2025 Favorites: Our Top Picks Across Tech, Home and More

You asked, and we delivered: here are our real, personal favorite purchases from 2025. These are items we bought with our own money and kept using all year—things that made daily life a little easier, more beautiful, or just more fun. Whether you’re shopping for gifts or dropping hints about what you want, this list is a personal peek at what stood out for us this year. We organized selections as “superlatives” like Favorite Splurge and Favorite Sanity Saver. The only rule was: it had to be a purchase we made in 2025 that we genuinely loved.

We also have broader lists in our Holiday Gift Guides, but this post gets very personal: travel, beauty, tools, organization, and small upgrades that made a big difference. Many of these picks are affordable—sometimes it’s the small changes that brighten everyday life.

4. Favorite Easy Upgrade

Metallic Switch & Outlets: Swapping bulky white switch plates for sleek metallic covers transformed the look of our tiled backsplash. It’s an inexpensive change that blends hardware into the room and makes finishes feel intentional.

5. Favorite Hair Product

Madison Reed Hair Dye and Root Touch-Up: This dye gave my hair a softer texture and a natural color without the reactions I’d had to other products. The touch-up kit is perfect for quick maintenance between full-color sessions.

6. Favorite Nail Product

Olive & June Press-On Nails: Affordable, fast, and surprisingly realistic. These press-ons give salon-worthy results in about ten minutes and come in many finishes and lengths—perfect for an instant polished look.

7. Favorite Makeup

Tubing Mascara: This mascara lengthens and separates lashes without clumping and removes easily at the end of the day. A modern improvement over older, waxy formulas.

8. Favorite Skin Product

Collagen Powder: After trying a few brands, I found one that doesn’t irritate me. I mix a scoop into my coffee most mornings—it’s a convenient supplement I’ve enjoyed adding to my routine.

9. Favorite Sanity Saver

Family Wall Calendar: Putting a shared paper calendar in the kitchen made a huge difference. The kids can add events, everyone sees the family’s schedule at a glance, and small household logistics feel less chaotic.

10. Favorite Necklace

Tennis Necklace: I wanted a durable, well-made piece that still felt like an indulgence. This mid-priced option looks elegant layered or alone and has held up beautifully so far—exactly the look I wanted without the designer price tag.

11. Favorite Fragrance

Gautier Divine: I discovered this scent after smelling it on a friend and fell in love. It’s distinctive without being overt, and it’s become my go-to signature fragrance.

12. Favorite Kitchen Item

Brass Flatware: Replacing our old wedding flatware with a brass set instantly upgraded everyday meals. It’s an inexpensive change that elevates the dining experience and still feels practical for family use.

13. Favorite Allergy Helper

Quercetin: This supplement has dramatically reduced my cat allergy symptoms. Taking it daily has allowed me to be around my pets without irritation—an unexpected but welcome relief.

14. Favorite Earrings (TIE)

X earrings and chunky hoops: I rotate between these two pairs most days. The X studs are modern and layered well with other pieces, while the chunky hoops always look polished—both are comfortable for sensitive ears.

15. Favorite Travel Item

Carry-On Suitcase: Getting matching, reliable hard-case carry-ons felt like a grown-up milestone. They’re durable, roll smoothly, and fit most carry-on size limits—perfect for regular family travel.

16. Favorite Re-Buy

Affordable Headphones: We bought inexpensive wireless headphones for our teen, and they held up so well we happily replaced them when one went missing. They’re a practical, budget-friendly option that performs reliably.

17. Favorite Organizing Item

Cord Clips: An inexpensive eight-pack of cord clips has tamed bedside and desk clutter. They stick where you need them and keep chargers organized—small, cheap, and transformative.

18. Favorite Art & Craft

Frisket Masking Liquid: This masking fluid is a fun tool for watercolor projects. Kids love painting it on, letting it dry, and rubbing it off to reveal crisp, graphic white shapes beneath the paint. It’s creative, tactile, and rewarding.

Now I’ll hand things over to John to share his favorites from 2025.

John’s Favorite Things

Hi—John here. I don’t buy a lot of things unless I need to replace them, but a few purchases this year really stood out. Below are the items I used most and appreciated the most in 2025.

A quick look at why each of these made my list:

1. Favorite New Clothes

Quilted Half-Zip Sweater: I’m not big on shopping, but this pullover stood out immediately. It’s comfortable, versatile, and works for casual or slightly dressier occasions—an easy wardrobe win.

2. Favorite New Shoes

Slip-On Sneaker: These replaced my older everyday sneakers. They’re easy to slip on, comfortable for walking, and go with pretty much everything.

3. Favorite Splurge

Insta360 Camera: I bought this to capture paddleboarding footage with an invisible selfie stick. The 360-degree shots are fun and the camera is worth it for outdoor adventures and unique footage.

4. Favorite Sunglasses

Goodr: Affordable, durable sunglasses that I don’t worry about losing. I keep several pairs around the house and car—stylish and practical.

5. Favorite Kitchen Item

Roll-Up Drying Rack: Compact, easy to store, and great for saving counter space. It makes evening clean-up quicker and tidier.

6. Favorite Rainy Day Activity

299 Dogs & A Cat Puzzle: This whimsical puzzle has each piece shaped like an animal, which makes assembly delightfully challenging. It’s been a great family activity and led us to try similar designs.

7. Favorite Tech Toy

Pairable Bluetooth Speaker: Two portable speakers that pair easily for stereo sound became our favorite outdoor audio setup. They’re great for movies, poolside music, or backyard gatherings.

8. Favorite Workout Item

Sport Cap: Lightweight, comfortable hats replaced my tattered workout caps. I bought a few colors and they’ve been ideal for runs and outdoor workouts.

9. Favorite Travel Item

Cord Organizer: A zippered pouch for chargers and cables keeps suitcase electronics neat and accessible. Packing thoughtfully saves time and stress while traveling.

10. Favorite Grooming Item

Beard Trimmer: My old trimmer finally died, and the replacement is compact, cordless, and straightforward—exactly what I wanted.

11. Favorite Tool

Small Laser Level: I replaced an ancient model with a smaller, sturdier laser level that’s easier to use and store. It makes DIY tasks quicker and more precise.

12. Favorite Family Game

Qwirkle: This tile-based game balances strategy and visual play and has been a family favorite—challenging in a fun, approachable way.

13. Favorite Lifesaver

Wireless Charger: With our shift to USB-C devices, updated wireless chargers have been indispensable. They charge quickly, are compact, and are great for travel and everyday use.

14. Favorite Chore Helper

Plant Food: Adding a simple plant food to our watering routine revived many of our houseplants. A small habit with visible, cheerful results.

15. Favorite Book

Sunrise on the Reaping: I enjoyed this prequel in The Hunger Games series. It’s not perfect, but it offers an intriguing origin story and connected threads I appreciated as a fan.

16. Favorite Beverage

LMNT: These electrolyte packets are my go-to when I want flavored hydration without sugar. I mix them into a reusable bottle after workouts and find them very refreshing.

17. Favorite Re-Buy

Compact Sound Machine: We replaced worn-out units with the new model that includes Bluetooth and more sound options. The original models lasted nearly a decade—reliable and now slightly improved.

18. Favorite Didn’t Need To Re-Buy

Leather Key Ring: I didn’t buy this in 2025, but my durable leather key ring from 2018 is still going strong. It’s a small, inexpensive item that has lasted years—proof that some purchases are just worth it.