A tchotchke (sounds like “CHOCH-kuh”) is a small decorative object that's cute or interesting but not particularly valuable or useful. Think of those little figurines on a shelf, souvenir snow globes, or tiny trinkets you might win at a carnival. Your grandmother might have a collection of porcelain animals on her mantel, or your aunt might display miniature Eiffel Towers from her Paris trip. These are all tchotchkes.

The word comes from Yiddish and often carries a gentle, affectionate tone, though sometimes it suggests the items are a bit silly or unnecessary. When someone says their desk is “cluttered with tchotchkes,” they mean it's covered with small decorative items: maybe a bobblehead, a stress ball shaped like a hamburger, or a little plastic trophy from field day.

Tchotchkes aren't worthless, they just aren't practical. A lamp or a clock serves a purpose. A tchotchke exists mainly to look nice, spark a memory, or make you smile. Some people love collecting them because each one tells a story or reminds them of a special moment. Others prefer keeping surfaces clear and think tchotchkes just gather dust. Either way, these little objects have a knack for multiplying: buy one rubber duck for your bathroom, and somehow you end up with twelve.