A holiday tradition! Here’s my list.

1. Ninja Foodi 8-in-1 Digital Air Fry Oven. I liked this because it needs minimal counter space when not in use unlike the Incredible Hulk of a toaster oven it replaced. I thought the flip feature would be fussy but the unit displays FLIP when it’s cooled down enough. Great for toasting, heating up foods, and of course, air frying.

2. A coffee station in the bedroom. I took way too long to make this a reality and I’m so glad I finally did. After a lot of searching, I found a small freestanding island that fits over the mini fridge that we already had. In addition to creamer and cold drinks in the fridge and an icepack for midnight migraines in the world’s tiniest freezer, we have a tea kettle, a coffee maker, and a small microwave. Plus there’s a drawer for tea and snacks all in about 3 feet by 2 feet of space. It’s awesome.

3. Fleece blankets. We have many of the Big One Fleece Throws from Kohl’s. I love cotton blankets but they are no match for dogs. We learned pretty quickly that everyone and every dog needs their own fleece. Buddy likes to make a nest with them and will steal yours when you aren’t looking. These are the only blankets that have held up to dogs who like to dig in the blankets to get comfy. Again, we’ve had some of these for a long time and they’ve saved us wear and tear on furniture and help us keep the thermostat low. Microplastic pollution is a concern with any synthetic fabric. Check out this article from Wirecutter on reducing microfiber pollution.

4. Solar lights. We have these in our yard and they are super helpful in the winter when we are out in the dark with the dogs. They saved us from the near impossible job of hardwired lighting. There are many brands, some work better than others, so there’s some trial and error. Most of the ones we have purchased have lasted for years. Pay attention to the size, the number of LEDs, and the activation distance. I accidentally purchased a few that you need to get pretty close to before they will come on.

   And look for solar lanterns that cast a pattern. I found some solar dragonfly lanterns that make me ridiculously happy.

5. Socks! Bombas Gripper Slippers and Gripper Calf Socks are my go-to socks and slippers in the winter. We have hardwood floors and the non-slip feature is pretty handy.

   I can tell socks are a favorite when they show up in the wash every week like a pair from Darn Tough Vermont. Great color and size options are available at REI and directly from Darn Tough Vermont.

6. American Giant hoodies: these hoodies are made in the U.S. using American-grown cotton. You can read more about their community approach and dedication to local supply chains here. These high-quality hoodies are available in many styles and colors.

7. Rice cooker: we have a basic rice cooker with two settings, cook and warm. We make a brown rice and quinoa blend every other day. Rice cookers make it ridiculously easy. I know single-use appliances aren’t always ideal, but this is one we use all the time. Easy to use, easy to clean, we’ve had it for a long time.

8. Brain toys for the fur kids: we have several of these with various levels of difficulty. After years of training, Buddy is a pro. Indy is still learning. They are great on a rainy day or when you’re trying to get something done and the dogs are underfoot. We often use a combo of kibble and treats. Here are a couple of favorites: TRIXIE Activity Flip Board Activity Strategy Game Dog Toy and NINA OTTOSSON BY OUTWARD HOUND Brick Puzzle Game Dog Toy.  Zuke’s Mini Naturals are a favorite mini treat and work perfectly in these interactive toys.

9. HISEA waterproof shoes. These are great slip-on garden shoes that are actually waterproof. My first pair were a gift from my sister and she provided more substantial insoles which I also recommend. I have a really hard time finding comfortable shoes and these are amazing for me.

10. Kitchen gloves. We use these for cutting chores, especially hot peppers. They are great for holding on to things so you don’t slip and cut yourself. Plus they are great for shredding and microplaning and helpful for opening jars and bottles. https://bestreviews.com/kitchen/tools/best-cut-resistant-gloves.