A holiday gift guide for another trying year
We’re not really sure what to make of this year. It wasn’t normal, but it wasn’t 2020, either. Some things got better, and having safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines helped a great deal. There were still plenty of other issues as the economy tried to get back on track, with closures in different parts of the world and sudden jumps in demand causing all sorts of financial and supply chain issues. So, while it was better than 2020, perhaps the best thing you can say about this year is that it too is almost over. That alone is worth celebrating. We made it through another pandemic year. Reward that special someone — yes, that can be you — in your life with something from this gift guide. Let’s just hope it arrives in time.
Hear what you want and none of what you don’t with these noise-cancelling earbuds. Waiting for a train or a plane and need to hear important announcements? There’s a setting for that. Walking on a busy street and need to hear background noise? There’s a setting for that. Want to hear your music or podcast and absolutely nothing else? There’s definitely a setting for that, with industry-leading noise cancellation. Charge quickly — get 60 minutes’ worth of life in 5 minutes — and wirelessly, then tune out all the noise.
There’s a pretty good chance you have some stress built up. This handheld deep-tissue massager can work it out in a matter of minutes, with a speed range of 1,750 to 2,400 percussions per minute. Customize your recovery with a therapy specific to the workout you just did by integrating your Apple Health or Google Fit routines. The attachments are made from closed-cell foam rather than hard plastic so as not to beat your body up while helping it recover. It’s like having a personal massage therapist on call.
Even if we never cooked before the pandemic, a lot of us fancy ourselves home chefs after all this time. And we’re frustrated with our old cookware. We want something that can handle it all. The Always Pan can braise, sear, steam, strain, sauté, and fry. Plus, you can serve and store in it. It might be the only thing we need to host our next dinner and show off all our newfound skills to friends.
What Peloton did for the exercise bike, Hydrow is doing for the rowing machine. It’s a full-body workout, using 86% of your muscles. Users get cardio and strength workouts with low impact on their joints. More than 2,000 workouts are available on-demand, including yoga and Pilates as well as rowing sessions along some of the most beautiful waterways in the world. Users can challenge themselves with live workouts or row gently down the stream at their own pace.
Why own and need to store a private jet when you can charter one within as little as 4 hours’ notice and head off to one of more than 4,000 airports worldwide. Now that things are opening up more, the world is your oyster with many destinations within easy reach. Anything from helicopters and turbo props to VIP airliners are at your disposal, so no matter where you’re headed the journey is sure to be epic.
Whether we’re back in the office or resigning ourselves to sprucing up the home office, this subscription service delivers fresh art to brighten things up every three months. Curate your own collection by choosing works from a number of different artists and change things up so you never get bored looking at the same old paintings every day. The service is only available in select locations in the Northeast Corridor for now, but its popularity could lead to an expansion.
More than just a device to illuminate the workspace, this lamp is attuned to the body’s circadian rhythms, bringing the effects of natural light indoors. The day starts with a simulated sunrise with wavelengths in the “sky blue” spectrum, stimulating alertness that continues all day as the light changes to mimic the mid-day sun. At dusk, things shift to violet-blue, promoting a gentle letdown that leads into a good night’s sleep. Start the day fresh, keep energy throughout, and get solid rest to do it all again.
Whether part of the new commute or the new exercise break, e-bikes will get you where you’re going. The pedal assist on the Neo 3EQ can get up to 20 mph, with a range of 65 miles on a single charge. From the comfortable seat to the shock-absorbent tires to the Bosch Active Line motor that can boost power input by 250%, this e-bike has what it takes to make the ride as smooth as possible.
Mophie 4-in-1 wireless charging mat
Charge your phone, ear buds, smartwatch, and other devices in one spot without all the clutter. The mat works for Google Pixel, Apple iPhone, and Samsung Galaxy smartphones, plus Apple watches and AirPods. If it’s Qi-enabled, it’ll charge on the Mophie 4-in-1. The minimalistic design looks good and fades into the background, unlike that tangle of wires taking up half the living room. With up to 15 watts of power, devices will charge faster than they do when plugged in, too.
It’s still the holiday season, and relaxation with the whole family is the name of the game. It’s hard to get more comfortable than in these organic cotton PJs that keep bodies toasty and come in all sizes, from infant to adult. There’s no better gift than forcing the entire family to don matching pajamas to open presents and snap a photo for next year’s holiday card. They’ll be so cozy they won’t mind a bit.
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