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. An Instant Pot Duo Plus multi-cooker, aka the most versatile appliance you could ever add to your kitchen. It replaces nine (!) different appliances, functioning as a slow cooker, pressure cooker, sauté pan, rice cooker, sterilizer, and more. This model adds a progress bar so you can see how much time you have left in each stage, including preheating!
2. A memory foam chair cushion designed to relieve pressure on your tailbone, hips, and lower back while sitting for long periods of time — reviewers say it's worked wonders for their aches and pains. Basically, it's the best thing you'll do for your tushy all year.
3. A reusable notebook you can fill with handwritten notes, then blast them straight to your smart device for storage, wipe the pages clean, and start over. No more stocking up on notebooks every semester — these 32 dotted grid pages are the only ones you'll ever need.
4. A rapid egg cooker made to take all the time and stress out of cooking eggs just the way you like them. This handy gizmo can cook you soft-, medium-, and hard-boiled eggs (up to six at once), and if you like poached or scrambled eggs, it can do that, too! You can even make an omelet in this thing.
5. A TikTok-famous rotating digital alarm clock that packs a lot of functionality without taking up much space. It sports a mirrored screen, digital clock, a soothing wake-up alarm (and snooze button), two USB outlets for charging devices, *and* three brightness levels including an automatic night mode.
6. A vampire garlic crusher to make cooking with garlic easier *and* more fun. In just a few seconds, you'll have freshly minced or chopped garlic for your meal and, of course, for keeping Dracula away.
7. Glossier Cloud Paint, a gel-cream blush that gives you a natural, sun-kissed glow without feeling heavy on your skin. Its lightweight formula is designed to be buildable so you can achieve a soft flush or a stronger pop of color.
8. A peanut butter knife for die-hard PB fans so not a single ounce of peanut butter gets left behind in the jar. Its extra-long blade with a rounded tip is capable of scraping the bottom and sides of the jar without getting any peanut butter on your knuckles!
9. A hide-a-squirrel plush dog toy to distract your pup for hours as they obsessively search for the squirrels tucked inside the log. You can also take the squeaky squirrels out and toss them for a game of fetch!
10. And a grooming rake with rotating teeth capable of gently removing loose fur from your dog's undercoat without any snags. It's designed for thick, dense fur and actually helps prevent tangles and mats!
11. A gorgeous little Magic Castle suncatcher you can place on a window to cast beautiful rainbows across the room on sunny days (while you dream of your next Disney vacation).
12. Book of the Month to give yourself something to look forward to (other than summer). There's truly nothing cozier than curling up with a good book, and it's a great escape from reality (which we're all in dire need of these days).
13. And a floral frame library stamp so you can leave your personalized touch on any books you own, claiming them as part of your "library."
14. Plus a Wicked Witch bookmark for Oz-loving bookworms, who'll get a kick every time they see the iconic slippers sticking out of their latest novel.
15. A Revlon one-step hair dryer and volumizer hot air brush so you can give yourself a salon-level blowout without stepping outside the house.
16. A Shrek toothpaste cap, because you won't be able to resist laughing every time you use it.
17. Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer, a vegan concealer worthy of being your go-to. Its full-coverage formula smooths and brightens dark undereye circles without that caked-on feeling you get from other concealers.
18. A Pick 'N Peel stone that many people say helps them with managing their anxiety and provides a soothing distraction from picking their own skin or nails.
19. And a color-shifting putty you can twist, tear, stretch, and otherwise fidget with in any way you like! Reviewers say it's helped them with anxiety and ADD by giving them a distraction, and it can help with strengthening wrists and hands as well.
20. A Sasquatch candle for anyone fully convinced the iconic creature from American folklore is still out there — or who just loves a novelty candle.
21. A mini heating pad that'll provide soothing heat relief for any sore, aching muscles and cheer you up with its earnest little face. This cozy friend is the perfect size for taking on the go — all you have to do is toss it in the microwave for immediate comfort.
22. The Adventure Challenge: Couples Edition, a book of scratch-off dates designed for long-term couples to have new experiences together with a variety of fun, memorable challenges to tackle — and the catch is that you won't know what you're doing until you scratch off that page's challenge.
The Adventure Challenge
Promising review: "The Adventure Challenge Couples Edition book has been such a great addition to our weekend plans! I love the spontaneity of not knowing what we're going to do every time we pull the book out. The last date we did we ended up setting up a movie on our patio complete with candy, an air mattress, and a makeshift TV stand. Needless to say it was just as fun setting it up as it was watching the movie! This is the perfect little gift for couple friends and it is such a fun concept. Can't wait for our next date!! :)" —Makenna W.
Get it from The Adventure Challenge for $44.99.
23. A luggage drink caddy that attaches to your suitcase handle so you can make that Starbucks stop and keep moving toward your terminal with a free hand for your phone or boarding pass. It can fit two drinks, or one drink and a snack — or any other small items you want to keep close at hand while in the airport!
24. A "Pun Intended" 2022 desk calendar delivering a fresh pun every single day of the year to make your family or coworkers groan (while putting a smile on your face).
25. Or a bubble-wrap 2022 calendar to give you the pure satisfaction of popping a single bubble every day of the year. (Don't worry, there are bonus bubbles included for particularly rough days.)
26. An itty-bitty light-up sign so you can display a motivating message for yourself — or something cheeky for your roommates or coworkers.
27. A 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle with a magical ~twist~ at the end that makes it so much more than it initially appears. The "Happy Isles" design is jam-packed with interesting details and Easter eggs to discover as you build, and as a plus, this box doesn't have any of that annoying puzzle dust.
28. And a wooden jigsaw puzzle organizer for sorting your pieces, assembling the puzzle, and — most importantly — storing it in between sessions if you're working on a larger piece and need to free up the dining table!
29. A fuzzy pair of memory foam loafers that are basically a warm hug for your feet, keeping them warm, cozy, *and* supported. The flexible rubber sole gives them traction and also makes them OK for brief trips outside.
30. A bathroom book by comedian Joe Pera for those times when you just need an excuse to escape an unpleasant conversation, avoid doing work, or find some peace and quiet in a hectic day. It's full of "darkly playful illustrations" and comedic writing intended to give you moment of respite before you have to venture out of the bathroom and (ugh) socialize some more.
31. A soft striped bralette comfy enough for all-day wear thanks to its stretchy elastic band (no wire!) and breathable mesh fabric. Unlike most bralettes, this one's supportive enough to pass as activewear without sacrificing an ounce of comfort or cuteness in its design!
32. A collection of 50 crossword puzzles from The New York Times, perfect for keeping your brain occupied on long trips or days when you're stuck indoors.
33. A transparent bird house feeder with strong suction cups so you can easily attach it to a window and watch birds gather all day long! It's sturdy enough to handle multiple birds at once without falling.
34. Apple's AirPods Pro, a pair of true wireless earbuds capable of active noise cancellation so you can immerse yourself in your music *and* block out the sound of your noisy neighbors, construction, and other distractions.
35. A stainless-steel chainmail scrubber for rigorous cleaning of your cast-iron skillet, capable of removing grit without stripping your cast iron of its seasoning.
36. Atlas Coffee Club to expose java lovers to new flavors and blends curated from around the world. It's *almost* like going on a coffee pilgrimage without having to leave the house.
37. And a Takeya cold brew maker so you can whip up a refreshing caffeinated drink whenever you please while saving money on those all-too-frequent Starbucks trips. This popular device boasts an airtight lid and stainless-steel filter designed to keep coffee fresh for up to two weeks!
38. Or a HyperChiller that can take a hot cup of coffee and chill it by 130 degrees in less than a minute!
39. Our Adventure Book, a scrapbook kit for couples that comes with everything you need to document your favorite experiences with your partner, giving you something really sweet to look back on in years to come.
40. Swedish dishcloths capable of absorbing up to 15 times their own weight. They're more durable and last longer than the average dishrag, and the best part is that you can just toss them into the dishwasher for cleaning!
41. Finally, a set of satin pillowcases designed to create less friction for your hair (so you wake up without tangles) and reduce split ends; they're also less drying for your skin than cotton. Plus, they stay refreshingly cool and feel great to sink your face into, even in the summer months.
Amazon
Promising review: "I was originally looking for silk pillowcases, but decided to give these a try because they were a better price. I am not disappointed! I have seen a noticeable difference in my hair in the mornings and overall they are so smooth and comfortable to sleep on. I’ve washed them several times and haven’t seen a difference in the quality. I would buy again." —Kate
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 22 colors and four sizes.)
All of us justifying our 2021 purchase history:
The year is almost over, and we're looking back on 2021. Check out more from the year here!
Note: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.