Find Your Fresh Start for 2025
The holidays are finally over. You’ve braved the gauntlet of gift wrap, baked carloads of cookies, and survived politics with grandpa. Feeling a little frazzled? You’re not alone. But January is here. It’s practically begging you to throw on your comfiest socks. Reclaim your calendar and focus on you. Whether you’re craving a stylish reboot, a burst of creativity, or a daring new adventure (finally learning to salsa, anyone?), it’s time to make 2025 your year to shine—and we have the gift guide to help you!
What’s Your Fresh Start Vibe?
Recovering from the holiday whirlwind means different things to different people. Maybe you need to unwind, get creative, or even shake off the stress with a little adventure. Let’s figure out which vibe works best for you this month!
Stylish + Modern Gift Ideas
Maybe the holidays left you feeling frazzled, and you’re craving something that makes you feel elegant again. A stylish treat might be just what you need to lift your mood.
Huggy Hoops: Upgrade from traditional earring closures to huggy hoops for classic styling that you can sleep in. Amazon
Caran d’Ache 849 Black Code Pen: It’s time to trade in that freebie from the town fair for a stylish, reliable upgrade. I love the 849 series from Caran d’Ache. Amazon, Blick Art
Leather Tote Bag: Simple, effortlessly elegent, a leather tote, like this one from Leatherology, looks luxe without being flashy and holds a ton! It also comes in black. Amazon
NEST Candle in Bamboo: I like scented candles that aren’t too sweet and this bamboo-scented 60-hour option from NEST is a perfect refresh after three months of smelling apple cinnamon and pine forests everywhere. Amazon, Blue Mercury
Traveler’s notebook: If you know, you know. Before I started making making my own covers, this leather pick was my go to. Amazon
Adventurous + Rustic
If you’re ready to dive into something new, an adventure is the perfect way to shake off the holiday stress!
Wool Blanket: Pendleton National Park Blankets are made of virgin wool and are still woven right here in our Pacific Northwest mills, just as they were nearly 100 years ago. Dry clean only. Amazon
Field Notes: I love these little notebooks! Pocket-sized, super-convenient, they come three to a pack and offer tons of paper and cover options. Amazon
Hot Hands: Sometimes it’s the simple things that make the difference, like these hand AND toe warmers from Hot Hands. Amazon
Jack London Novels: Two wilderness classics in one volume – Jack London’s Call of the Wild & White Fang Amazon
Lo & Sons OG Travel Bag: This. is. the. bag. I’ve taken this bag to New York, New Delhi, and a bunch of places in between. If you travel for work, I cannot speak it’s virtues highly enough. I have zero affiliation. Just go look. Lo & Sons
Creative
If making stuff makes you feel better, try learning a new skill or brushing up on an old one you haven’t done in a while. Below are some easy access hobbies to try in 2025. Have you tried painting? It’s easier than you think!
Winsor & Newton Cotman Series: A travel watercolor set from a trusted brand in art supplies. This Winsor & Newton set has everything you need to get started with watercolors at a beginner-friendly pricepoint. When you’re ready, try upgrading to their professional series. Amazon, Blick Art
Canson Art Book: This portable watercolor book by Canson has cold-pressed pages for the classic watercolor look with a friendly format. Amazon, Blick Art. Want an upgrade or a wider format? Try Arches 6×10 Watercolor Journal, the gold standard for hot and cold-pressed watercolor and ink papers. Amazon
Dale the Duck Amigurumi Kit: Yes, Woobles are all over your feed right now, but there are tons of amigurumi patterns out there. I like this kit of Dale the Duck much better. And once you learn how easy it is to make amigurumi, you can save some money by buying the materials yourself! Amazon
Olympus E-M10 Mark IV Silver: Looking to upgrade from your iPhone? This Olympus E-M10 Mark IV shoots 4K video with image stabilization. I don’t own this but the New York Times, B&H Phto, and Amateur Photographer all rate it highly for beginners! Amazon
Olivewood Turner: Get motivated to cook more with lovely utensils. Olivewood, with its distinctive styling and affordable price point, is a great alternative to that half-melted flipper in the drawer. Plus, you can mix and match brands and upgrade over time as things wear out. This one is from Tovolo. Amazon
Playful
A playful spirit never goes out of style. Look for items that either feel timeless or scream retro, like a classic camera, or nostalgic games and decor.
Cathedral Game: Fun to play and display. My uncle had this game out on his coffee table as decor when I was growing up. Amazon
Retro Yahtzee: The retro styling on this Yahtzee game scratches my vintage itch without worrying about missing pieces and crumbling paper like most thrift-store finds. Amazon
Ticket to Ride: This game has been produced in over 20 languages and a dozen variations for a reason. It’s easy to learn but interesting enough for gaming pros. Amazon
Poppin Pens: These Poppin pens are a great way to add a little personality to your home office without breaking the bank. Many color options are available. Amazon, Staples
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones: I can vouch for how insanely well the noise cancelling on these headphones work. If you tried this technology years ago and thought it was okay, it’s now amazing. Amazon
Chill
Reclaim your Zen. Start the year feeling rejuvenated and balanced with spa day essentials or the gift of cleaner air.
Molton Brown Rhubarb and Rose Body Wash: If you think roses smell old-fashioned, this body wash will change your mind. For fans of a certain trendy perfume, this combination of Rhubarb and Rose is not a dupe, but it layers beautifully with Delina! Amazon
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-purpose Dry Oil: This French body care staple is perfect for dry winter days and has a pleasant but subtle skin scent. Amazon L‘Occitane and Palmers are great alternatives.
Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist: My skin is always dry in the winter. I don’t know what it is about this facial mist, but it makes me feel so pampered whenever I use it. It has the most gentle mister! One caveat – it has a distinct smell, so if if you prefer unscented items, this may not be for you. Amazon
Looking for a budget alternative? You can make your own facial mist with one part culinary rose water to four parts distilled water. Find the supplies from Middle Eastern grocery stores or Amazon
Dieux Eye Patches: If you’ve had problems with other brands like Pacifica, these reusable eye patches from Dieux are super-thin and gentle without being too sticky, slidey, or pokey. For use with your own eye cream. Amazon
Coway Airmega Air Purifier: This has been the Wirecutter pick for HEPA air purifier for 10 years and it is deserved. I have one in black and it’s great! One caveat – it’s big so measure your space before you buy. Amazon
