Reusable Mugs and Drinkware

There’s a mug graveyard at my office. Some lime green ceramic thing has been haunting the kitchen since before the pandemic, and somehow it’s become “the” mug. Reusable mugs just multiply; I think they breed when nobody’s looking. Ember mugs—those weird “smart” ones that claim to keep coffee at the perfect temp. Bluetooth for a mug? I don’t know if I trust it, but people swear by them. Contigo, Zojirushi, whatever—if it doesn’t spill and you can open it one-handed, I’m interested. After two years of snapping cheap lids, I’ve become a one-hand opening evangelist. Not a hill I expected to die on.

Sustainability people are intense. Suddenly, reusable drinkware is a personality trait, not just a thing you own. Ceramic travel mugs, bamboo handles, double-walled glass—every gifting list and Instagram ad is pushing some new “eco” upgrade. I had a barista tell me insulation is almost as important as tipping. Is that true? Maybe. I do know nobody wants cold coffee in the morning.

And the weirdest thing? People get attached to mugs that just…fit. Small handle, big handle, you don’t know until you’re stuck with it. Maybe that’s why mugs work as gifts. Or maybe it’s just that you can never have too many, except when you’re moving and realize you own 14.

Tech Gifts That Impress

Typing with one hand, coffee in the other, and somehow every year the “next big thing” in gadgets ends up in my junk drawer. I’ve given up trying to predict what’ll actually impress people. Last year, I thought a smart mug would be clever—nope, should’ve just gone with a Bluetooth speaker. Nobody wants to read a manual. If it works right out of the box, it’s a win.

Bluetooth Speakers

You ever notice how everyone wants a Bluetooth speaker but nobody wants the same one? JBL Flip, UE BOOM—I swear, these things are everywhere for a reason. They bounce around in backpacks, survive rain, and get way louder than my neighbors appreciate. Rolling Stone says they’re top gifts, and maybe for once, I agree. People use them for podcasts in the shower or blasting music in the kitchen. Two can pair together for double the chaos.

Battery life is the only spec anyone cares about—nobody wants to charge a speaker every night. Waterproofing is real, too; someone dropped my Flip 5 in a lake and it just…kept going. I don’t care about voice assistants, but apparently some people do. If you have to install an app before you can play music, I’m out. Rugged finish, big buttons, no neon lights, please. I mean, unless you’re into that.

Headphones and AirPods Pro

Noise. It’s everywhere. I’m not sure why, but I can’t exist without headphones now. Picking the “right” ones is like picking a soulmate—everyone has opinions, none of them help. I ignore most advice and just look for fit, battery, and how fast they pair. If it’s complicated, it’s dead to me. AirPods Pro? I was skeptical, but spatial audio and noise cancellation are actually useful. Cosmo even lists them, and I don’t usually trust magazine lists, but here we are.

Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QC—over-ears are great if you don’t mind looking like a DJ at the grocery store. People swap ear tips forever and still complain. For working out, you need sweat resistance and a case that isn’t massive. Audiophile debates? No thanks, I just want to switch between my phone and laptop without a meltdown. Also, how did headphone batteries get better than my phone’s? Never figured that out.

Fun and Unique Gift Ideas

What even counts as a “fun” gift now? Everyone wants something small, not another pen, not socks (unless they’re those weird compression ones runners love). Card games—don’t roll your eyes—are not just for kids. I once got roped into explaining Uno rules to a table of adults who all swore they knew them. They didn’t.

Stocking Stuffers Everyone Loves

Stocking stuffers are a trap. You either overthink it or just panic and buy lip balm. Mini waffle makers? Those went viral and suddenly everyone had one. 15,000 Amazon reviews and nobody mentioned gender. Tile trackers—my friend swears by them after losing her keys at the dog groomer. Silicone food bags sound boring, but apparently they last through years of iced coffee and leftovers. I bought a portable charger for a runner (meant to get a cooling towel, whoops) and she said it saved her playlist during a rainstorm. Enamel pins? Everyone likes pins. At least, nobody regifts them, which is more than I can say for monogrammed towels. Cosmo has 49 gender-neutral ideas if you want to see socks next to smart notebooks.

Card Games for All Ages

Jackbox, Sushi Go!, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza—yes, that’s real. No, I can’t explain it. Math teacher told me Taco Cat is his secret weapon with fifth graders. Exploding Kittens? Broke Kickstarter, broke my family’s patience. You don’t need to know who’s good at games; just throw one in and let chaos happen. Rolling Stone has a list and half are games, which says a lot.

Play On Words shows up at my local bookshop every year, and even Scrabble haters end up arguing about fake words. I put Uno in a care package once and my friend started a nightly game group. The American Tabletop Awards called Happy Salmon “unreasonably fun”—it’s just a dozen cards and a lot of yelling.