The end of November is a great time to ask friends and family what gifts they want for New Year’s. If the answer is “I don’t know” or “Nothing,” you’ll have to use your imagination. 

Household appliances

• Air humidifier

A normal humidity level in an apartment is considered to be between 40 and 55 percent. Unfortunately, maintaining this level during the heating season without additional gadgets is quite difficult. Therefore, experts recommend getting a humidifier. If your parents don’t have one yet, now is the time to surprise them.

Stores offer standard manual humidifiers, as well as models that connect to a phone (they can be controlled using a special app or voice assistant). Useful features include an automatic steam adjustment function, as well as an aromatherapy compartment, which not only humidifies the air but also fills it with a pleasant scent.

• Smart speaker

A smart speaker with a voice assistant is an indispensable item in the home. It can control appliances, outlets, and lighting fixtures, play music, dictate recipes, set reminders, and tell you the weather. Essentially, all speakers are identical in functionality; only the platform they work with differs. 

• Airfryer

If your loved one doesn’t like spending much time in the kitchen or is committed to a healthy diet, we recommend giving them an air fryer. The main advantage of this appliance is that it uses hot air to fry food to a beautiful, golden brown crust without using a single drop of oil. The result is similar to traditional deep-frying, but much healthier and without the extra calories. For a family of one or two people, a 4.5-liter air fryer is sufficient, but for larger households, it’s worth considering a 6-8-liter unit.

For the kitchen

• Set of cutting boards

An indispensable kitchen accessory, without which it’s impossible to imagine cooking, is a cutting board. The most popular options are wood and plastic. The former look more beautiful and can become a separate decorative element in the kitchen, while the latter are more practical. Flexible cutting boards are also available, making it easy to pour chopped ingredients into the pot. We recommend giving the set on a stand—these boards are easier to store and look more presentable.

• Electric grinder

You can argue all you want that packaged spices are just as good as freshly ground ones, but let’s face it: if you grind peppercorns with an electric grinder, the aroma will instantly permeate the entire kitchen, while if you pour them straight from a packet, the aroma will be barely noticeable. That’s why an electric grinder is an indispensable kitchen tool. It can grind anything: salt, pepper, flaxseed, and any loose spices. These devices are typically battery-powered and feature a backlight.

• A set of kitchen towels

Another essential kitchen essential is towels. We usually choose the cheapest ones because we need to change them often, but what if you gifted your mom, sister, or friend a truly high-quality set that would last for months? We recommend choosing large towels that absorb moisture well, are easy to wash, and dry quickly. The fabric should be soft and pleasant to the touch. To avoid embarrassment when displaying the towels, choose neutral colors and subtle patterns that will complement any interior.

For beauty

• LED mask

Recently, cosmetologists have increasingly been using special LED masks equipped with an LED module. Their main advantage is their versatility – they are suitable for any skin type. Different wavelengths of light allow the light to penetrate deep into the skin, improving tone and elasticity and reducing wrinkles. This is an excellent anti-aging treatment that can be safely used by people over 30. Incidentally, to enhance the effect, cosmetologists recommend using the mask in combination with serums and collagen products.

• Makeup mirror

If you’ve noticed your friend constantly applying makeup while looking into a tiny powder mirror, it’s time for a change. Get her a special makeup mirror with a magnifying glass and light. It can be placed on any surface—a vanity, dresser, windowsill, or even the edge of a sink. Basically, she can apply makeup anywhere. These mirrors are usually battery-powered, so they come with a charging cable.

Symbolic gifts

• Candies

Trivial? Perhaps. But that doesn’t make the candies any less delicious or appealing. Plus, they’re a universal gift for anyone, be it a colleague, a neighbor, or even a Pilates instructor (yes, athletes eat sweets too). The only thing is, choose not by the pretty packaging, but by the content. Give candies you’ve already tried, or from a manufacturer you trust. You can also order handmade items from a pastry chef: chocolate bars, candies, chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate bombs that dissolve in hot milk, etc.

• Mug

Just don’t put something with the inscription “Happy New Year!” That’s really bad form. Choose items with a cozy winter print or characters associated with the holiday. Such a mug will lift your spirits every day and instill faith in miracles. And to make the gift complete, pair the mug with a set of delicious loose tea. You can find a variety of tea varieties with or without additives on marketplaces.

• Mittens or gloves

During the cold season, this accessory becomes one of the most essential items, making it difficult to go outside without it. Make sure your loved ones’ hands are always warm and cozy. The key is to choose a truly high-quality product that will not only look good but also keep their palms warm even in the most severe frost.

If nothing works

• Gift certificate

If you still haven’t decided on a specific gift, or you know for sure that your mom or sister needs, for example, cosmetics, but you’re worried about getting the color of a particular product wrong, buy a gift certificate. Most stores now offer this gift idea, and it’s perhaps one of the most foolproof options. You just need to decide on the amount and, of course, the store where your loved one will choose the gift. This could be a bookstore, a cosmetics store, a kitchenware store, a home appliance store, etc.

• Experience Gifts

These gifts are typically given for birthdays, but why not treat your loved ones to a New Year’s gift? What qualifies as such a gift? It could be a photo shoot, a master class, a ticket to the theater or a concert of a favorite artist, a massage or spa certificate, a tour of the city’s historical sites, or a rafting trip down a mountain river… There are plenty of options. You just need to choose one that will appeal to your loved one (and won’t break the bank).