General:
* Items: More formal than "things"
* Objects: Emphasizes physical presence
* Possessions: Implies ownership
* Stuff: Informal, often used for clutter
* Material possessions: More formal and specific
* Goods: Refers to products
* Equipment: Implies tools or machinery
* Articles: More formal, can refer to written works
* Effects: Often refers to personal belongings
Specific categories:
* Food: For things you eat
* Books: For written works
* Clothes: For garments
* Furniture: For household items
* Toys: For children's playthings
* Tools: For instruments used for a task
* Gadgets: For small, often electronic devices
* Instruments: Musical or scientific tools
* Appliances: Household machines
Figurative language:
* Bric-a-brac: A collection of miscellaneous objects
* Knick-knacks: Small decorative items
* Trinkets: Small, inexpensive items
* Odds and ends: A variety of items
* Miscellany: A collection of diverse things
To avoid repetition:
* The aforementioned: Refer to something previously mentioned
* Those: If the "things" are already clear
* These: If the "things" are being presented
* The above: For a list or group of things
To be more specific:
* What you need: If the context is clear
* Everything I own: If you're referring to all possessions
* Your favorite things: If the context is personal
The best word to use will depend on the specific context of your writing. Consider the tone, audience, and meaning you want to convey.