out of batteries and don't need to be programmed. They come in versatile perpetual calendar frames as well, combining two essentials for anyone's desktop.

Maps and globes also fall into this category. They are great for teachers, researchers and those that enjoy geography. From historic globes to up-to-date globes with up-to-the-minute borders and country names, they are great for any age and will be used for a long time to come.

Small pieces of furniture are another idea. End tables, lamp tables and wine racks always have a place in a home. Along with barware and wine boxes, these are stylish, thoughtful and practical gift ideas for adults. If you know a cigar lover, consider a humidor, cigar cutter or ashtray made of marble.

You can also come up with more ideas by searching for items that people use everyday in their homes but may not have the time to buy. Oversized clocks, home decor, paintings and wall hangings are things people really need to decorate or update their homes.

Your practical gift doesn't have to be boring or too common to be useful.