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As a deputy editorial director on the BuzzFeed Shopping team with almost a decade in the lifestyle and service journalism sphere, I use my shopping editor eye to find and vet products across a variety of categories, including lifestyle, home, beauty, fashion, pets, cleaning, travel, aging, and more.

Hey, if you're not doing anything right now, consider this your sign to pause the scroll and treat yourself. We found a lineup of really cool products — from problem-solvers to things that epitomize whimsy. Ahead, you'll discover cozy winter fashion staples, clever kitchen gadgets, and top-rated beauty treats that reviewers swear by for effortless upgrades.

Promising review: "I wish I could tell you how these taste, but my partner went through the entire box before I got a chance to try them. Apparently, they were amazing because they did not last long in my house. These were used primarily to turn morning coffee into fancy cookies and crème mochas. A few spins of the spoon in hot coffee, and my partner had a great-tasting drink that smelled awesome. Can't really ask for more than that. The last thing you want is to have to pull out a blender to use hot cocoa mix, and with these, all you need is a spoon and a mug. Will buy again." —Chris M.

Get eight packets from Amazon for $6.98.

Promising review: "This dog sweater is adorably cute and quirky! The funny sheep design gets compliments every time we go out, and the black, green, and white colors are even better in person. It’s warm without being bulky, making it perfect for colder days and holiday outings. I will say it does run a bit small, so definitely size up—but the sleeves are actually a huge plus. They help keep my dog feeling more secure and noticeably calmer when wearing it, which was a pleasant surprise. Overall, it’s cozy, unique, and full of personality. Absolutely love this little outfit! 🐑🐾" —Andy

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in sizes XS–XXL and 12 other styles).

Promising review: "LONDONTOWN has become my new go-to brand of nail products. I've tried them all, from salon brands to mass market brands, and these have been the most protective and healing of all that I've tried. This particular shade (Fig) provides a buildable wash of color that goes on from sheer to near-opaque with 1–3 layers. Plus, it is long-lasting — 7–10 days (on mine). My nail strength and condition have improved so much after changing from gel polish to this brand. Their other nail care products are also excellent." —CKC-APRN

Promising review: "10 out of 10. Lays perfectly. I am always aware of this length making me look funny. This is heavy and cut to lay so perfectly! Super soft, no fur falls off. Don’t want to take it off. Like a blanket. FYI, perfect for those of us and hot flashes. Arms out for cooling and in for warmth. The hood is big." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in seven colors).

Get it from Native for $11 (available in three other limited-edition holiday Peanuts scents and dozens of nonseasonal scents).

Promising review: "Smells so good! Melts into skin. Great for touch-ups during the day after using the spray scent." —Angela k.

Get it from Tocca for $50 (available in three other scents).

Promising review: "It has such a pretty smell. It is sweet and floral but not overpowering. The jar is ornate and beautiful." —Bettyloohoo

Get it from Anthropologie for $24+ (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "Great little gadget for the dishwasher! Keeps cutlery completely free of rust stains without any chemicals. Super easy to use, just toss it in the basket. Highly recommend!" —Anastasia Saburova

Promising review: "One of the best camping purchases I have ever made. Does not matter what type of chair I am going to be sitting in; this keeps me dry and warm. I do not go camping without it. When I want my coffee outside in the early morning, I do not have to worry where I am going to sit. I just throw this over the chair, and I have a dry sitting spot." —Bethany Altieri

Promising review: "I bought the double pack for my husband. Very cute. He said they were a gag gift. But he was smiling and happy the entire time playing with them. The quality is pretty good. Nothing felt cheap. I'm very happy with this purchase. Thank you." —Q

Promising review: "I wear tights in the winter months only (I live in Northeastern Pennsylvania). This is a brand I would source out many times over. The tights are soft (not itchy) and thick but not binding, and they keep their shape after several washings. They're pretty, too; the herringbone pattern is quite elegant and can dress up a basic skirt well. I give a 5-star rating!!!" —Barbi

Get them from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two sizes and a variety of colors).

Promising review: "I always look forward to this every year, and this year may be the best yet! Love everything in it!" —Smith175

Promising review: "This Advent calendar is a really fun twist on the traditional countdown to Christmas. Instead of just opening a small treat each day, you get a new puzzle or clue that helps move the mystery story forward. The puzzles are creative and feel similar to an escape room experience, which makes it engaging for families or small groups. It’s a great activity to do together during the holiday season. Each day reveals a new part of the story and another challenge to solve, which keeps things interesting throughout the month. The difficulty level feels appropriate for older kids and adults working together. Overall, this is a unique and entertaining Advent calendar that combines puzzles, storytelling, and holiday fun." —Skywalker

Hidey Socks is a small business based in California.

Promising review: "Really comfortable and they work great to prevent socks from slipping off the heel. I will be buying more." —Tucson 

Get it from Hidey Socks on Etsy for $17+ (available in five sock colors and eight crystal colors).

Promising review: "A total game changer for making any shirt look cropped. I didn’t realize how much I needed this until I tried it! The Croptuck band is super easy to use and instantly gives any shirt or sweater that perfect tucked/'cropped' look without actually cutting or tying anything. It’s adjustable, comfortable, and doesn’t feel tight or bulky under your clothes. The band feels secure and stays in place all day—even when I’m moving around. I love that it comes with a cute little pouch so I can throw it in my purse when I’m on the go. It works on oversize tees, sweaters, and even button-ups. My outfits look so much more put-together now! This is honestly the best little tool. Highly recommend." —Erendira

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four colors).

Promising review: "These were fantastic! Everyone had fun choosing which one to put on their glass." —DiFi

Get a pack from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two styles).

Skimpies was recently on Shark Tank and secured an investment from Barbara.

Get a nine-pack from Skimpies for $12.99.

Promising review: "Just drop this in your humidifier and it keeps the water pretty darn mildew and mold free. Super easy to use, no smell, and safe. I have already repurchased and given a few to other people as well." —Kristine

It comes with double-sided adhesive to secure it to the floor, but if you're concerned about possibly scratching your floor, you can mount it to another sturdy surface (one reviewer mounted it to a paver and another used a tile).

Promising review: "Immediate purchase validation from my kitties. Highly recommend. Especially, if your cats believe cheek scratches are a basic human responsibility. 😹" —Jacquelyn

Get it from Amazon for $25.98 (available in two colors).

Snakify Designs is a small business based in Orlando.

Promising review: "Very cute and looks exactly like the photo." —Yvonne

Get it from Snakify Designs on Etsy for $6.99.

You may have heard that a copper coin in a vase will help flowers last longer; however, pennies made after 1972 are mostly zinc and less than 3% copper, so if this trick didn't work for you in the past, you may want to try these 100% copper charms.

Promising reviews: "The copper hearts really work. The water in my transparent glass vase stays cleaner longer. I still change out the water and trim the stems, but not as often as I used to. The cut flowers stay fresher longer. I like them so much I've purchased more copper hearts for my family who enjoy cut flowers too." —Judith R. Harmann

"Hydroponic house plants are everywhere now, and I find them easier to care for, plus no dirt for cats to fiddle with. However, after a while, the roots tend to get algae buildup. These little stars have really tamed that problem: Every few months, I rinse the roots, gently remove any algae tendrils (very, very few), rinse this star, clean the inside of the glass vase, and refill. Keeps the water clear and the algae down for months. NOTE: I WOULD NOT USE THIS WITH FISH BOWLS." —Just My Opinion....

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in two shapes and multipacks).

Get it from West Elm for $169 (available in four colors).

Promising review: "This was my first elimination puzzle book, and WOW, I had so much fun with it! I honestly wasn't sure what to expect going into it, but I was completely hooked once I started working through the clues. The concept is so different from a traditional mystery because you're not just sitting back and reading the story. You actually have to put on your detective hat, work through the clues, and eliminate suspects until you hopefully find the one name that fits. With 46,600 suspects and 18 clues, it definitely gives you plenty to work through. I loved how engaging it was, and now I totally understand why these elimination puzzle books are becoming a thing. Apparently, I have discovered a new bookish obsession! Definitely 5 stars, and I’ll be looking for more like this." —Nevermore Lane

Promising review: "This claw clip beats them all! The shape is perfect, and it makes sure the claws don't dig into your head. The squishy but still firm design is also absolutely genius. I have already accidentally stepped on mine, and it didn't break! Finally, I can stop worrying about it breaking in my bag. I also have very long hair, so I was worried it might not hold it all; however, it really does stay in all day!! I am absolutely blown away by these, and I will never be able to buy another brand again. Thank you to the creator!!!" —Linn Erle Kløfta

Get it from Amazon for $24.95+ (available in 13 colors; some colors available with charms).

Get it from Amazon and Brass Monkey for $9.

Promising review: "We’ve bought a ridiculous number of squishies over the last couple of years, including NeeDoh, dumplings, sugar squishies, and a bunch of others. These are still some of my favorites, mostly because they actually hold up. The outside is noticeably thicker than a lot of the super soft squishies. We did eventually have one pop, but it lasted a long time before that happened and was surprisingly easy to fix. The others haven’t shown any signs of tearing or leaking. That’s been a completely different experience from some of our NeeDoh-style squishies that eventually develop a weak spot and are basically done once they split. The actual squish is closer to a sugar squishy. It has that slow-flow, slow-rising feel rather than immediately bouncing back into shape. They’re also really cute, inexpensive, and the outside wipes clean easily, which matters more than you'd think once kids have been carrying these things everywhere. If durability is the deciding factor, that’s what separates these for me. There are plenty of squishies that feel great when they're brand new. Finding ones that still look and feel good after kids have actually played with them is a different story." —Mike O

Get it from Amazon for $8.63 (available in three other Sanrio-themed styles).

The starter set comes with the board and the Lax Funkers characters, who have a chili funk sound. You can expand the collection of sounds and styles with other characters — there are styles like neo funk, classical music, electro rock, and more.

Promising review: "We had the family over for Thanksgiving, and the Loops Lab was a big hit. The kids were playing as usual, then my son pulled out the loops stage and connected it to his iPad, then casted it to our TV, which has great sound. He showed his cousins how it worked, and they all started putting the characters on the stage. He showed them that by tapping the characters one, two, or three times, they could get a different sound, and they had a blast experimenting with the different sounds and rhythms, finding a beat they liked. They were all dancing to the music they created. The quality is great, the characters are fun, and kids had fun while learning how different instruments sound and work together. We also purchased the 8-Bit band, and they are so fun to mix with the Lax Funkers band that comes with the set. Looking for a holiday gift for the whole family? this is guaranteed to be their favorite gift!" —Ac

Promising review: "If you're starting your wood-carving journey, a great kit can make all the difference! The BeaverCraft kit includes a sharp knife that cuts smoothly. The instructions are clear, making it easy to follow along. Plus, it comes with a strop to keep your knife sharp and finishing supplies for that perfect touch. Everything is packaged neatly, so you can find what you need quickly. It's a joy to carve and create beautiful pieces of art. With such a nice kit, you’ll have fun and feel proud of your new skills! Happy carving!" —Gary and Aimee

Get them from Sam Edelman for $120 (available in women's sizes 5–12 and three colors).

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.