9 Gifts for People Who Live Alone

People who live alone take on a lot of responsibility. As a result, they tend to appreciate practical gifts. However, you don’t want to buy anything too basic that reminds them of chores.

The best gifts combine practicality with entertainment, allowing your friend or loved one to enjoy their special day while they look forward to using their new rice cooker or memory foam pillows.

1. Bedroom Furniture Set

Matching furniture sets have everything the recipient will need to furnish their space with style. Basic sets contain a bed, nightstand, and dresser, but you can upgrade to larger sets that include two nightstands and a chest. This gift is particularly valuable for someone who has just moved in and has only a mattress in their bedroom.

Choose from a wide range of colors, designs, and materials that suit the recipient’s style. If they’ve furnished other spaces, look for designs that match the vibe of the rest of their house. If they already have a bedroom furniture set they love, consider finding an additional piece to add to or complete the look.

2. Potted Plant

Keeping houseplants can keep someone occupied and improve their mental and physical health. They also brighten up the living space with a touch of nature, especially if the recipient lives in an urban area. Surprising your loved one with a houseplant might cheer them up if they’re feeling down.

If they’re new to the world of houseplants, start with a low-maintenance breed, such as a snake plant or an aloe vera plant. Advanced growers might appreciate flowers, larger plants, or miniature trees. For recipients who enjoy cooking, buy an herb-growing kit that they can use indoors.

3. Essential Oil Diffuser

Essential oil diffusers can liven up your living space with your recipient’s favorite scents. The diffuser heats the oils and disperses the mist into the air, promoting mental and physical wellness. Popular fragrances include peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, grapefruit, sweet orange, jasmine, and sandalwood. Make sure to include a set of essential oils with the diffuser.

4. Rice Cooker

Research shows that rice contains various nutrients, including fiber, magnesium, folate, selenium, and more. Rice also contains carbohydrates that boost your energy levels. However, cooking rice can be challenging and often leads to grains stuck to the bottom of the pot.

Rice cookers do all the work. Simply pour in the rice, add water, and hit the “Cook” button. The appliance cooks the rice automatically while the cook performs other tasks. This helps the recipient eat a healthier diet. Plus, since rice is cheap and filling, they’ll save money on grocery bills.

5. Hybrid Mattress

Hybrid mattresses combine coils with foam layers, offering the softness of plush foam while supporting the body with metal coils. Plush hybrids emphasize softness and comfort, while firm hybrids keep the back straight during sleep. Some models have memory foam, which contours to the sleeper’s body shape for extra support.

This gift is ideal for people who want to provide comfort to someone suffering from back problems or other pains. Today’s modern hybrid mattresses also often have added features, such as antimicrobial technology, hypoallergenic foam, moisture-wicking materials, and adjustable-base compatibility. Throw in a new set of bedsheets so that the recipient can enjoy their mattress right away!

6. Spa Set

A spa set provides a luxurious experience without leaving the house. Most sets have practical items to keep using after the designated “spa day.” Popular items include soap, shampoo, body lotion, bath bombs, candles, and bath salts. You could even order a customized set with an embroidered bathrobe and slippers.

Look for themed baskets if the recipient has a preferred scent or color. Some people prefer all-natural sets that make them feel pampered without harming the environment. If you can’t find the perfect set, go to the store and buy items separately to create a customized package.

7. Jigsaw Puzzle

Jigsaw puzzles offer a relaxing, solitary activity that helps a person focus and keep their mind active. Once they’ve completed it, the puzzle can double as a frameable art piece. If your loved one tends to feel bored at home, surprise them with a puzzle featuring their favorite animals or landscape. You could even order a custom puzzle made from a family photo.

For beginners, start with a puzzle that has a few hundred pieces. If the recipient has some experience, buy a thousand-piece puzzle or find a challenging set, such as a puzzle with a monotone, complex or repetitive image. This gift could keep them busy for weeks.

8. Memory Foam Pillow

Complement the recipient’s mattress with memory foam pillows for ultra comfort. The foam contours to the head and neck, which keeps the back straight and could relieve chronic pain. Slanted memory foam pillows even keep the body partially upright if someone is recovering from an injury or illness. You can also buy regular soft pillows for everyday use.

Some models come with additional features, such as gel-infused foam, breathable designs, and fire-retardant materials. Try a cooling pillow if your loved one often feels hot at night. Likewise, leg wedge pillows offer support under the legs, back, shoulders, or knees.

9. Subscription Box

Many subscription services give you the option to buy one for a friend or family member as a gift. With hundreds of options on the market, you could subscribe to meal kits, beauty samples, hobby supplies, snacks, books, global products or other items. Some subscriptions even offer a discount for signing up.

Unlike a one-off gift, subscription boxes delight the recipient all year round with a new surprise each month. They could learn new talents, polish their existing skills, try new cuisines, read popular books or discover new products. This keeps them occupied while they’re home and might stave off feelings of isolation.

Finding the Perfect Gift

If you’re not sure what the recipient needs, try casually asking them what would make their life easier. They might need tools, appliances, clothing, entertainment or household goods. When all else fails, try a gift card. Letting them choose their present ensures that they’ll walk away satisfied.