Top Gender-Neutral Gift Categories
Every list online insists people want practical, low-key tech, and home stuff that doesn’t scream “look at me”—yet somehow, gendered mugs still exist. What’s that about? Shoppers are obviously leaning toward things everyone actually uses: smart home gadgets, unisex accessories, basics that just fit in anywhere.
Practical Everyday Items
Does anyone need another mug with a dad joke? No. Socks that don’t itch, water bottles that don’t leak (Hydro Flask, I trust you), decent notebooks—those get used. Search spikes for insulated mugs and tote bags. The NPD Group said 67% of people want gifts they’ll use daily, not just collect dust.
My favorite? Cotton totes with extra pockets—nobody argues with pockets. True story: a friend texted me to say she used the key clip and felt like a genius. For teens, “performance” socks (Bombas, apparently) are a thing now—arch support, who knew?
Tech Gadgets for All
Phones as gifts? No. AirPods, though—everyone’s obsessed. Not mad about it, they’re useful, and nobody cares about gender. Apple AirTag? I bought one, then three more, and even my dad uses them (he still prints MapQuest directions). Rolling Stone says smart speakers like the Echo Dot are a classic gender-neutral tech gift.
Portable chargers, Kindles, compact Bluetooth keyboards—those are the upgrades people never buy for themselves. For messy-desk friends, wireless charging pads are a win. Weirdly, screen cleaners or USB hubs get more thanks than anything expensive.
Home Essentials and Decor
New bedding = instant hotel vibes. Gender-neutral sheets (gray, textured, whatever), chunky throws—always on the “best gift” lists. Cosmopolitan’s guide calls out stoneware mugs and minimalist planters; I’ve seen succulents get more love than fancy wine decanters.
It’s not just plants—LED candles (no scent, less drama), magnetic spice racks for tiny kitchens, unbreakable tumblers with no “his” or “hers” label. Tool sets in matte black? Sure. Someone always re-gifts that “funny” apron, though, so watch out.
Trending Gender-Neutral Gifts Online
People are ditching anything pink or blue—so much “for anyone” stuff is flying between wish lists and carts, I can’t keep up. Kitchen tools right next to loungewear, “neutral” gifts selling out like sneakers on drop day.
Most Added to Wish List
Vintage crew socks—cotton-rich, “genderless”—somehow always top the lists. Nobody asks for socks, but everyone bookmarks them. Bluetooth speakers, especially ones with “inclusive design,” are everywhere; Teen Vogue says it’s a big trend for 2023, but good luck finding one in stock.
Portable coffee presses—overhyped, but every barista swears by the AeroPress. Self-care kits, instant cameras, hardcover journals, artisan candles—algorithms just mash every Cosmo top 49 list together. And then someone’s grandma wants a hydroponic garden, because why not?
Gifts Popular in Carts
Once it’s in the cart, if it’s not a massager or custom tumbler, it’s a tech gadget shipping out in hours. My group chat debates which collapsible water bottle is the “right” one. Home stuff like LED lamps and planters sell out so fast—I literally saw a site slap an “out of stock” banner in one afternoon (NOTHS confirms). Subscription snack boxes fill half the orders, especially if they promise vegan surprises—last week, one box had popcorn and deodorant together. Someone bought it for a wedding. I don’t get it.
Weighted blankets spike in June—why? Maybe everyone’s stressed. Target’s “gender-neutral” cart collections jam in everything from aromatherapy diffusers to urban gardening books. People search for indie bookstore gift cards, but nobody actually buys the $105 walnut cutting board.
Best Practical Gifts for Anyone
Why do gift guides never just get real? I can’t stand gadgets that collect dust until the next garage sale. Give me stuff that actually works: a water bottle that doesn’t leak, a mug that keeps coffee hot, something that survives the morning commute. Practical isn’t glamorous, but it’s the only thing I want.
Popular Water Bottles
Water bottles. Why is this a thing people obsess over? I’ve spent way too long scrolling reviews, trying to figure out if any of them actually don’t leak or fit in my cupholder—spoiler: half don’t, and the ones that do somehow cost more than a decent lunch. Hydro Flask, Nalgene, Yeti, whatever—TikTok makes a new color viral and suddenly they’re gone. Is it status? Is it just hydration? I have a coworker who treats her battered stainless bottle like a trophy, initials etched in, stickers everywhere, and honestly, I kinda get it. You forget about your tea, burn your tongue at 2 p.m., and still feel weirdly proud. My cousin literally timed her Yeti’s ice retention (19 hours, she said, because the manufacturer claimed it and she didn’t believe them). That’s what we’re doing now, apparently—science experiments with water bottles.
If you want to make someone mad, give them a “hand wash only” bottle. I mean, why do those still exist? Dishwasher safe or bust. I’d rather risk dehydration than scrub a narrow neck for eternity. And yeah, water bottles sound boring, but just wait until you lose yours and suddenly life falls apart. Maybe not the world’s most exciting gift, but honestly, kind of essential.