Not A Gift Guide (Gift Guide) 2025!

My Annual Favorite Things List

It’s that time of year again! When we’re inundated with gift guides and yet somehow are still paralyzed by what to put under the tree that communicates just the right message to the receiver without breaking the bank or killing the vibe.

Well, I can’t really solve all your gift gifting woes (especially in this economy, in this crazy year) but what I CAN do is share a list of my favorite things from 2025 that maybe (just maybe) might be something you want for yourself.

Because that’s what my annual Not A Gift Guide (Gift Guide) really is - MY favorite things that I think might become YOUR favorite things.

I think about this guide all year long and keep a running list of things I’m enjoying that may or may not make it to this final compilation. What’s interesting is that every year this list gets a little more scarce. Not because I don’t have favorite things, but because those favorite things don’t change year-to-year so much anymore.

It’s a blessing of getting older, I guess, that we know what we like and we tend to stick to it. Personally, I’ve also lost the energy and desire to try a bunch of new things all the time anymore, especially when I already have favorites. Hence, the Hall of Fame section here in the NAGG where I share things that have really withstood the test of time.

However, there were some real standouts to my year that I’m giving GOLD STARS to right off the bat, and then I’m closing this year’s NAGG with a new feature! I opened up NAGG nominations to my paid Secret Stuff members and they really came through. I’m sharing some of their recommendations that I have (literally) already added to my own cart.

Ready to go? Let’s get to it!

**Reminder that I use affiliate links throughout this gift guide

GOLD STARS

My top 4 Favorite Things this year is a real peek into my personality in 2025.

1. MONEY HAIR MASQUE - I have not been able to stop raving about this hair masque that you apply in the shower like conditioner and let it sit for 3 - 5 minutes before rinsing out. I like it because it’s easy (it’s part of my normal shower routine and doesn’t require 30+ minutes or getting in and out of the shower to rinse) but I love it because my hair has never looked better. I bought the giant tub in March and I’m not even halfway through it. (But I also have very fine hair and only use it once a week-ish)

2. OPAL App - I have put a decent amount of effort into changing my relationship with my phone (really with social media) this year, and the Opal app has been the biggest help. It’s just an app blocker, and there are a lot of those (and I've tried many of them), but this one makes the most sense to me and my brain. I don’t need all the bells and whistles and am fine with the free version.

3. This UNDERWATER CAMERA made our family trips this year that much better. I have teenagers who have been taking silly underwater photos since they were little in the backyard pool, but it turns out underwater photos are fun for all ages. We upgraded the camera this year and got so many great shots with friends and sharks!

4. Last year one of my Favorite Things was splurging for the annual membership to the Chani Nicholas Astrology app and then in August we held an Astrology Symposium for Secret Stuff members with Meg Tietz, where several members ending up getting various readings from Meg and raving about them. (See all that she offers here.) Of course I had to try it myself and y’all…the Whole Self reading from Meg Tietz took my breath away. She combines your astrological chart, enneagram number, and Myers Briggs personality type to really look at who you are, what your motivation in life is, and how you will find fulfillment, and then she delivers it all in a comprehensive document. (You can add on the audio of her reading it to you, which of course I did, because no one has a better voice.) I cried. I journaled. I felt so SEEN. This is a gift to yourself or for someone else that is worth every penny and more.

HALL OF FAME

These are things I recommend over and over again. (Don’t believe me - every single one of these showed up in the 2024 NAGG, which still has a lot of relevant gift ideas if you’re still browsing, especially for teenagers.)

1. Living Libations Best Skin Ever has been my favorite skin oil for years now and it’s so reasonably priced. I love the smell (it’s very patchouli, so know that) and I use it year ‘round for my dry skin. It’s also the only oil I use when I shave my face of peach fuzz every week or so. (I use these razors, fyi)

2. Not a week goes by without someone popping into my DMs to ask which Kindle I recommend. While I’m still holding on to my Oasis with buttons (which they don’t make anymore), I tell everyone to grab the latest Signature Paperwhite. You don’t need a ton of storage (16GB is fine) and I don’t think the colorsoft is worth the extra money. I would pay the extra few bucks to get it without ads on the screen.

3. I’ve been wearing these Hooper glasses for long enough now that they feel a little like a signature piece of style.

4. Jennifer Fischer makes my favorite Gold Hoops, but this year I transitioned from the chunkier versions to these 2” thread hoops.

5. Last year I ditched all my normal day time bras for the Perfect Neckline Bra in several colors because it really is the ultimate bra. No underwire. Totally comfortable but also polished enough to wear under nicer clothes.

6. I’ve cycled through a few different headphones/earbuds over the years, but I’m pretty dug in on the Bose QuietComfort Ultras. They have the best noise cancelling for earbuds and stay in my ears for hours at a time. Obviously they’re great for podcasts, audiobooks, and music, but I really love them for volleyball tournaments when I use them for noise cancelling without looking rude.

7. Back on the theme of changing my relationship to my phone, a couple of years ago I ditched using my phone as an alarm and now sleep with it way across the room. I was only able to do that because of the Loftie clock. I had tried cheaper clocks but hated their alarms. Loftie’s alarm options are so nice, and I like that through the app you can set a whole schedule of alarms in advance.

8. More phone woes - anyone else suffer from tech neck? Not only do I spend too much time staring down at my phone, I seem to scrunch up my shoulders while doing so. This very random looking foam alignment thing works so well to adjust my neck pain in just 10 minutes.

STYLE

After experiencing a real style rut for YEARS following the pandemic, I’m finally playing around again with my personal style. I have a few ideas why I finally got some energy back for style-related things, and I’ll share those in my end-of-year reflections.

Even still, I wasn’t totally sure I had a lot to share here in the NAGG about it, until I put together the above collage and then I was like, yep, that is fairly representative for how I looked this year.

1. I discovered my go-to daily jeans on the sale rack at Bloomindales’s in the spring and loved the Cropped Alexa so much that I ordered another pair in a darker wash so I could keep wearing them into the cold months. These are high rise, the softest denim, and cropped with a frayed hem to show off sandals or boots. These are definitely casual, but I reached for them over and over again.

2. More glasses. This time readers. My eyes have been teetering for a couple of years now and I swear they just went bad almost overnight. At least there are a million cute options these days? These are definitely trendier in the aviator silhouette and don’t forget my favorite place to buy designer sunglasses.

3. Both the coats in this list are expensive, but they make a real style statement for every outfit. The maje wool jacket is super new but will be my staple for the next few months. It’s generous, consider sizing down.

4. I’m almost positive I put these UGG Lowmel sneakers on the NAGG last year when they were still pretty new, but my daughter and I both got pairs of these last fall and have worn them a TON. They’re out with new colors this year and we both like that they look like real shoes but feel like UGGs.

5. Did I find the perfect white tee??? Okay, actually, it’s not perfect for all occasions but it’s a really, really good one to have as a staple. It’s so thick, you could wear a black bra and I don’t think you’d see it. It’s boxy and cropped (which goes well with most of my high waisted pants) and I love it. If you’re looking for a more traditional plain white tee, I am also really loving this one (thinner, but not too thin, drapes well, and is good quality cotton).

6. A sling bag that honestly belongs more in my Hall of Fame section, since I’ve had it and raved about it for a few years now. It’s’ definitely an investment for this type of casual bag, but it’s my travel and volleyball tournament go-to because it looks nice (the leather is great) and holds so much more than your typical cross body. You have to buy the strap separately. This is the one I have.

7. The oxblood/burgundy color is everywhere right now (I mean seriously everywhere) so I thought if I was going to do the trendy color I wanted to do it in a piece I could wear a lot. I actually bought this Zadig & Voltaire coat for the jackass art show opening night and got tons of compliments. It looks better in person than online (trust).

8. This Gorjana Heart Charm is so shiny and substantial, it looks way more expensive than it is and people comment on it all the time. (You have to buy the necklace separately.)

9. I bought a pair of toe-ring beek sandals this summer that seriously go with everything. I wore them to the pool and I wore them with a nice dress. They sold out of the exact pair I have, but these are close. I will likely buy another pair in a different color for next summer because the quality and customer service was also great.

10. Although I am still a sweatshirt cult evangelist, working from home and doing A LOT of video meetings and recordings, I have started leaning more into the work cardigan to look a little more polished. I have some long standing favorites (like this cashmere one from Jenni Kayne) but put a few new versions in rotation this year like this Pendleton sweater! I didn’t even know Pendleton made sweaters, but they have such cute options. The one I have is down to only a few sizes left, but I also really love this one and this one.

You can shop all of my NAGG Beauty & Style selections in one place HERE.

HOME & TRAVEL

It’s telling that this section usually has a bunch of kitchen stuff, but alas I did nothing very exciting in the kitchen this year. We poured all of our home creativity and resources into extensive backyard renovations, which are not exactly linkable. But I did make a few upgrades worth sharing!

1. We got new sheets from Parachute Home for the primary bedroom and they are dreamy. We went with Percale, as I like a crisp sheet, and in the store they talked me into getting cream instead of my usual white and I have no regrets about that, either. It’s barely cream - more like ivory - and I agree that the color warmth is nice in the bedroom.

2. I upgraded my Tumi backpack this year after my previous one lasted me for EIGHT YEARS. (And was still going strong except some of the outer leather started to peel away.) Jeff had this version that I had long admired so I splurged on it, too, knowing it would take me through nearly another decade. It’s light but very substantial and might be more than most people need, but this is my only personal item when I fly (I pack a purse inside it). I have a whole travel system for myself, so the more pockets the better. The colors seems to be limited on the one I have, and it looks like this one is the new equivalent. There are also slimmer profiles if you prefer that. I am a huge Tumi fan for luggage and buy most of my big pieces from the outlet, where you cannot tell a single difference.

3. I’m also often experimenting with various ways to pack my toiletries, since the older I get the more of those I have than clothes to pack! (Not really, but kind of?) I kept getting served this Parallelle Toiletries Organizer ad on social media and I finally gave in and it is actually so nice. I got the medium size and it holds a ton more than you would think. Like…a lot. I think i’m going to buy the small size companion and call it good.

4. Not one but two different friends this year gifted me a bluetooth sleep mask. I don’t have trouble sleeping in my regular bed but it would be nice for traveling or if you live in a loud environment. This one is so soft and doesn’t bug while sleeping.

5. My sister-in-law hauled this ornament storage contraption out when we were visiting for Thanksgiving a few years ago to start decorating her tree and I was completely jealous. I waited until the after Christmas sale to buy myself one and I have no regrets. It makes decorating and packing up the tree so easy and it’s easy to store away.

BEAUTY

I stuck with mostly my old faves this year (You can view my full Makeup & Skincare favorites HERE) but there a few new things:

1. I desperately need to upgrade a few of my makeup brushes but haven’t had the time to do an research or testing but I did find this Chanel retractable eye shadow brush that I love for a few reasons. There are two different brush styles in one and because they’re retractable you can throw them in your makeup bag and not be so precious about storing them or anything. Glory!

2. I bought the Dr Dennis Gross Blur & Repair cream in the spring Sephora sale after reading some reviews and it does exactly what it says it does: acts as a primer and a moisturizer all in one. I only use this when I’m doing a fuller face of fancy makeup (so not my daily easily routine) but I really like it.

3. Both my daughter Lucy and I are completely obsessed with blushes these days and Merit Blush is our current shared favorite. Between us, we have 4 colors that we share and swap. (She also swears by Rare Beauty Blush in the shade Hope)

4. The Westman Atelier Bronzing Stick is part of my quick daily makeup routine. I only like cream bronzer these days and this one is smooth and subtle and blends nicely. I use the color Biscuit.

Reminder that I’ve put all of the beauty and style NAGG items in one place HERE.

And finally….

SECRET STUFFERS RECOMMEND

I asked the Secret Stuff community to share some of their favorite things of the year for the NAGG and WOW did they come through.

I’m going to list most of their recommendations below, but I couldn’t get to everything. If you want to read the post with all their nominations and commentary in the comments, you can find that here.

• Our very own Secret Stuff producer Colleen Kehoe Powell nominated the BRICK. “This thing has changed my whole relationship to my phone.”

• JenK says this: “A favourite gift in our house began a few years ago when I needed “just one more thing” for each child. I went through the photos I’d taken throughout the year and printed 15–20 for each of them, then popped them into a small photo album. My kids loved seeing the images that would never make it into a frame or a larger photo book — little snippets of everyday life from the year.”

• lawditory said that the Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Multi Balm Stick is “so freaking good I cannot even believe it’s real!!” (Yes, this is one of the items I added to cart immediately)

• Jackie Sandora recommends the Davines OI oil for curly hair, the Rothy’s casual clog, and this portable travel charger

• Sheri J recommends the Kobo e-reader for “anyone looking to break free completely from Amazon by moving on from Kindle” and says the Passion Planner is her “favorite planner by far [and] supports queer/bipoc small business owner”

• Mary turned us all on to Everlasting Candles and said “they are so simple and chic and light up a room.”

• Amy said that The Nourished Planner is her “favorite planner of all time. It is basically my entire brain”

• Holly Bray says, “If you have an espresso machine at home and want fancy drinks (and your machine doesn’t already have some kind of milk frothing component) then this machine is a must.”

• Shelby Watwood recommends this collapsible tripod that connects to your phone via bluetooth to take photos when traveling, this travel electronics organizer, and the Priorities game

• Natalie shared that the Calpack Luka Duffel is “a lightweight, sturdy & roomy personal item [that] and holds up so well” (I also have this and can confirm!), she also swears by this sports bra with molded (non-removable!) cups, the Grace & Stella under eye patches, and “one definite splurge - the Bon Charge sauna blanket. This helps with me to wind down at night, relieves aches and pains, and I sleep so much better on the nights I use it.”

• Becky says, “The Mother Science molecular hero serum has transformed my face!! Favorite new thing this year by a mile.”

• Becky Hellwig (two Beckys in a row!) swears by the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (and I do, too!)

• Abbie Schiller says that this coffee warmer “has made every single day a little better for me (at my desk).”

• Heidi Doerfert recommends making your own coffee table book of photos using Pixory. She also shared the Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Cream and that she loves Resort Pass

• Last but definitely not least, Kimberly Arellano raved about Bed Jet, saying “this is amazing at keeping cool in the summer and warm in the winter in bed.”

And what’s on my personal wish list this holiday season? Well, I am eyeing these duster earrings and the AYR Secret Sauce jeans that Sarah James always raves about.

But mostly I’m looking forward to the holiday season for the same reasons I always do: because it brings reflection. Journaling. Rest. Dreaming about what’s ahead. And BEST OF book lists - ha!

Stay tuned for all of that in these final weeks of the Year of the Snake.

I hope this Not A Gift Guide (Gift Guide) gave a few ideas for someone you love or for yourself this Christmas season. Consider making your own list of Favorite Things this month, Not because we’re focused on more “stuff” but because listing your favorite things can be an exercise in gratitude and in little slices of joy.

And that is what I wish for all of us.

Happy Holidays,