20 Things We’re Buying Ourselves This Holiday Season

Whether you’re a parent or not, it can be easy to neglect yourself during the holidays. I asked Parents staff and other parents I know what they’re buying for themselves this season, and some of the answers will surprise you (did you know a remote control Kindle page-turner is a real thing?). While we may buy these items for ourselves first, they also make great gifts for the loved ones in your life. Shop home goods, Lululemon apparel, self-care items, and more.

Mainstays Alessandra Matte Black 12-Piece Stoneware Dinnerware Set 

After 16 years of marriage, my professional woodworker husband is redoing our kitchen, which means I’m getting a new kitchen for the holidays. And, of course, because I’ll have a brand-new kitchen for the first time in my life, I’m shopping kitchen deals so our dinnerware will match our remodel. 

I came across this matte black stoneware set, and I’m impressed with the reviews—and the price. The set is 100% glazed stoneware, fully dishwasher-safe, and chip-resistant. I’m also adding these separate matching pasta bowls because they make me feel fancy (and my teens agree that they are “so aesthetic”). 

Lululemon Scuba Oversized Funnel-Neck Half Zip Long 

The Lululemon Scuba oversized sweater looks cozy and functional with its baggy fit, spacious pocket, and phone sleeve. It comes in six colors, including solid or accenting hardware options. 

“I’m a little tired of the cropped everything trend, especially when it comes to sweaters and sweatshirts,” admits commerce director Ashleigh Morley. “This oversized sweatshirt is exactly what I’ve been looking for: long enough that I won’t feel exposed, voluminous enough that I feel nice and cocooned, tall funnel collar for extra warmth, and, finally, the kangaroo pocket, which requires no explanation.”

EspressoWorks All-In-One Espresso Machine With Milk Frother 

My new kitchen will have a special coffee corner, but first I need a new espresso machine. The EspressoWorks espresso machine serves delicious, homebrewed lattes and cappuccinos. I also love that it includes a bean grinder, a milk frothing cup, and two espresso cups to get a beginner espresso machine user like myself started. 

Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil

As much as I love a steaming hot shower, I can admit that it’s not ideal during the dry winter months. One of our Parents editors recommends the Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil, which gently cleanses your skin while providing hydration, even during those nice hot showers. 

“This shower oil saves my skin from drying out during the winter months,” says Parents editor Olivia Campbell. You can choose from multiple bottle sizes that start at just $10.

Do You Really Know Your Family? Card Game

Do You Really Know Your Family? is a popular card game with us and with other Amazon shoppers (thousands bought it in just the past month!). “I received this game as a sample, but it’s something I’d buy as a gift for other people now that I know how fun it is,” says Senior Commerce Editor Hildara Araya-Gonzalez. 

The game has two types of cards: questions and challenges. When it’s your turn, you look at your question or challenge and think of an answer. It’s up to your family members to guess what your answer is. “I love board games, but I have teenagers and a husband with a short attention span, so getting them to sit down and play is difficult,” says Hildara. “This one is a fun, quick game that we all enjoyed.”

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Ear Buds

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 take everything about earbuds up a level—this option has active noise cancellation to remove background noise, transparency mode to hear more sounds, and adaptive audio that will automatically lower your listening audio when you’re talking with someone. This option also includes four different silicone ear tips in sizes XS, S, M, or L to get the perfect fit and features a water-resistant charging case. 

“I switched from Android to Apple just a couple of months ago, and now that I have my Apple Watch, all I need are some AirPods,” says Katrina Cossey, Parents commerce news and deals editor. “My sister made me try hers, and I was shocked at how well they blocked the outside sound. Time to officially get my own pair!” 

Datafy Remote Control Page Turner for Kindle Paperwhite

If you ask Leah Outten, an author, birthmother, and mom of four, the only holiday gift moms need is a Kindle Paperwhite remote control that lets you “turn” the pages of your Kindle without lifting a finger. “I’m a huge reader, so I have plans to buy this Kindle accessory for my relaxing, cozy time to turn the page for me,” Outten explains.

Serta Leena Shaggy Faux Fur Electric Heated Throw Blanket 

We live in Michigan, so winters can be rough. As I get older, I find the cold harder to deal with, so I’m happy to announce that I fully plan on embracing my cozy electric blanket era. I love that this Serta faux fur blanket is pretty enough to drape over the couch or bed without needing to hide it away. 

The heated blanket has many ideal features, including a three-hour auto shutoff for safety. The only downfall I see? My teen daughters are almost guaranteed to steal this blanket from me. 

Hold Everything Coffee & Tea Stackable Canisters

Every good coffee corner needs a canister, and because I grind my own coffee beans, I’m on the hunt for an option that includes a measuring spoon. This set includes one for each canister and makes scooping the freshly ground beans into the machine more straightforward, ensuring I don’t over- or under-brew my coffee (a tragedy indeed). 

Harney & Sons Holiday Tea

Harney & Sons Holiday Tea is an Amazon’s Choice product in teas (so you know it’s good). Its blend of citrus, almond, clove, and cinnamon spices is ideal for brewing during the holidays. Just picture curling up on the couch in front of a roaring fire with a hot cup of spiced tea—and maybe your new Kindle remote to enjoy a holiday book.

“This spiced black tea is one of the best I’ve tried (and I’ve tried a lot),” notes editor Olivia Campbell. “It’s just the thing for warming up in cold weather.”

Cosori Electric Kettle

My kids’ part of the coffee corner is a hot chocolate station, so we’re adding this electric tea kettle to make DIYing hot cocoa easy. Once in a while, I swap my morning cup of coffee for some chai tea, so it will be nice to have a tea kettle on hand for those rare occasions. 

And if you really want a hot cocoa treat, there’s also the Copper Velvetiser—it’s like a fancy Keurig for luxury hot chocolate and comes with hot cocoa satchels you add right to the frother. 

Oiselle Lux Layer Long Sleeve

Aimee Burch, Parents newsletter editor, loves anything Oiselle does with their Lux fabric. “It’s great for any kind of running, from running errands to running after kids to running actual races, but cozy enough for lounging,” she explains. Also, this season, they have it in a gorgeous purple shade, my favorite color!” 

As a professional errand runner (and mom of five), I like to save where possible, so I’m adding this equally cozy and more budget-friendly option from Amazon to my holiday wish list. 

Lyra Marble Soap Dispenser

Hear me out—one of my adult dreams is to have beautiful soap dispensers throughout my house. Right now, I’ve got my eye on this marble soap dispenser, which is just downright beautiful. You can customize it with three pump colors: brass, stainless steel, or gold. 

Coop Home Goods Original Cut-Out Memory Foam Pillows

Getting excited about new memory foam pillows is such an adult thing (but so worth it). Parents associate editor Elisabeth Sherman shares that she’s splurging on these memory foam pillows, which are specially designed for side sleepers. The unique shape keeps the neck and shoulders in place, and you can add or remove fill for customized comfort and support. 

“We are on an ongoing quest to find pillows that are actually comfortable for side sleepers,” Sherman notes. “Both of us are lifelong insomniacs and need all the help we can get with restful sleep. I’m hoping these will finally be the solution we’re looking for.”

Plentio Stone Drying Mat

With a family of seven, I usually have some kind of clean dish, pot, or pan drying on the counter. My current solution is to throw down a towel, but I’m hoping for a more aesthetically pleasing option, like this stone drying mat. It’s made with 100% natural diatomaceous earth (a soft, sedimentary rock) that absorbs water from the dishes and dries quickly. 

KitchenAid Fresh Prep Slicer and Shredder Attachment

Kelly A. Burch, a writer and mom of two from New Hampshire, is treating herself to this slicer and shredder attachment for her KitchenAid mixer. The attachment has three different blades— a 3 mm slicing blade, a 4 mm medium shredding blade, and a 6 mm coarse shredding blade—to slice or shred a variety of fruits or vegetables.

“I normally hate the idea of mom getting household stuff for the holidays, but I’m so excited to buy this,” Burch admits. “We put shredded vegetables in everything, but shredding always makes such a mess.” All blades are dishwasher-safe and come with a storage case. 

King White 680 Thread Count Kirkland Sheet Set 6 Piece Deep Pockets

You may know Costco for its jumbo packs of toilet paper and snacks, but Lauren Finney Harden, an Atlanta mom of a 4-year-old and a 3-month-old, says parents shouldn’t sit on the warehouse’s best secret: Kirkland bed sheets. 

“Kirkland sheets are the hill I will die on. Better than any other brand,” gushes Harden. The best part? You can buy Kirkland bed sheets directly from Amazon and soak in the 680-thread count.

Ninja DZ201 Foodi DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer

My family of seven uses the air fryer we received as a Christmas gift last year all the time. Some of our favorite foods to cook in it include breakfast meats (it makes the best bacon!), salmon, chicken, sweet potato and regular fries, chicken tenders, and even homemade mini pizzas. We love our air fryer so much that I’m dreaming about upgrading to this dual-basket option because of its ability to cook multiple foods simultaneously. 

Omnilux Contour Face Red Light Therapy Mask

Parents associate editor Annabelle Canela is dreaming of splurging on the Omnilux red light therapy mask, and I have to say she has the right idea. Red light therapy has been shown to help with acne and aging and may even boost your mood.

If the Omnilux price exceeds your budget, I found this more affordable red light therapy mask on Amazon that’s currently 56% off when you use the on-site coupon. 

Bombas Women’s Merino Wool Blend Quarter Sock 4-Pack

Remember when you were a kid and felt disappointed to find socks as one of your Christmas gifts? As adults, those days are over, especially if you open a pair of merino wool Bombas socks. They’re plush and cozy and provide temperature regulation to keep your feet warm all winter. 

“This wool blend from Bombas is comfortable no matter the season, and the quarter height strikes that perfect not-too-tall and not-too-short balance,” says commerce director Ashleigh Morley, who plans to treat herself to a cozy pair this holiday season. “When it comes to creature comforts, I will never underestimate the power of a really good pair of quality socks.”

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