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It feels weird to acknowledge that, nearly 30 years since I started writing about travel professionally, Mary and I are traveling less than we ever have before.
It’s partly because of the economy, partly because airlines stuff passengers onto planes like sardines, partly because of the crazy lines at customs & immigration, and partly because the current state of global affairs sucks some joy out of the experience.
Traveling less means we’re spending more time at home… or homes, I should say, since we divide our time between a townhome in the suburbs and our houseboat on a lake 20 minutes away.
And because we’re both in our 50s now, traveling less also means we’re spending more time focusing on our health, stepping up our exercise regimens, trying to eat healthier, and generally taking better care of our bodies.
So this year we wanted to focus on some of the Best Holiday Gifts for Home & Health, including 45+ great gift ideas ranging from home decor and appliances to food gifts, coffee and tea gifts, bath and beauty gifts, and more!
I am utterly unashamed of my Clark Griswold-like love of Christmas. If I didn’t have Mary in my life, I’d year most likely leave my decor up all year long, just for the sheer joy it brings me.
We do try to keep our household holiday decor tasteful, and never cluttered. So I try to limit myself to no more than 2-3 additions to our Christmas collection every year (while also Marie Kondo-ing older, outdated pieces).
Our favorite new Christmas decor of 2025 comes from Coral & Tusk designer Stephanie Housley, who draws every whimsical piece by hand before it’s transferred to cloth. Her Christmas Cheer Table Runner is delightfully festive, with adorable woodland creatures gathering in a conifer forest to celebrate the season.
My second favorite new piece comes from Vermont-based designer Ann Nygard of Hauskaa, whose Modern Christmas Village draws on Norwegian minimalist influences. Made from sustainably harvested wood and copper, it’s a sleek set that can be augmented with wooden fir trees, candles, and more!
Sometimes the best Christmas gifts we can give our friends and family are those little household indulgences the receiver might never consider splurging for themselves.
For instance, I’ve been using the same cheap knife set I bought as a newly divorced dad back in 2004 for 21 years now. Several of the knives were in bad shape, but it’s just not something I wanted to spend money on.
Needless to say, the Cutluxe 15-piece Knife Set was a game-changer, with all the essential high-carbon German stainless steel knives a home chef could possibly need. It also comes with detachable Kitchen Shears and a Honing Rod, all stored in a gorgeously crafted walnut wood block.
The HORL3 Rolling Knife Sharpener helps keep your knives razor sharp at home or on the go. The set includes a grip pad with powerful magnets to hold knives firmly at an angle while an abrasive diamond sharpening disk is rolled along the blade, then the ceramic disk is used for honing. It’s a handy, extremely portable little tool.
As someone who hasn’t owned a blender in 20+ years, the Tribest Backspin Contra-Rotating Impact Blender feels decidedly futuristic, with an array of features I’d never considered a blender could need.
Their inventive contra-rotating system spins the container in the opposite direction of the blades, creating head-on impact with the ingredients that prevents the need to scrape the sides. It also reduces the need to chop ingredients beforehand, making delicious smoothies, nut butters and more with minimal prep time.
The Kalorik Vivid Touch Toaster is similarly forward-thinking, with a 4.5-inch, high-res touchscreen and 120+ customizable cooking presets for bread, bagels, waffles, and more.
We love the extra-wide and deep slots, adjustable browning control with 6 different toasting shades, slick stainless steel design, and 1000 watts of cooking power, as well as the removable crumb tray for easy cleaning.
As a 6’2″, broad-shouldered man with Scottish blood on 3 different sides of my family, I’ve always generated enough body heat that Mary refers to me as a “human volcano.” So keeping my body cool is a constant concern.
The Vornado 753 OSC Whole Room Air Circulator is my new best friend, offering 3-speed vortex circulation, oscillation, forward-facing display, a remote and an 8-hour timer. We also love the option to add aromatherapy with 5 scent-ready pads, as well as their 5-year satisfaction guarantee.
Mary is also a big fan (see what I did there?) of the EyeVac Pro, a handy 1,400-watt touchless vacuum designed to remove 100% of dust, hair, and other debris instantly.
Originally designed for commercial use by hair salons and pet groomers, the handy device uses infrared sensors to activate automatically, with 2 filters to suck up the gunk and eliminate the need for dustpans.
Though we embrace some aspects of homesteading (sustainable gardening, composting, harvesting rainwater, etc.) and try to live as self-sufficiently as possible, we’ve never been what you’d call “preppers.”
It wasn’t until we covered the devastation Hurricane Helene wrought upon the Blue Ridge Mountains in September 2024 that we truly realized the importance of being ready for anything Mother Nature might inflict.
The Ready For Anything Emergency Kit from Redfora is a great solution. Available in sizes for 1 to 4 people, for 3 to 7 days, in a backpack or roller bag, this is the ultimate disaster survival kit.
Contents are broken down into Food+Water (food bars, water pouches, water filtration), Personal Items (First Aid kit, masks), Shelter+Hygeine (tube tent, sleeping bag, poncho, toiletries), and Tools+Comms (multi-tool, solar power bank, NOAA radio/charger, etc.). And a potion of all proceeds are donated to disaster relief funds!
Food is one of our favorite gifts to give and receive, because it’s something everyone needs and most people love. With the cost of beef up nearly 50% since 2020, gift boxes of steaks are a luxurious way to a foodie’s heart.
Available in 12, 16, and 20 product sizes, the Grill Master Box from Force of Nature offers a mix of Grass Fed Beef NY Strip, Grass Fed Beef Ribeye, Grass Fed Bison Ribeye, and Pasture-Raised Venison Tomahawk Steaks.
If you’ve never had Bison or Venison, both grill just like beef. The flavors of the meat are more intense, but without the “gamey” taste that throws some people off. We found them to be exquisite with just some oil, salt, and pepper.
Brown Ranch Meats is owned by Houston Texans offensive tackle Trent Brown, who’s partnered with Ratcliff Premium Meats to curate his Top Picks Bundle, a top-notch gift set with 8+ pounds of high quality beef.
It includes 1 Tri-Tip Roast, 1 Flank Steak, 2 Bone-In Ribeye Steaks, and 2 Packs of Burger Patties (6 burgers total). All their beef is pasture-raised, with no added hormones, and the result offers dense, bold flavors that really pop after searing on the grill.
The Long Island-based Tate’s Bake Shop was founded by Kathleen King in 1980. Now, 45 years later, this beloved bakery has been hailed by The NY Times as “worth putting miles on the odometer.”
Their impressive Best of Southhampton Basket comes in two sizes, small and large, both of which offer a delectable array of Tate’s very best goodies.
We got the Large, which includes 2 Bags of Chocolate Chip Cookies, 2 Bags of Snickerdoodle Cookies, 1 Bag of Coconut Macaroons, 1 Bag of Shortbread Cookies, 3 Brownies, 3 Blondies, 3 Crumb Cakes, 1 Lemon Tea Loaf, 1 Chocolate Tea Loaf, 1 Chocolate Chip Pie, and 1 Sour Cream Coffee Cake, all in a stylish galvanized tin tray.
All of it tastes fresh, moist, and decidedly decadent, with ample sizes to share with your friends and family.
Damn Man Snacks is less focused on family and more focused on the fellas, offering up an extensive array of salty snacks primarily designed for unabashed protein lovers.
Their 24 Days Of Gourmet Nuts & Snacks Collection is a Limited Edition Advent Calendar whose inventive (and festive!) graphic design is surpassed only by the tastiness of the tidbits within.
Every day in December, you (or your giftee) can open a compartment to find a flavor explosion in a tiny pouch. Our favorites included the Wasabi Taproom Mix, Truffle Umami Pretzel Pops, Spicy Szechuan Peanuts, Smoky Gouda Mix, and Cheddar Jalapeño Clusters. But the fun of it is in trying new, bold flavors every day!
We also love their Gourmet Manly Nut Gift Box for Men, which offers 6 flavors inspired by American bar snacks and global street food, such as Mexican Cocoa Peanuts, Coconut Curry Peanuts, Thai Chili Peanuts, Honey Sea Salt Almonds, and a Tap Room Nut Mix.
Whether we’re traveling to exotic location around the world or just exploring the parks in the area where we live, one thing remains constant: We always love a good picnic in places with scenic views.
Whether it’s the Fjords of Norway, the lakes of Chilean Patagonia, or driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, many of our favorite travel memories involve spreading out a blanket, eating, and soaking in the beauty of nature.
We’re also HUGE charcuterie lovers, and the Latitude Charcuterie Board makes it easy to enjoy a perfectly chilled spread even own the road. Measuring 15″ x 11.5″, this beautiful South American teak board comes with a reusable ice brick insert that can keep your food cold for hours.
For an extra $29, you can also get a collapsible Thermal Carrying Bag that can help keep your board chilled to the mid-40ºF range, making it perfect for scenic road trips!
Wild-caught sustainable seafood has been all the rage in recent years (as people learn more about the problems associated with fish farming), and the Wild Alaska Co. is one of the brands at the forefront of that movement.
It was founded by 3rd generation fisherman Arron Kallenberg, who has been fishing (and fighting to protect) Alaska’s Bristol Bay since he was a boy. He believes in protecting wild fish populations and promoting real food.
Their Wild Combo Gift Box is an amazing gift for anyone who appreciates fresh, wild-caught seafood. It includes 12 portions of 5 different species, including Cod, Halibut, two types of Salmon, and Wild Alaska Pollock.
All of them are sustainably sourced in Alaska and densely packed with both nutrition and flavor, with no antibiotics, GMOs, or other additives. We’ve enjoyed every bite, and you truly can taste the difference!
Is there someone on your holiday gift list who loves trying unusual foods from all around the world?
The Cuban-American-owned Tropical Fruit Box is a fantastic way to explore flavors you’ve never tasted before, with different options for curated variety boxes or “Create Your Own” boxes of fruits from around the world.
This year we sampled their Taste of the Tropics Fruit Box, whose contents may vary by season. Ours included a humongous Tropical Avocado, Golden Papaya, Passion Fruit, Rambutan, several different types of Dragon Fruit, and Longan (which tastes similar to Lychee).
The box also included the increasingly popular pink Rosé Pineapple, a super-sweet fruit grown in Costa Rica. It’s genetically modified by adding lycopene (which gives tomatoes their ruby-red color), and took 12+ years to develop.
As someone who has a terrible sweet tooth, who has also been dealing with Type 2 diabetes for over a decade now, I’m always on the lookout for low-sugar treats that won’t send my A1C soaring.
So I was delighted to discover Harken Sweets and Mightylicious cookies, two new-to-us companies that make delicious desserts with healthier ingredients than most of their competitors.
Harken makes no-sugar-added, naturally sweetened (with Dates!) candy bars that offer a lower-calorie twist on favorites like Snickers (“The Nutty Ones”), Milky Way (“The Gooey Ones”), and Mounds (“The Little Coconutty Ones”). They’re available in full size bars (14g prebiotic fiber, 150 calories) and snack size “Lil’ Ones.”
Mightylicious offers gluten free, non-GMO cookies made with clean ingredients like cage-free eggs and maple syrup. Our favorite flavors include Brown Butter, Oatmeal Coconut, and Salted Peanut Butter (all of of which are in their Best Sellers Bundle), as well as the vegan-friendly Double Dutch chocolate cookies.
There are myriad ways to make coffee these days, from cold brew and Chemex to K-cups and more. Everyone coffee lover has their personal favorite, but the pour-over approach is currently the favorite among java experts.
The Coulee Coffee SWIRL System is an easy-to-use option that makes crafting the perfect cup both simple and sustainable, using compostable packaging and filters, with no plastic or pods.
All you have to do is pop an EcoPour filter into the arm, push the “Brew” button, wait for it to heat the water to an optimal temp of 205ºF, then watch as it rotates (a.k.a. swirls) in a precise pattern to extract every delicious drop of flavor.
Finding a great cup of coffee when we travel can definitely be a challenge, especially in countries where the coffee culture isn’t as popular as it is here in the United States.
But even in the USA, whether you’re camping in the wilderness or traveling in remote places (such as National Parks and National Forests), there’s not always a Starbucks nearby.
The OutIn Mino Christmas Gift Set makes it easier to enjoy the perfect cup of coffee anywhere, anytime. It includes the OutIn Mino portable coffee maker, a ground coffee filter basket & screen, a foldable spoon/tamper & dosing funnel, basket removal tool, and silicone coffee mat, all in a lightweight, packable carrying bag (total weight 24.16 oz).
Their Outin Fino, which is sold separately, is a great little (7.48″x 2.87″) portable electric coffee grinder, with 28 grind settings, auto stop, and a quick‑charge (via USB-C) battery that can deliver 18 shots of espresso before needing a charge.
We love the taste of coffeehouse lattes, but we also refuse to pay exorbitant coffee house prices. Instead, we make our own delicious concoctions at home by blending different types of roasts.
Founded by Craig Leslie and based in Southern California, The Bean Coffee Company specializes in sustainably sourced, certified organic coffee blends roasted in small batches at the peak of flavor.
They offer an awesome array of coffees, from dark roasts (we love Christmas Roast & Suzi’s Power Bean) to medium flavored roasts such as Egg Nog, Peppermint Mocha & Hawaiian Hazelnut. We mix dark/medium roasts at 2/3 ratio for richer taste!
Founded in 2016 by retired firefighter/paramedic Luke Schneider, Fire Dept Coffee is a veteran-owned business that gives back via its charitable foundation, which supports firefighters who have become sick or injured while on the job.
They offer a number of Gift Bundles (including a Build Your Own 4-Pack) that include fantastic flavors like Cinnamon French Toast, Marshmallow Brownie, Granny’s Butterscotch, and numerous Spirit-Infused flavors.
AeroPress is one of the OGs in the world of portable coffee makers, offering the smooth, rich, bold flavors of a classic French French in a fraction of the time.
The AeroPress Go is their signature portable, packable single-serve coffee maker designers for campers and other travelers, and their AeroPress GoPlus Complete Travel Coffee System makes a great holiday gift for the java lover in your life.
Measuring 4.2″ x 7.3″ and weighing under 20 oz, the 3-in-1 system includes a coffee maker (made of shatterproof Tritan); a 16 oz double-wall, vacuum-insulated stainless steel tumbler with magnetic lid; and a built-in filter holder.
It uses air pressure and micro-filtration to speed up extraction with less bitterness than other brewing methods, making 10 oz of coffee in about 30 seconds. It’s also super easy to clean and pack away when you’re done!
Their VSSL Rift Tumbler is a leakproof, insulated, 16 oz travel mug that’s perfect for keeping drinks hot (or cold) on the go, with the same durable stainless steel construction and an ergonomic grip.
In addition to making my own coffee blends, in the last few years I’ve really gotten into making my own herbal tea blends, partly in an effort to reduce my overall caffeine consumption.
The Canada-based Tea Squared offers their own delightful blends of non-GMO, gluten-free, ethically sourced, and sustainable teas, with an outstanding array of Signature Gift Packages that come in stylish gift boxes.
We both loved their Chai Lover Gift Box (which includes Mumbai Gold Chai, Bollywood Chai, and Red Rooibos Chai) and Sleep & Relax Gift Box (with soothing Sleepyhead, Herbal Relaxer, and Lavender Rooibos tea blends).
But their Winter Warmers Gift Box is my personal favorite, offering tasty Vanilla Chai, Dreamy Marzipan, and Toasted Almond Brittle blends that are absolutely perfect for warming your cockles against the chilly weather of the Holiday season.
Staying in shape has been a huge priority for Mary & I as we age. We started swimming laps regularly 10+ years ago, but in recent years we’ve added more walking, weights, and other exercise.
Arthritis in my knees has limited my cycling ability, but the electric motor assistance afforded by eBikes makes my childhood love possible again. Lectric is a brand focused on making eBikes more affordable and accessible to all.
Their compact XP4 750 Pine Green eBike is a game-changer for me, with a torque sensor that makes the pedal assist feature smoother, an upgraded 750W motor and battery that offer 50% more power and 68% more range, and cool features such as a fast charger, 850 lux headlight, detachable rear rack expander, bike lock, and more.
It’s an amazing bike (max speed 28mph) for the price, and for an extra $100 you can add a Cargo Package that includes steel-encased front and rear baskets for hauling groceries and other stuff.
Most of the worst injuries I suffered in my youth came while riding 2-wheeled vehicles, from a broken finger while cycle to 2nd degree burns from falling off a mini bike. So I take bike safety VERY seriously!
Because eBikes can go at much faster speeds than regular bikes, Class 3 eVehicles like the Lectric XP4 750 require a helmet specifically designed to withstand the greater impact of higher speeds.
XNITO eBike Helmets offer a lightweight, stylish solution, with 6 cool designs that pass NTA 8776 certification, which is rated to protect riders at speeds up to 28 mph.
In addition to superior protection, their helmets feature waterproof front & rear rechargeable lights (3 flashing modes, up to 10 hrs battery), 10 vents for maximum airflow, and weigh less than a pound to reduce neck fatigue.
I’ve suffered the debilitating effects of insomnia since I was a teenager, and those issues are even worse when we’re traveling (especially when trying to sleep on planes, or beds without firm back support).
Even with my prescription meds, minor things like ambient noise (rivers running, waves crashing) or light (see: midnight sun in the Arctic and Antarctica) can really throw off my sleep cycle.
The Sleep Defense Bundle from Manta Sleep is tailor made for people like me. It includes their Manta PRO Sleep Mask, which offers 100% blackout of light, C-shaped eye cups (perfect for side-sleepers like me), excellent breathability, and no pressure on the eyes or lashes.
The bundle also includes Manta’s White Noise Machine, which blocks out ambient noise using 15 sounds engineered for sleep optimization, and a tactile bedside control pad that allows for easy remote adjustments in the dark.
Although it may not be as critical an issue as insomnia, the desire to avoid the visible ravages of time on our skin is something many of us struggle with.
Mary & I watch our diets, take vitamin supplements, avoid getting too much sun, and moisturize our skin like it’s a religion. But still those pesky wrinkles and age spots eventually rear their ugly heads.
LED Esthetics’ dermatologist-approved Glotech Minis are LED Therapy Anti-Aging Patches that offer an additional line of defense against fine lines, stubborn dark spots, or tired, uneven texture in just 9 minutes a day.
Using a clinical-grade combo of red, yellow, and near-infrared light, these pocket-sized patches brighten, tighten, and tone your skin, boosting collagen, fading discoloration, and restoring its healthy bounce.
I tend to get a lot of compliments about how young and relatively wrinkle-free my face looks for a guy my age (57) who spends a lot of time outdoors, usually followed by questions about my skin care regimen.
The simple answer is that, unlike most men my age, I actually have one! It typically involves daily exfoliation, a gentle cleanser, and moisturizer applied right before bed and first thing in the morning.
ManLabs’ Titan Sports Anti-Aging Mens Skin Care Kit is a great starter set for fellas who want to get their skincare game on point. It comes with Anti-Aging Serum, Eye Cream, Face Cream, and Toning Cleanser, all made from advanced peptide complexes for visible results.
Together, this gift set has everything a man needs to reduce fine lines while visibly improving firmness and elasticity for more youthful skin.
One of the things we never really thought about when we were younger is just how tough travel can be on your body, especially during the Winter.
Changing climates, indoor heating, and forced air on planes all take their toll on your skin and hair, often leaving them desperately in need of moisture.
The luxurious Jetset Travel Skincare Set from Lilfox contains Amazon After Dark facial cleansing balm, Blue Lagoon shiitake + micro-algae treatment mask, Haute C bright serum concentrate to make skin glow, Bitter Orange neroli toning mist, Ambrosia Immortalis peptide mask, and Pro Massage Nectar to leave your entire body feeling rejuvenated.
For spa-inspired pampering, try the HydraNature Deluxe Gift Set, which includes a 4 oz HydraNature Skin Cream, artisanal soap, 10 eucalyptus steamers, lip butter, cuticle pen, silk sleep mask, a sisal soap saver bag, and an Alderwood soap dish. It comes in an elegant magnetic blush box with satin ribbon, so it’s a gift that comes dressed to impress!
As its name implies, the Viking Beauty Secrets skincare line uses certified organic Nordic ingredients (including sea buckthorn, cloudberry, and rowanberry), with a 100% green energy plant and recyclable packaging for their products.
They’re offering two great gift sets for the 2025 holidays. The Exfoliating Face Scrub & Night Cream Gift Set uses berries, Icelandic volcanic sand, and Hyaluronic acid to gently scrub, rejuvenate, and moisturize the skin. Their Hydrate & Nourish Gift Set includes an Awakening Eye Cream and Glow Facial Oil, which moisturize intensely for a soft, radiant facial glow.
As environmentally & socially conscious consumers, Skincare By CMG ticks a lot of our boxes. Founded by black female Navy veteran Dr. Natasha Norris, the plant-based luxury skincare line uses cruelty-free and ethically sourced ingredients, is packaged using recyclable materials, and gives back to organizations that uplift young women.
They offer an extensive range of products for women and men, but highlights include the Gentle Herbal Cleanser infused with natural botanical extracts, a Hyaluronic Serum that helps keep travel-weary skin glowing and radiant, and a deeply hydrating Collagen Soufflé Masque.
The older I get, the more I appreciate the value of luxury products to help maintain my increasingly grey/silver hair, especially since our primary form of exercise (swimming laps) only makes it more dry and brittle.
Founded by veteran hairdresser and salon owner Rodger Az, äz Craft Luxury Haircare offers what he calls “Pure Authentic Haircare,” with a focus on improving your hair’s performance and overall health.
After sampling their sulfate-, paraben- and sodium chloride-free Indulge Shampoo & Conditioner and Sooth Serum, I found the quality comparable to the products I’ve gotten from Aveda (which were much more expensive), offering strength, shine, volume, and frizz control without weighing down my hair.
Founded by board-certified naturopathic Doctor Trevor Cates, The SPA Dr. is a skincare and haircare line that focuses on crafting clean, natural products without any harsh or toxic elements.
Their Restore Shampoo & Hydrating Conditioner are designed to reduce breakage and leave you with stronger, fuller hair, while the Nourishing Hair Mask offers deep hydration and shine, and the Hair Serum offers intense scalp hydration.
Founded on a farm in Ohio by beekeeper David Rzepka, Beessential is a cruelty-free company that creates eco-friendly haircare and skincare products made with natural ingredients from their hives, including honey, beeswax, and propolis.
Our favorite bath & beauty gift sets include their Shower Gift Set (Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap, Honey Hand & Body Cream & 3 Lip Balms), the Lavender Bliss Holiday Gift Set (Body Wash, Body Cream, Hand Soap, Soy Candle & 3 Lip Balms), and Happbee Holidays Lip Balm Tin (which can be customized with up to 5 flavors).
Soaphee was founded by Las Vegas-based chemist Nicolette Samson, who developed skin allergies to commercial soaps after becoming a first-time mom. Now she’s a small-batch soap-maker who uses high-quality ingredients to craft her beautiful bars.
Her botanical soaps look as good as they smell, with sumptuous scents such as Honey Oat, Lavender Meadows, Turmeric Citrus, and (my favorite, as a coffee lover) the exfoliating Caffeine Scrub. Samson also crafts a Balancing Glow Oil for face and body, which moisturizes intensely by using Jojoba Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Squalane, and Vitamin E.
I’ve always been a bit of a metrosexual when it comes to grooming. But despite giving laser hair removal a try (12 sessions!) about 20 years ago, my body hair just kept coming back.
The problem with body hair most people don’t talk about is that it only seems to grow more abundant as we age, coming out in places NOBODY wants (ears, unibrow, etc) even as it thins on top of our heads!
Billed as “the #1 Best Head & Body Shaver” in the business, the Freebird FlexSeries Pro Shaving Kit offers an extremely close, comfortable shave (wet or dry), with a sleek ergonomic design and no nicks or snags. The kit comes with a precision clipper, 3 clipper guards, nose & ear trimmer, micro cleaning brush, and a 60-day “Bald Confidence” trial guarantee.
Their FlexSeries Shaving Kit for Women offers similar features and includes 4 QuickSnap attachments– a BodySmooth rotary blade, Bikini Trimmer, Exfoliation Brush, and Skin Massager. Like all of their FlexSeries shaves, it features an IPX6 waterproof rating, 90-minute runtime, and TSA-approved cordless design. -by Bret Love
The post The Best Gifts for Home & Health (45+ Great Gift Ideas) appeared first on Green Global Travel.
