Presented by
If ever there was a year that made us all realize the importance of having a comfortable, livable abode, it’s 2020. After all, thanks to a series of lockdowns — which look to be continuing into the new year — we’re spending more time inside our homes than perhaps ever before. And while there’s a ray of hope on the horizon, in the form of functional COVID-19 vaccines, plenty of us are still trying to figure out how to make our houses, townhomes, and apartments better and more enjoyable.
If you happen to have someone on your gift-giving list whose abode could use a bit of sprucing up, you’re in luck. This guide, as tongue-in-cheek as it might seem, is all about transforming a house into a home — be that through kitchen upgrades, new technologies, entertainment-focused endeavors, and even comfortable lounge-worthy apparel. For those ready to explore all the possibilities of the so-called ‘great indoors,’ these gifts are for you.
lululemon At Ease Collection
Though it might not be immediately apparent, comfortable apparel is paramount to relaxing indoors — and it doesn’t get much better than lululemon’s At Ease collection. With its stretchy, naturally-breathable fabric; classic fit; and sturdy blended construction of cotton, polyester, and elastane, this complement of apparel is perfect for lounging, running errands, working from home, and so much more.
Netflix Subscription
Even in light of the increasing competition (we’re looking at you Disney+ and HBO Max), Netflix is still the reigning champion of streaming services. If, for some reason, you’ve got a gift-recipient that isn’t yet signed up, now is the time,
National Geographic Magazine Subscription
While travel and adventure have largely been put on hold, you can still dream of your next journey with the help of a subscription to National Geographic. This legendary magazine contains some of the most beautiful imagery and interesting stories the natural and human worlds have to offer, so don’t pass up the opportunity.
Good + Well Supply Co. Candles
Especially in the colder months, your home might get a bit musty. But you can cure that with a good air purifier and bolster it with some scented candles — like these ones from Good + Well Supply Co. which are meant to elicit the spirit of our National Parks (and other natural spaces).
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Combo
A cast-iron pan is essential for any home cook, but this one comes with a 2nd bonus skillet for higher volume cooking or to keep oil from spitting over the edge. And, as we’ve said a thousand times, you just can’t beat the pedigree of Lodge.
TUSHY Bidet
Whether you’re interested in avoiding future toilet paper shortages or you’re keyed in on the numerous health benefits of a bidet, the TUSHY is undeniably a simple and easy way to upgrade your bathroom. It’s easy to install, effective, and works with any standard toilet.
Craighill Nocturne Catch Valet Tray
Since you’re responsible and not out-and-about exploring the world during a pandemic, you probably don’t need to pocket your EDC gear all the time. But you will still want to keep it safe, organized, and ready-to-grab by stashing it in, say, the solid hardwood Craighill Nocturne Catch Valet Tray.
Gravity Z Weighted Blanket
Great for quelling anxiety, weighted blankets are a trendy home item that actually live up to the hype. And Gravity makes some of the best ones around — like the Z version you see here with dual-sided temperature control, making for a versatile home essential.
Amazon Fire TV Cube
You don’t need to shell out tons of cash for a smart TV in order to enjoy all your favorite HD shows and movies — not at least if you pick up an Amazon Fire TV cube that supports 4K streaming, Alexa voice control, and compatibility with the brand’s suite of other smart devices. It’s even soundbar-compatible.
Kindle Paperwhite eReader
Exploring doesn’t have to be limited to the physical. In fact, for generations and generations, people have been exploring using only their minds and a good book. Well, why relegate yourself to paperbacks when you can stash thousands of titles on the Kindle Paperwhite eReader?
Mahabis Classic Slipper
Whether you want to keep your feet warm, clean, or some combination therein, you can’t do better than a solid pair of slippers. That’s where Mahabis’ Classic Slipper — with its wool exterior and rubber soles — shine. Better still, they’re great for both indoor and outdoor wear.
Zephs Bar Cart
There’s probably never been a better time to stock up your home bar, what with all the restaurants and clubs closed indefinitely. But, if you’re going to stock up on spirits, you might want a handsome place to keep them, like the Zephs Bar Cart.
Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Maker
There is a right way and a wrong way to make coffee, but you’ll never really be able to mess it up too bad if you have an exceptional coffee maker like the Technivorm Moccamaster. It looks like a piece of industrial equipment and it will make sure your coffee is done right — even if you’re not entirely sure how that works.
Bose Home Speaker 500
There was a time when you needed a full suite of speakers to get room-filling sound. Now, you really only need one good, small speaker — like the Bose Home Speaker 500. Along with room-filling 360-degree sound, this device boasts smart voice control, it is compatible with multiple AI assistants, and it can link up with other Bose smart products.
Sennheiser HD 660 S Headphones
In the comfort of your own home, wirelessness in a pair of headphones is significantly less dire — which is good news because wired headphones have better latency (even with the increased quality of wireless tech). These hi-fi headphones from Sennheiser are as beautiful as they are high-quality and anyone would be lucky to have and use them.
Dyson Hot+Cool AM09 Heater Fan
It’s time to ditch that old oscillating bladed fan and opt for something a bit more futuristic and, by proxy, effective — like the Dyson Hot+Cool AM09 Heater Fan. Perfect for both warm and cold weather, this bladeless option looks and functions like something out of your favorite utopian sci-fi universe.
Sony PlayStation 5
If early numbers are to be believed, Sony has yet again won the console wars with the PlayStation 5. That also means, if you can get your hands on one, a PS5 is one of the best big-ticket gifts of 2020. Pair that with an impressive suite of next-gen-compatible games and this is a great indoors gift that’s sure to make your recipient of choice smile from ear to ear.
LEGO Creator Colosseum
Can we all stop pretending that jigsaw puzzles are a fun way to spend our time? Without hesitation, we’re confident in the vast superiority of LEGO — which we’d be willing to double-down on now that they’ve unveiled the 9,036-piece Creator Colosseum. Interestingly, this is also the largest official LEGO set to date — at least regarding the number of pieces.
LG OLED55CXPUA Alexa-Enabled 4K Smart TV
There’s no shame in spending some time in front of the television. There’s even less shame if your TV happens to be this Alexa-enabled 4K smart option from LG. Available from 48″ up to 77″, there’s a perfect size for everyone. And you don’t even need a gaming console or external dongle to stream your favorite shows — just download the apps right to your TV.
Wrensilva Loft Stereo Console
For audiophiles everywhere, there’s just something ultra-special about the sound and ritual of listening to music on vinyl. And while you could buy all the pieces of a stereo, you could also opt for the pre-built route and pick up this gorgeous all-in-one stereo console from Wrensilva. Save yourself the hassle and get something beautiful, both in its appearance and sound reproduction, in the process.
Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
The Eames Lounge Chair is, without a doubt, the most iconic reading chair of all time. And that makes it a must-have for any design-lover with deep pockets (or a must-give for anyone with an extremely generous spirit during the holidays). Of course, the impact of the price is softened by the fact that it also comes with its matching ottoman.
