12 Holiday Gifts Anyone Burned Out from 2021 Will Appreciate Well into 2022
Making it through the last few weeks of the year can feel like crossing the finish line of a marathon. Only, picture a finish line littered with obligatory holiday parties and expensive plane tickets home. Since you, or someone you know, could probably use a little TLC after a hectic holiday season, you might want to add some gifts that will nourish the soul, body, and mind well into 2022.
Magic Linen Cinnamon Waffle Blanket, $149
After a long day, crawling into a bed that’s outfitted with fresh sheets and a comfortable blanket is one of life’s greatest pleasures. A good blanket is warm, but a great blanket is also breathable, soft, and stylish, and should last for years and years.
This cozy waffle weave version from Magic Linen in this striking cinnamon hue that’s stylish year-round checks all those boxes. It offers a fantastic mix of laid-back style, durability, and breathability. It looks sharp but casual on top of the bed. The weaved texture may resemble otherwise stiff linen, but this blanket feels more like seersucker—relaxed and airy. After a wash, it crinkles up just a bit and looks even fluffier. The Magic Linen throw is blended with thicker, dense cotton that adds structure, so it sits straight and smooth on the bed.
This also makes the throw much more durable than summer blankets we’ve tried made only of gauze and lighter than several coverlets we’ve tested. We think the Magic Linen Cinnamon Throw will last for years. It’s the coolest blanket on our list—we think it works on its own for summer temperatures, and it can be layered under a quilt or comforter during the rest of the year. Style it as a bed throw or use it as a wrap when you get cold.
The Perfect Pot, $165
You might not think self-care and the kitchen go hand-in-hand, but with the right tools, it can be the beating heart of self-care in your home. Folks, meet the Perfect Pot–a cousin to the Insta-famous Our Place Always Pan. The Perfect Pot combines a stockpot, Dutch oven, sauce pot, and more into one, so you’ll never have to stress over not having the right equipment to make your favorite restaurant meals at home.
Unlike its predecessor the Always Pan, the Perfect Pot is oven-safe up to 425°F. It’s designed similar to the Always Pan with a nontoxic ceramic coating on the interior and painted exterior finish offered in colors such as Steam (gray), Blue Salt (blue), Char (black), and our favorite, Spice (pink). Our Place’s cookware is undeniably beautiful and looks amazing stored on your stovetop. The Perfect Pot comes with two accessories, a beechwood spoon that’s designed to nest two-ways on your pot, and a roasting rack that doubles as a steamer. It’s compatible with all cooktops, including induction. The lid has steam vents built on the sides. But it also doubles as a strainer for when you cook pasta in the pot. Our favorite aspects about the Perfect Pot: cleaning is a breeze; it’s induction friendly; and designed with your comfort in mind through user-friendly features like the spout and built-in straining system. This high-performing and multitasking cookware will surely nourish you and bring you energy throughout the day and turn your kitchen into a gathering room for family or a place to connect with friends.
Yosemite spectradome PILLOW, $58
The best gifts are the ones that keep on giving. With a wide range of gifts across apparel, home goods, travel and accessories, there is something for every outdoor lover or environmentalist in your life with Parks Project. Every purchase supports its goal to protect and preserve parklands for generations to come. The Yosemite Spectradome Hook Pillow is constructed from vibrant hooked yarns and funds maintenance of more than 800 miles of trails through the Yosemite Conservancy.
Zion sweetgrass amber candle, $36
Another one of our picks from Parks Project is the Zion and Sweetgrass Amber candle, which smells like a sweet morning day on Zion’s trails. This item funds Zion National Park Forever’s Junior Ranger program to inspire the next generation of environmentalists.
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm, $42
We’ve tried nearly every cleansing balm and oil out there, and this one from Farmacy is a holy grail product. The cleanser--a melts-in-your-fingertips balm-to-oil--is made with nourishing oils, like sunflower and ginger root, along with papaya extract, a natural exfoliator, to whisk away a day's worth of makeup (even the waterproof kind clinging to lashes long after a rigorous Spin class), dirt, oil, and grime. That's why this balm has become a permanent fixture in our skin-care routines. After every nightly use--a minute or two of gently massaging the stuff all over our face (lashes included)--our skin feels super soft, cleaner than clean, and far from slick. The best part: a little goes a long way. The Garden Party Green Clean Trio Gift Set lets you indulge in limited edition scents like strawberry basil, lemon mint and peach thyme.
SAJE AROMA OM DIFFUSER, $92
As cozy as they are, candles are a short-lived luxury—once you burn it, all you're left with is a crumbling wick and a bit of wax you’ll have to freeze and pry out of the glass jar. With a diffuser, even the tiniest bottle of essential oil can last longer than a whole candle since you only need 10 or so drops each time. We love the Saje Aroma Om Diffuser made with a modern and sleek ceramic cover. It’s an electric diffuser that uses ultrasonic pulses to produce a purifying vapor of water and essential oils. And if you get tired of smelling the same scent day in and day out, you can easily change it up by mixing a few together. Saje has a wide range of scents to fit whatever the day or night may call for. With a 100ml water tank, the diffuser is perfect for medium-sized rooms. It has a very simple control panel consisting of two buttons, one for turning on and off the light and the other for controlling the mist. There are two misting options, one for continuous misting, which lasts about three to four hours, and the other for intermittent misting (30 seconds on and 30 seconds off), which lasts for six hours.
le vite straightening brush, $79
In a perfect world, time would be a gift you could actually give. One of the closest things you could get to this would be the time back you get from L’Ange Hair’s collection of hot tools. The Le Vite Hair Straightening Brush is a game changer and a quick option when we need to get ready for work in the mornings. Our hair comes out sleek and soft, despite having some wavy / coarse hair. Being able to brush through with the heat is amazing; you can get up right at the root and smooth it all the way down.
lE vOLUME 2-IN-1 VOLUMIZING BRUSH, $99
Another tested favorite from L’ange Hair is the Le Volume 2-in-1 Volumizing Brush Dryer. It combines the power of a high-speed dryer with the styling ability of a volumizing round brush to help you create the look you want with a single, easy-to-use tool. The Le Volume is a miracle brush: It eliminates the need for all our other tools. We can go from wet hair to a perfect blowout in about 25 minutes–no flat iron or round brush needed. You also only need one hand so there’s no arm fatigue!
Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Talc-Free Vegan Powder, $34
On busy mornings and crazy days, applying foundation and eyeshadow isn’t always in the cards. Sometimes we want to add a touch of natural-looking cover and color to our complexion for a more polished appearance. That’s where Kosas comes in.
Every beauty lover on your list will love the Los Angeles-based clean beauty brand that focuses on color cosmetics. With skincare-spiked formulas and a range of easy-to-wear colors for the eyes, lips, and skin, Kosas is a hit with makeup artists, beauty influencers, and everyday makeup wearers alike. Our favorites: The Cloud Set absorbed excess shine but didn’t dry out our skin. The powder enhanced the look of the previously applied complexion products—no chalky residue here.
kosas tinted air brow, $22
Another one of our favorites from Kosas is The Tinted Air Brow. It keeps your brows in place (even during a sweaty hour at spin class) and they didn’t appear crunchy, a frequent occurrence with other brow gels.
Native Maps Poster, $45
The pandemic ushered in a mass migration, and if you’re one of many who moved away and are feeling a little homesick, then a sentimental map print of your hometown will inspire you and remind you of the people and places you love. Printed by hand, Native Maps are beautiful and modern with its signature minimalist style, which makes it compatible with any room in the house.
Well Told Wine Tumbler, $30
In the same vein, raise a glass to your hometown or home state with this engravable wine tumbler from Well Told. It is fully customizable which means it can be engraved with a detailed map of the streets and neighborhoods of any U.S. city and town for a truly personalized gift you’ll keep with you for years to come.
KROMA BEAUTY MATCHA LATTE, $55
Treat the latte lovers in your life by upgrading their morning brew to Kroma’s Beauty Matcha Latte, which uses the finest Ceremonial Grade Matcha. It’s loaded with antioxidants, L’Theanine and powerful superfoods like turmeric, goji, maca, and ginger for a satisfying morning boost and ritual. Mix a spoonful (a little goes a long way) with your favorite nut milk and sweetener, then blend with a frother for that true cafe experience.