We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A gel polish starter kit if you're sick of paying $60+ for a basic mani (plus that's not including tip) and you've got plenty of time on your hands anyways.
What's included: Base coat, Cuticle fork, pusher and oil, bristle brush and brush duster, nail file and buffer, nail clipper and separators, 12 gel polish colors, gloss-shine top coat, and matte top coat.
Promising review: "Goodbye, salon. Hello, my new pastime. I absolutely love this kit and I tell everyone. I do my own nails now. They look salon quality for literally pennies. I use all Beetles products. There is a learning curve, but practice and patience make perfect and then your nails look bomb. This kit helps as you don’t have to try to mix and match everything — it’s all in one place. These are quality products. The kit does not disappoint." —Sara_Nicole
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in 14 variations).
2. A custom paint-by-numbers kit that'll make you into a straight-up Johannes Vermeer even if your art skills could typically be described as kindergarten level at best.
What's included: One pre-printed framed canvas, one set of brushes and one set of acrylic paints.
I bought one of these kits and painted a portrait of my family as a gift for my grandparents. I have literally zero artistic talent, but I do have determination and patience and honestly, that's all this requires! I bought a HUGE canvas so it did take me two+ months to complete, but if you go with a smaller size, it definitely doesn't have to be that big of a commitment. It came with plenty of paint but I also picked up some additional brushes and an easel which made things a lot easier.
Promising review: "I loved every minute of painting this! The colors are stunning and the numbers are easy to read. I definitely came to appreciate the number guide map that was sent as things got more intricate. The brushes held up well and plenty of paint was sent, so I had no fears of running out. It took me a long time to complete because I didn’t work on it every day, but the final product is a BEAUTIFULLY designed representation of the original photo! I am thrilled with it and I will cherish it forever!" —Andrea Arnold
Get it from Amazon for $43.99+ (available in six sizes).
3. A knit-your-own sweater kit because that special time of year — you know, when you get to *exclusively* live in oversized sweaters — is quickly approaching. I should also mention that it's made for beginners, so you don't need an FIT design degree to end up with something resembling clothing.
What's included: Five skeins of petite wool (in your choice of two colors), 11 knitting needles, an embroidered label, and a sewing needle.
Get it from We Are Knitters for $106+ (yarn is available in 30 colors and instructions are available in 11 languages).
4. A build-it-yourself Lego flower bouquet should you not have the patience/desire to cultivate *real* flowers but are totally down to devote some serious hours to constructing a 756-piece arrangement of fake ones.
Promising review: "Absolutely beautiful. I wasn’t very interested when I first saw them. Then I saw how everyone was displaying them so I thought I would give them a go. They finally came back in stock so I grabbed a box and I’m so glad I did. They really are stunning. I’ll build a Lego vase at some point to put them in but for now I can’t wait to display them so they are in a plain vase. Straightforward to build and and beautiful to display. An excellent purchase." —nanadoeslego
5. A deck of kitty cat tarot cards with a guidebook to make sure you're getting the most out of every reading and aren't just distracted by the cutesy illustrations.
Promising review: "Beautiful deck! Pretty cards, funny symbolism, and a sweet and playful personality! I love to do readings for people and myself with this deck, I love working with it! I'm a big cat lover, and I've been doing tarot for a while now. I always recommend to people who want a fun, lighthearted, playful reading. They make even the harshest advice easy to hear, without sacrificing accuracy or needed wisdom. Love, love, love it! I recommend! :D" —Roo
Get it from Amazon for $15.49.
6. Mystic Maze — a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle with all sorts of optical illusions and more than 50 easter eggs for you to discover along the way. And, perhaps best of all, NO PUZZLE DUST. Yes! That's a promise!
Fun fact: This was the most funded puzzle on Kickstarter, raising over $3 million. You can check out the Mystic Maze puzzle in action on TikTok, too (but warning: it will spoil the surprise!).
Promising review: "Just got this puzzle for something to do at home over the holidays. Seriously... I have never seen a puzzle quite like this! It’s very impressive and exceeded my expectations already. The packaging is beautiful inside and out. Everything about it shouts quality. I particularly liked the envelopes inside for the puzzle pieces and mystery. The whole vibe of The Mystic Maze is quality and fun, and also looks like a challenging puzzle. Certainly a good stay-home fun activity. Highly recommend!" —Kyle Fletcher
Get it from Amazon for $22.97.
7. And — to go with the above — a puzzle plateau so no pieces go missing. That name really has a ring to it, huh?
Promising review: "I love this puzzle board. I am able to start and stop a puzzle and have somewhere to store it along with the pieces. Well made product and I can tell this will last me a long time. I usually do 500-piece puzzles so the regular size was good for me." —Franklin
Get it from Amazon for $49.98.
8. A Book of the Month subscription that'll send you a hardcover book of your choice every month. It's like having a BFF with all the best book recs and gets more great titles on your shelf for less $$$.
You'll receive a current, best-selling book of your choice (from a rotating selection of five titles from different genres) every month for three, six, or twelve months.
Get it from Book of the Month for $49.99+.
Need more details before taking the plunge? Head to our more in-depth look at why A Book Of The Month Subscription Is The Best Gift To Give In 2020.
9. A full-body bath pillow so you can roll off of your regular mattress and onto your submerged mattress.
Promising review: "I love this thing so much. I have a standard tub/shower that is impossible to be comfortable in. This mat made my bath usable again! The quality of this thing is great and it has a little loop for easy hanging. I now I have to set a timer to remind myself to get out the bath. I could sleep in it now." —Autumn White
Get it from Amazon for $44.85 (available in two colors).
10. And a wine/can holder because sometimes, a bath bomb just isn't enough. Real ones know that true R&R involves a chilled glass of sickly sweet Barefoot attached securely to your shower wall — not perched precariously on the lip of your tub.
Promising review: "Having a shower beer has always been a nice relaxing way to chill after a long day of work. After moving to our new home, the new bathroom didn’t have shelves to place my shower beer on. So I got to looking for this exact thing. I read some reviews that said the suction didn’t work. Well, after a month it’s still holding strong. Helpful tip, lick the suction cup and stick it on the wall. Also it can be used as a cell phone holder. This is a must for anyone that enjoys a refreshing drink while showering." —Tyler Strain
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in five styles/colors).
11. A Hunt A Killer subscription if you're the type who's always upset when the murder on Unsolved Mysteries goes...unsolved. With this monthly kit, you can do your own detective work decoding ciphers, piecing together timelines, and going through a victim's personal effects in order to get to the bottom of their case.
Hunt A Killer currently has 14 episodic murder mystery games — which include six boxes and 10- to 15-hours of gameplay — and 17 all-in-one murder mystery kits which can be completed in a single night. Themes include the Blair Witch experience (self-explanatory), Baker's Dozen (players have to figure out which cooking show contestant plans to poison the judges), and Body On The Boardwalk (players have to narrow down suspects in a seaside amusement park whodunit).
Get it from Hunt A Killer for $25+/per month (you can buy a one-time box or 6- or 12-month subscription).
12. A terrarium-building kit so you can cultivate a whimsical garden without even having to step foot outside. Plus, since the succulents and moss require v little maintenance, it'll free up more time for you to tend to virtual weeds in Animal Crossing.
The kit comes courtesy of Cori Kippin, the artist behind Living Arrangement, an Etsy shop specializing in terrarium supplies and art. If you need more living holiday decor, check out the shop's handmade wreaths and ornamental fairy houses which come straight from Maine.
What's included: A 6-inch glass container, sphagnum moss, soil, charcoal, drainage rock, ornamental rocks, sea treasures/woodland treasures, instructional pamphlet, and — if you buy the kit that comes with plants — two succulents.
Promising review: "Sent this to my mom and it's AMAZING! I want one for myself now! She called me to open it together and she was SO EXCITED! There were a bunch of really cool unique bits and a dino! It's a great gift and fun to put together!" —Robyn Nova
Get it from Living Arrangement on Etsy for $35.99+ (available in two shapes and with/without succulents).
13. A Jason Momoa coloring book, which will give Aquaman/Khal Drogo fans ample time to admire the curvature of his every muscle and bounce of each beachy wave.
Promising review: "I love this book. So many to chose from. Very relaxing wondering and thinking what color suits the surroundings and him. Love it and definitely recommend if you're a Momoa fan and need to relax." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $8.80.
14. A miniature library or greenhouse kit with real LED lights if you were the type of kid who LOVED making dioramas for class. Now, you can make one in your spare time and then force your friends to take a "tour" whenever they're over.
Hands Craft is an LA-based shop from Isaiah Lee who specializes in 3D wooden puzzles and miniatures for kids and adults. The kits come with everything you need to assemble your itty bitty room including paint, brushes, LED lights (with batteries), glue, and tweezers.
Promising review: "I’m obsessed with this DIY mini library! It’s so fun to put together and challenging enough to feel like a long-ish term project. The furniture is so cute, I’m really impressed by the quality of everything! I can’t wait to start making the tiny books." —Amy Schwabauer
Get them both from Hands Craft on Etsy; the library for $42.99 and the greenhouse for $42.99.
15. A bagel and cream cheese-making kit (straight from Brooklyn) with everything one needs to make a bodega-worthy sandwich with schmear.
What's included: Cheese cloth, bagel making mix, malt syrup, baking yeast, vegetable rennet, and specialized ingredients based on the flavor of the kit you select.
Promising review: "So, the process was not entirely-stress free. We could only find ultra-pasteurized heavy cream! Were we rolling the bagels right? But you can't argue with results. Sitting down to eat a meal of bagels with a schmear that you made from scratch is amazing. Next time, it'll be easier." —Gabriela
Get it from Uncommon Goods for $30.
16. A KitchenAid stand mixer just begging you to try your hand at every Christina Tosi creation. Imagine a world in which you perfect Milk Bar's signature birthday cake and you can eat it whenever you want. 🍰 🤤
The five-quart stainless-steel bowl can mix dough for nine dozen cookies or four loaves of bread in a single batch! The mixer comes with a coated flat beater, a coated dough hook, a six-wire whip, and a pouring shield.
Promising review: "Yep, it's worth all the rave reviews it gets and the price point, too. This thing is a sturdy, pretty little workhorse that handles cookies, breads, and whatever else. I've never baked more, now that I have it and the attachments are so EASY. They mix ingredients well. They come clean well. My food comes out fabulous. I upgraded to this from a hand-me-down mixer from the '90s and this machine is the most amazing upgrade. Buy it, it's worth the investment." —Sara
Get it from Target for $399.99 (available in four colors).
17. A low-maintenance countertop garden that is seriously a foolproof way to grow your own produce. And I don't mean foolproof in the way that "a succulent is nearly impossible to kill!" — because I've sadly killed plenty...
This kit comes with a six seed pods (Genovese Basil, Curly Parsley, Dill, Thyme, Thai Basil, and mint) a 3-oz bottle of our patented, all natural plant nutrients (enough for a full season of growth). There's no soil, no loose seeds, no needing to move it in/out of direct sunlight, etc., etc. You literally just plug it in, pop in the pods, give them an initial spritz, and watch it get to work!
Promising review: "I travel a lot for work and the AeroGarden, despite its price, has actually saved me a lot of money. I love fresh herbs and lettuce but I tend to throw so much away. With this I pick what I need which I love. The leaves are lush and huge compared to store bought bagged/boxed mixes which are great for sandwiches and burgers. I have three of these, two with herbs and one with various lettuces. The company is great, too; I had a seed pod that didn't sprout and they sent me a new one." —Vanessa MS
Get it from Amazon for $129.95 (available in three colors).
18. A set of meditation cards with 40 beautiful illustrations and illuminating prompts that'll help you check in with yourself every day.
The Lamare is a Jacksonville, Florida-based small business that specializes in journals, planners, and meditation cards. Prompts in this set include "What does my perfect day look like?" "What would I do if I was financially free?" and "When do I feel fulfilled and motivated?"
Promising review: "So I got myself this deck to help inspire me to get back into journaling and wow, oh, wow did it exceed my expectations! It arrived in a timely manner, is beautiful, and the cards have a good feel to them. It went above and beyond what I thought it would be! The questions are so thoughtful and I will for sure purchase from this store again in the future!" —Katrina Evans
Get them from The Lamare on Etsy for $19.95.
19. A MasterClass subscription if you're the type of person who loves to learn, learn, and learn some more. You can take 90-minute courses on everything from screenwriting with Aaron Sorkin to scientific thinking with Neil deGrasse Tyson.
MasterClass currently has more than 180 classes with instructors — like Tan France, Issa Rae, and Robin Roberts 😍 — who teach about a variety of topics including art, business, food, science, tech, wellness, and government. While chances are slim you won't find something that piques your interest, new classes are also added every month. Plus, you can download and view the videos offline, so you can turn any commute into class time.
Get an annual subscription from MasterClass for $120.
20. A Best Year journal with 232 pages where you can lay out your goals, create an action plan, and keep track of personal and professional progress. The pages are undated, so if you miss a few days and then pick it back up later, that's no problemo.
Promising review: "I’m usually someone that purchases new daily planners every year. I use them — for a while — and then I forget about them. This journal feels different. A beautiful cover and truly a personal journal designed to help you break through to your goals. I love the intentional reflection that's built in." —Team Mom
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
21. A DIY mochi-making kit if you're the type of person who makes several dedicated trips to Trader Joe's every week just to pick up some of the sweet stuff.
Each kit has enough to make four batches — aka 32 matcha- and cocoa-flavored mochi balls.
What's included: sweet rice flour, potato starch, matcha green tea powder, cocoa powder, dough cutter, silicone mochi mold, and step-by-step instructions.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this kit! It's a fun way to make mochi which is my absolute favorite. I now have the molds forever, too, so I can always buy more ingredients and make more whenever. It is sticky so use the potato starch they give. The hardest part is waiting for it to be ready!" —Sam
Get it from Uncommon Goods for $35.
22. A starter matcha set with everything you need to whip up your favorite Shrek-colored drink.
What's included: Large matcha bowl (Chawan), natural handcrafted bamboo whisk (Chasen), traditional tea scoop spoon (Chashaku), ceramic tea powder caddy with matching whisk holder, and stainless steel sifter.
Just FYI: you have to buy matcha separately, so don't forget!
Promising review: "I bought this set since I love matcha. The bowl, sifter, and whisk are great quality. I am not an expert in matcha, so I just followed the instructions. I whisked my matcha for a minute or so and it tastes great! However, I will probably try to whisk it for longer next time to get more froth. I filled the caddy with the matcha powder for future use. Clean up is simple and I can put the bowl in the dishwasher." —Mochi217
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
23. A gooseneck tablet and phone stand you can hook up to your bed frame or nightstand so you can mindlessly scroll TikTok — look, Ma, no hands! — while Netflix also plays in the background. 😈
Promising review: "It is a very cool device and I love using it with my Kindle and Kindle page turner for hands-free reading!!! It is very secure and doesn’t move once attached properly. It is tough to adjust if it’s not attached and I like that. Highly recommend!" —Dottie
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in black and white).
24. A beginner embroidery kit if you've been jonesing to cross stitch something with a naughty lil' saying but annoyingly have to master the basics first...
55 Tree is a Guangzhou, China-based shop with TONS of embroidery kits so one is sure to strike your fancy.
What's included: An embroidery frame, an illustrated linen fabric, an embroidery needle, thread for the projects, a digital copy of instructions, and a stitching guide.
Promising review: "Great beginners' kit and very easy to follow! Lovely color scheme as well. Seller was extremely efficient with shipping, I got a shipping confirmation within hours of ordering." —Amy Zeng
Get it from 55 Tree on Etsy for $7.92+ (originally $9.90+; available in six patterns).
25. A Criterion Channel subscription so you can catch up on Hollywood classics that are hard to find elsewhere. Film buffs will also appreciate that you can filter by director, exclusive Criterion editions, and more.
The streaming library offers access to more than 1,000 films from classic Hollywood hits to under-the-radar international and art-house picks.
Get it from Criterion Channel for $10.99/month or $99.99/year.
26. A heated eye massager that can help with a slew of concerns from eye strain and dry eyes to headaches and insomnia. It has five different oscillating massage settings *and* built-in Bluetooth so you can listen to your fave podcast or a spa playlist on Spotify while you relax.
Promising review: "I saw this product on one of Amazon’s must-have TikTok videos and I knew I had to get it. It was so worth it — even though price may seem higher compared to other sellers, this is for sure a good investment piece. The quality is top notch, the strap that goes around your head is comfortable, and most importantly, the duration of each mode is long enough that it doesn’t interrupt your rest. I work a 12-hour night shift as a nurse and this technology has helped me get through the night easily.👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $48.99+ (available in three colors).
27. The I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook with 150 different recipes that incorporate ~delish~ ingredients from the World's Best Grocery Store™
Promising review: "For Trader Joe's lovers everywhere, this is a fantastic cookbook! It is filled with hints and tips, shopping guidelines, nicely organized recipe categories, and beautiful mouthwatering pictures. I love how the recipes are noted if they are gluten-free or vegetarian, etc. I ❤ Trader Joe's and I ❤ this cookbook!" —Love My Bookish Life
Get it from Amazon for $3.99+ (available in paperback and Kindle formats).
28. A teensy tiny Dash ice cream maker so you can whip up some mint chocolate chip froyo right at home — no need to leave the sweet, sweet embrace of your sweats and blanket burrito.
Promising review: "This was purely an impulse buy but I’m glad I did. Let your frozen dessert creativity go wild with this handy little gadget. Make frozen yogurt, sorbet, or ice cream in virtually any flavor you can come up with. The ice cream maker is easy to use and comes with a small recipe book, but you can find all manner of recipes online. Any flavor of yogurt becomes a cold refreshing tasty treat or find an ice cream recipe that you want to give a go." —Chris T.
Get it from Amazon for $21.95 (available in two colors).
29. A flower frog set if you've enjoyed creating your own arrangements ever since watching The Big Flower Fight on Netflix.
Promising review: "I love to have fresh cut flowers in the house and with spring and summer right around the corner, I wanted something to display flowers from my garden. The design allows a small bouquet to look much larger. Friends have commented on it and asked where I got it. I think it would make a great gift for any flower enthusiast." —J. Williams
Get it from Amazon for $18.95.
30. An affordable (and personalized!) Papier planner that'll help you feel like you have your life together even if the only constant in your life is that you keep buying asparagus, forget it's in your fridge, and then find it wilted a week later (and then repeat the cycle over again...)
31. An easy-to-install hummingbird feeder for turning any perfectly average window into a full-on bird observatory with 100% free admission.
Promising review: "This hummingbird feeder is made with large powerful suction cups so I have no concerns that the feeder will fall. The nectar is close to the feeding holes so the birds have no trouble feeding. I also like that it's very easy to see that the birds have been feeding, even when you don't catch them in the act because the nectar levels are clearly visible. It's very easy to empty, clean, and refill. I tried two other feeders from other manufacturers and found problems with both, but this one is a keeper!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $34.55.
32. A DIY candle kit if your form of self-care is cleaning your house top to bottom and then lighting up a new scent so you can *truly* enjoy it.
This kit comes with everything you'll need: soy wax, a reusable mason jar, essential oil blends, four candle tins and wicks, crystal packs, and step-by-step instructions!
Urban Kangaroo is an adorable small business based in California that focuses on creating fun DIY kits! They've got everything from bath bomb kits, macramé plant hanger kits, and more.
Promising review: "Bought a total of four kits for a girls retreat and the candles were such a hit!!! All of the scents smelled great and the activity was great to so together. Instructions were simple and the kits included everything we needed!!!" —Paige
Get it from Urban Kangaroo on Etsy for $34.46 (originally $45.95).
33. A Sculpd pottery kit with all the supplies and tools you need to sculpt, carve, paint, and varnish your own creations. You can make plant pots, candle holders, vases — anything your heart desires!
Every Sculpd kit comes with two packs of premium air-dry clay, a step-by-step beginners pottery guide, carving, shaping, and cutting tools placed in a tool bag, white waterproof paint, waterproof glossy and matte varnish, two paintbrushes, and a smoothing sponge.
Sculpd is a small business that's all about inspiring and motivating everyone (especially beginners!) to dip their toes in the pottery art form..
34. A crossword book from A24 with 99 puzzles that will test your knowledge on everything from slasher films and Miyazaki animations to Twin Peaks and Space Balls. Heck, there's even an opportunity for you to flex your your Soviet cinema muscle.
Get it from A24 for $34.
35. And a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition in BookTok's beloved agave green. The new color is so dreamy, but this upgraded Kindle Paperwhite also boasts a wireless charger, an auto-adjusting front light, and 32GB of storage.
Promising review: "I am so happy to be reading more, and I find it easier to take around with me than carrying my book around. Easy to travel with, and battery life is amazing. I initially was skeptical because I love holding a physical book but ever since I received my new Paperwhite, everything has changed. Lightweight, and so functional and easy to use. I have the free trial of Kindle Unlimited and it's the best. I have been reading books and downloaded so much. LOVE LOVE LOVE THE GREEN COLOR. It is so pretty." —eileeenie
Get it from Amazon for $189.99 (available in three colors).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.