One person’s return

December 14, 2024

📦 One person’s return … is another’s “new” purchase. Amazon lets items that pass a quality check be resold as “new,” even if they’ve been opened. Look for the letters “LPN” on the packaging. That’s a telltale sign it’s been reprocessed. Hit up Amazon’s customer service pronto for a replacement.

Tags: Amazon, customer service, returns, shopping

Printer friendly

Most popular gifts: $10, $20, $50 and splurges

If it’s not if they sell out … it’s when. This is me giving you permission to buy yourself something, too. Happy shopping!

✅ Hit this link for hundreds of my great ideas for guys and gals of any age.

Continue reading →

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Unique gifts for kids

🎁 These are way more memorable than a gift card or Robux.

If you ever need space from your little ones, turn on a star projector (30% off, $35). They’ll be over the moon. 🌝
An LCD doodle tablet ($20) is basically a fancier, way cooler Etch-A-Sketch. Click the box for 10% off!
A slime kit ($9) is the perfect gift for a fidgety kid (or adult — I don’t judge).
I used to love these rubber band bracelet kits (18% off). I’m so glad they’re still around.
Minecraft Legos — need I say more?
This DIY kit ($10) keeps ‘em busy making cute mini donuts.
Kinetic sand ($14) is so much fun. Bonus: It’s way easy to clean up.
Indisputable fact: Every girl wants pink hair at some point in her life. This temporary hair chalk ($15) even works on dark hair.
A bath bomb potion kit ($20) is basically a bathtub science lab.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Cracking the case: You can buy mystery bundles of unclaimed mail starting around $40. The boxes could contain anything from knock-off Chanel bags and fake IDs to total junk. Florida-based Fundelivered has sold over 90,000 bundles in the last three years. I wanted to buy one, but they’re sold out. What a great business idea, right?

Stock up before you’re too busy

😵‍💫 Have guests coming for the holidays? Mark this off your to-do list today. Some make good gifts, too, just sayin’.

Unscented candles (30% off) for cozy light without covering up the smell of fresh cookies.
Holiday hand soap (35% off a 3-pack) so every bathroom feels festive.
Toss around extra throw blankets to help guests feel snug and right at home.
Fancy (but inexpensive) salt ($8) for sprinkling on chocolate chip cookies, steak, roasted veggies — whatever.
Leather-looking tissue box covers ($9!) to class up the place. Love these.
Bottle stoppers (2 for $3) for the wine you don’t finish.
Riddles and brainteasers to solve with the whole fam. If you’re all competitive, stick with Uno.
The easiest snack to put out with drinks when you have no time.
Deli-style to-go containers (18% off) to send everyone off with leftovers.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

🚗 Amazon now sells cars in 48 cities: Right now, it’s limited to new Hyundai models, but more brands and leasing options are coming to Amazon Autos next year. The price at checkout is what you’ll pay, so no back-and-forth with pushy salespeople. PSA: Don’t drink and shop, because that would be wheelie, wheelie bad.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Gifts to make anyone laugh

🎁 Isn’t that what the holidays are all about?

A pair of socks ($8) that hold hands. So cute and a little mischievous.
You’d be a silly goose not to get someone this magnetic key holder ($16).
A Michael Scott dishwasher magnet ($9) for your favorite fan of “The Office.” Don’t let Prison Mike catch you putting dirty dishes in the sink.
Indoor air hockey pucks ($20) that work on any flat surface! Fun. Just watch out for ankles.
For the animal lover, a mini dog park for their desk that comes with a little fire hydrant or a zen garden cat litter box (under $9).

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

You’re getting sleepy

👑 One-third of our lives is spent sleeping. These gifts will make your recipient feel like royalty doing it.

A glass mushroom lamp ($25) gives their room a cool ‘70s vibe. Groovy!
A bedside water carafe? Talk about luxury. 💅
The best word to describe these stained-glass light bulbs is “whimsical.” They’re hand-painted!
For the art lover (or the dramatic one), gift wireless gallery lights (28% off). They’re battery-powered and easy to install.
Velvet blackout drapes ($34) curtain-ly make every room a whole lot cozier.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Top tech gifts of 2024

Give the gifts they really want — at your budget.

Over-the-ear headphones
💸 The Apple AirPods Max (16% off, $459.99) are top-of-the-line. They come in 10 colors and have super-comfy memory foam ear pads. I have a pair.
😏 Sony wireless headphones, on sale for only $38. They get 50 hours on a single charge, dang.

Bluetooth speakers
💸 The Bose SoundLink Flex (20% off, $119) is waterproof and portable, with excellent sound quality.
😏 The Tribit Xsound Plus 2 ($60; click the coupon for 10% off) is waterproof and gets 24 hours of playtime on one charge.

Robot vacuum cleaners
💸 The Shark Robot vacuum and mop combo (26% off) uses super-efficient home mapping to vacuum and mop. It even empties its own dustbin!
😏 The iRobot vacuum works with Alexa and gives you clean map reports. It’s 40% off right now, so hurry!

TVs
💸 LG’s new C3 series 65-inch 4K TV ($1,397) has a super-powerful AI processor that adjusts depending on the room’s brightness. Cool!
😏 For under $350, this Insignia 65-inch 4K TV (29% off) is a great all-in-one pick. It comes with Fire TV built in and an Alexa voice remote.

Dashcams
💸 This 70mai dashcam ($110) has a super-high-tech Sony image sensor and built-in GPS tracking. Click the coupon for $20 off!
😏 Slightly smaller, this Avylet dashcam (17% off, $50) has 2K resolution, night vision and a 24-hour parking monitor.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Holiday home runs

🦸 Psst, you’ll feel like a superhero if you get some gift shopping done this weekend, just sayin’.

An Anker portable charger (under $20) so their phone never dies.
Carote’s nonstick cookware set is so darn pretty (54% off, $54.99).
Replace their decade-old e-reader with the new Kindle Paperwhite.
Heated eye massagers for the person who never takes a break.
I want this! A smart bird feeder (39% off) that records winged visitors and can identify 6,000 species.
I use this smart coffee mug (27% off) for my evening cup of tea.
Laneige lip balm for any gal, young or less young, on your list.
For guys, a Carhartt beanie. I don’t know one who wouldn’t wear it … OK, maybe Barry.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Futuristic finds

🤖 Gifts that’ll make ‘em feel like the future is now.

Channel “Blade Runner” with an LED shower head ($20). Disclaimer: No promises they’ll look as cool as Harrison Ford.
Give them the tech to sit back with a glass of wine while an automatic pot stirrer handles the chili.
An automatic dustpan sucks up everything, so they never have to look at that little dustpan line again. Click the box for $20 off.
It’s cold and there’s about to be a new season of “Squid Game.” Grab mirror glasses ($13) for your most Netflix-obsessed pal who wants to watch in bed.
This blush oil goes on clear and transforms into the perfect shade based on the wearer’s skin pH. Cheeky!

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.