What do you get your neighbor who looked after your house while you were on vacation last summer? How about your son-in-law or your significant other's administrative assistant? We've been keeping our eye out for some of the most popular, useful, and sometimes just plain fun gifts to give this year. We hope you'll find just the right thing for that awfully-hard-to-buy-for person in your life.
Click on any image for more information or a link to purchase. Costs listed can fluctuate depending on supply and demand.
The Aquor outdoor hydrant is probably the easiest outdoor faucet you'll ever own or use.
If you are tired of leaky faucets or worrying about freezing outdoor spigots, the Aquor eliminates those concerns while making hooking up your hose a breeze. Unlike traditional hand-tightened assemblies, the Aquor uses water pressure to keep its valve closed, preventing excess wear and tear.
To use, you attach a hose connector to your garden hose and leave it attached. Then, when you want to use the hose, simply align the grooves on the hose connector with the nibs on the hydrant, push and twist - and you've turned on the water.
The Aquor House Hydrant is ideal for anyone with arthritis or carpal tunnel that prevent them from turning knobs. It's sleek profile is also a plus as it doesn't protrude from the side of the house, lessening the risk of damage.
This requires a plumber to install and some parts, like a debris cover, are sold separately.
$149.00
These rechargeable motion-activated light strips are perfect for dark closets, under cabinets, on bed frames (so you don't have to turn on a light for a midnight trip to the bathroom), on stair risers - anywhere light is needed but wiring is not available.
Simply charge the strips then adhere the support brackets with the adhesive backing provided. Magnets hold the lights in place until you need to recharge them. No batteries, no cords, no fuss. You can double-tap to turn the light on for steady use, triple-tap to turn it off, and single-tap to make it motion-activated again.
Tripping and falls are the number one cause of death for older adults. We all know someone who could benefit from the added safety these lights provide.
$43.00
While we're on the subject of lights, these rechargeable light bulbs are perfect for power outages in homes that don't have a generator. Use them like a regular lightbulb, and they automatically charge while in the lamp. When the power goes out, these bulbs will continue to function for several hours until power is restored. They can also be removed and put in a portable "socket" provided, so no searching for batteries or a flashlight is needed.
Light is one of the main deterrents to criminal activity. In a power outage, people feel more vulnerable and unprotected. These lightbulbs provide peace of mind and added safety, and while not a glamorous gift, this set of two is a thoughtful and meaningful one.
$18.00 for two
If you have someone on your gift list who likes to fly often, the AirFly Pro is the one of the hottest gifts to give. This clever gadget solves the problem not being able to connect wireless headphones (no matter the make or model) to devices that require a headphone jack.
The biggest culprit of this problem is airplane TVs, but the AirFly Pro is also compatible with gaming devices, gym equipment like treadmills and stair climbers, laptops or tablets, and car stereos that don’t have Bluetooth connectivity. It doubles as a way to share audio from a laptop or tablet, too.
AirFly Pro has a battery life of 16+ hours to cover most long flights, but it can also be used while charging with the included cable.
$54.99
Sometimes you go to put away your stand mixer, crock pot, or Instapot, and just stuff the cord wherever you can before quickly closing the door to keep it contained.
Now there is a handy cord wrap attachment you can stick to your appliances and use to neatly wrap and contain your power cords for storage. It makes a great stocking stuffer for the cook in your life, but there are lots of power cables that could be wrangled into order with this handy device.
$12.99
These handy gadgets look exactly like what they do - help preserve your veggies and fruit and keep them fresh far longer than wraps or other plastic containers. Plus, you don't need to worry about the smell of onions or garlic permeating your other food items. Another bonus, finding the onion or pepper in your fridge is much easier with these standouts.
A great gift for your neighbor with a cottage vegetable garden, the cook in your life, or the environmentalist who is swearing off single-use plastic.
Price range: $8.00 - $10.00 each
There is not much worse to a coffee lover than taking a sip of a cooled cup of espresso. The two cup set of insulated espresso cups keeps drinks at the desired temperature longer while the handle remains cool to the touch. Pair these mugs with The Unofficial Starbuck's Cookbook, so your giftee can make her favorite latte, and a rechargeable milk frother to create a wonderful gift basket.
Rechargeable Lighter
No more burned fingers as you try to light one too many candles at the same time. No more trying to light a fire in the wind only to have the flame blow out before you can get it started. No more having to search for matches, or a lighter with enough butane in it. Whew!
These rechargeable lighters are one of the hottest devices on social media, and for good reason. One charge lasts for hundreds of lights, and can be safely stored by turning it off and replacing the cap. It comes in several styles and works with just a click of a button.
$15.99 $8.99 $9.99-13.99
These really work. They've been tested by some of our staff, and they are fabulous for dog and cat owners. The small teeth in these "rakes" catch lint and dog hair without damaging the fabric, carpet, or upholstery. "I have two dogs and couldn't live without these," one reviewer wrote.
$11.99 for two
Speaking of pets, the only way dogs can cool themselves is by panting, lying in a mud puddle, or, thankfully, resting on one of these cooling mats. The gel in these pads is pressure activated by your pet's weight and can cool it for up to 3 hours. It doesn't need to be "charged" or refrigerated beforehand, and stores away easily when not in use.
Give the dog lover in your life the peace of mind that his pet won't get overheated in our hot Virginia summers with this thoughtful gift.
$30.00 - $45.00 depending on size
We can't forget the cat lovers on our list. This interactive cat toy dispenses treats as the feline instinctively plays with the spinning wheel. Suction cups keep it anchored to the floor, and this keeps cats occupied and not interested in the toilet paper roll they've been eyeing for a while. The toy is small, and treats can go flying if the pet is enthusiastic, but cat owners enjoy the show.
$12.99
Now that Pickleball is a pro sport, what's next? The Olympics?
Pickleball is all the rage, and what better gift than an ornament that honors the devotee on your list. The item goes in and out of stock frequently, so you may have to sign up to be notified if inventory is depleted, but it will be worth the wait for the oohs and ahhhs, and giggles, when opened.
$20.00
Recommended by one of our IT staff, this floodlight comes with a wifi camera that can alert you to movement outside your home, whether you are there or not. You can install it at a vacation home and use it to check on weather conditions or the security of your home after a storm.
A wide viewing angle, 1080 HD camera, and a loud siren that you can activate with your phone are some of the device's best features.
Give the gift of security, peace of mind, and connectivity this holiday.
$159.00
Anyone on your list who struggles with opening packages, breaking down boxes, or opening those exasperating plastic wrapped items will love these rechargeable, cordless scissors. Hand strain is a thing of the past as this tool can be used on fabric, carpet, cardboard, plastic, and more.
$39.30
This is an item that we listed last year and will again in the future.
The LifeVac should be in every home, restaurant, sports stadium, school, and office building. Choking is the fourth leading cause of accidental death in the United States, and while the Heimlich is easy to perform, it isn't as easy to perform correctly. This device takes the uncertainty away and works quickly and easily to remove obstructions for the airways of babies to adults.
This is the ultimate peace of mind gift.
$80.00
Gifts Worth Giving Again
These gift ideas have been included in past lists and are worth relisting here. Some may have been used up or worn out and should be replaced.
Fire Blanket (Set of Two) - $22.99
Birdie Personal Safety Alarm - $30.00
Faraday Bag for Key Fob (so the car key fob can't be hacked and the car stolen while you sleep) - $7.95
To see last year's entire list, click here.
One standout suggestion is gifting a vacation rental, offering loved ones the chance to create unforgettable memories in a unique and relaxing getaway. It's the perfect way to give the gift of adventure and relaxation all in one.