Top Picks of 2025: Must-Have Gadgets, Books & Trends

You asked, and we answered. By popular demand we rounded up our favorite home, life, travel, beauty, and everyday purchases from the past year. Every item below was bought with our own money in 2025 and ended up feeling like a small but meaningful upgrade — things that made daily life easier, prettier, more organized, or just more fun. If you’re shopping for holiday gifts or figuring out what you might want to ask for, maybe this list will help.

We’ve shared many ideas in our Holiday Gift Guides, but this list is more personal — a selection of items we actually purchased and loved in 2025. Some are budget-friendly, some are splurges, and a few are small, clever upgrades that made a surprisingly big difference at home.

4. Favorite Easy Upgrade

Metallic Switch & Outlets: Replacing white outlet covers and switchplates on a tiled backsplash with metallic ones was a tiny, inexpensive update that made the space look much more cohesive and finished.

5. Favorite Hair Product

Madison Reed Hair Dye & Root Touch-Up: A gentler at-home color option that softened my hair texture and gave me a natural look. The root touch-up kit is quick and convenient when I need a small refresh.

6. Favorite Nail Product

Olive & June Press-On Nails: Affordable, fast, and realistic-looking press-ons that save a salon trip and get lots of compliments. They come in many styles and are simple to apply in minutes.

7. Favorite Makeup

Tubing Mascara: Lengthening, easy to apply, and surprisingly easy to remove — a modern update to mascara with less clumping and more definition.

8. Favorite Skin Product

Collagen Powder: A simple scoop added to morning coffee that feels like a helpful supplement to my routine. It agreed with me where other brands didn’t, so it stuck.

9. Favorite Sanity Saver

Family Wall Calendar: A public, paper calendar in the kitchen helped the whole family stay organized, share plans, and get kids more involved in the household schedule.

10. Favorite Necklace

Tennis Necklace: A mid-priced, well-made piece that looks like a luxury version without the price tag. Comfortable, durable, and great for layering.

11. Favorite Fragrance

Gautier Divine: A signature scent discovery — balanced, distinctive, and often noticed by others. I reached for a small spray bottle to keep it in regular rotation.

12. Favorite Kitchen Item

Brass Flatware: Replacing old utensils with brass flatware was an inexpensive upgrade that elevated everyday meals. Practical, attractive, and a small joy at every meal.

13. Favorite Allergy Helper

Quercetin: A supplement that dramatically reduced my cat-allergy symptoms. Taking it consistently has made living comfortably around our cat possible again.

14. Favorite Earrings (TIE)

X Earrings & Chunky Hoops: Two pairs I rotate constantly — one edgy and delicate, the other bold and polished. Both are comfortable, budget-friendly, and instantly make me feel put together.

15. Favorite Travel Item

Carry-On Suitcase: Upgrading to matching hard-cased carry-ons felt like a grown-up milestone. They roll smoothly, fit carry-on requirements well, and are sturdy enough for frequent travel.

16. Favorite Re-Buy

Affordable Headphones: Budget wireless headphones that held up well for a teen and were inexpensive enough to replace when one was lost — practical and functional.

17. Favorite Organizing Item

Cord Clips: Inexpensive cable clips that tame cords on nightstands, desks, and charging stations. Simple, affordable, and surprisingly effective at reducing clutter.

18. Favorite Art & Craft

Frisket Masking Liquid: A fun masking product for watercolor projects that kids enjoy using and peeling off once dry. It creates crisp, graphic effects and encourages creative play.

Now I’ll hand the post over to John so he can share his favorites.

1. Favorite New Clothes

Quilted Half-Zip Sweater: A soft, versatile pullover that updated my wardrobe basics. Comfortable and appropriate for both casual and slightly dressier occasions.

2. Favorite New Shoes

Slip-On Sneaker: Replaced bulky “dad shoes” as my go-to pair. Easy to slip on, comfortable for walking, and versatile with many outfits.

3. Favorite Splurge

Insta360 Camera: A 360-degree camera that captures better footage when I paddleboard and for outdoor adventures. The “invisible selfie stick” feature makes shots look great.

4. Favorite Sunglasses

Goodr Sunglasses: Affordable, durable shades that I keep in several places so I always have a pair handy. Plenty of styles and comfortable for everyday wear.

5. Favorite Kitchen Item

Roll-Up Drying Rack: A compact drying rack that frees counter space and rolls up for easy storage — a small convenience that improved evening kitchen cleanup.

6. Favorite Rainy Day Activity

299 Dogs & A Cat Puzzle: A playful, illustrated puzzle where each piece is shaped like an animal. It engaged the kids and made puzzle time more fun and unexpected.

7. Favorite Tech Toy

Pairable Bluetooth Speakers: Two speakers that pair easily for surround-like sound. They became the highlight of our outdoor movie setup and are great for music outside.

8. Favorite Workout Item

Sport Cap: Lightweight, affordable hats that replaced falling-apart workout caps. Comfortable and durable for running and outdoor activities.

9. Favorite Travel Item

Cord Organizer: A zippered pouch that keeps chargers and cables tidy when packing. It requires a bit of upkeep, but saves time and stress when traveling.

10. Favorite Grooming Item

Beard Trimmer: A compact, cordless trimmer that replaced my old unit. Simple, reliable, and exactly what I wanted — no fuss, no extra pieces.

11. Favorite Tool

Small Laser Level: A newer, sturdier laser level that’s compact and less fussy than my old one. Handy for quick projects around the house.

12. Favorite Family Game

Qwirkle: A colorful tile game the whole family enjoys. It’s strategic without being intimidating, and it’s quick to learn and play together.

13. Favorite Lifesaver

Wireless Charger: Compact, compatible USB-C wireless chargers that recharge devices quickly and reliably. We bought several in different colors and they’ve been handy at home and on trips.

14. Favorite Chore Helper

Plant Food: Adding plant food to watering routines made a visible difference — healthier, perkier houseplants that look cared for with minimal effort.

15. Favorite Book

Sunrise on the Reaping: A prequel that expands on a familiar series and connects characters in interesting ways. Not without flaws, but enjoyable and thought-provoking.

16. Favorite Beverage

LMNT: Electrolyte packets I mix into a water bottle for flavorful, low-sugar hydration after workouts or runs. Citrus flavors are especially refreshing.

17. Favorite Re-Buy

Compact Sound Machine: A long-lasting sound machine we replaced recently with a newer model that adds Bluetooth and more sounds. The original lasted nearly a decade, so the update felt earned.

18. Favorite Didn’t Need To Re-Buy

Leather Key Ring: A durable leather key ring purchased years ago that’s still holding up. It’s a small item that proves longevity matters.