Weighted stuffed animals and holiday cookie cutters; barrel jeans and paint-by-numbers; self-cleaning water bottles and pretty-smelling perfumes. These are a few of our favorite things. (*Cue Julie Andrews singing and twirling on a mountaintop.*) Except instead of warm woolen mittens, we’re reveling in joy-sparking buys that made the holidays a little brighter, a little merrier, and a whole lot more satisfying.

The holidays were made all the merrier with joy-boosting products that filled Well+Good editors’ carts and hearts—and what better way to close out 2024 than to share the joy with you? This has been a long, winding year, but these little indulgences reminded us to find happiness in the everyday. So, consider this list our love letter to the wellness finds that ended the year on a high note.

Without further ado, we present to you a few of our December joy-bringers. And for more retail therapy, you can find *all* the products that brought us joy this year at our Joy of the Month franchise here.

Jenna Gibson, Creative VP

Maikoo Paint by Number — $25.00

“What started as a way to decompress at night with something fun and creative, has become quite addicting! The art options are actually frameable and the quality of paint is nice. Shipping takes a bit but it’s worth it!”

Francesca Krempa, Commerce Editor

Joinor Cake Leaves Baking Pie Crust Crust Cutters (Set of 4) — $10.00

“I am not a baker but I was tasked with baking a pumpkin pie for our family’s Thanksgiving, and after watching too many episodes of GBBO, was inspired to add a little *sparkle* to my pie. These cookie cutters (or pie crust cutters) are $10 for a pack of four and will wow your family, as they did mine. Not to toot my own horn, they definitely would earn me a Hollywood Handshake.”

Madewell The Darted Barrel-Leg Jean — $138.00

“I caved and finally bought a pair of the nearly-always-sold-out Madewell Barrell Jeans on a *very* rare trip to the mall. And you know what? I love how they look so much—weird big legs, tiny waist—that I ordered another pair in the mail.”

Ciara Lucas, Senior Fitness Writer and Correspondent

Truly Gifted Token Moment — $38.00

“‘Tis the season of gifting and celebrating! Truly Gifted is a special way to recognize milestone moments and give or receive small tokens of gratitude. I love that it’s a unique option to stay connected with my friends and family who live far away from me, and I can show them my love with a handwritten card, a personalized token, and a framed photo-worthy moment. In this hyper-digital age, having this physical version of a memory makes it that much more meaningful.”

Alyssa Gray, Digital Designer

Larq Water Bottle — $109.00

“This water bottle has been a game changer for me! Not only does it self-clean every two hours, but it also makes tap water taste incredible. I feel so encouraged to drink more water now because it tastes so fresh. The bottle is also easy to bring with me everywhere and is the perfect size to fit in cup holders and on the side of my backpack. I charge it easily with my cellphone’s USB-C cable and, so far, the charge has lasted all month long. Who knew hydration could be this easy?” 

Chloe Metzger, Deputy Editor

CarePod One Stainless Steel Humidifier — $275.00

“This is the only humidifier on the market that’s genuinely easy to clean and sterilize (trust me, I’ve Googled and researched every possible humidifier, and if there were a cheaper competitor, I’d buy it). The structure is primarily just a stainless steel bowl that can be boiled on the stove or tossed in the dishwasher. There are zero nooks or crannies where mildew can hide and grow, so my allergy-riddled body has never been happier. It’s pricey, but I 100 percent will be saving up my money for another one because it’s that great.”

Danielle Calma, Commerce Writer

Kismet Olfactive "Tuberose Tantra" — $175.00

“I don’t typically like floral fragrances as they often make me dizzy. But Kismet Olfactive’s ‘Tuberose Tantra’ has changed my mind. It’s more sexy than sweet, like a caress, and it’s made with aphrodisiac oils, which is what might make it so intoxicating—that and notes of clove, jasmine, and sandalwood. After a few spritzes, it lingers on my skin without making me feel like there’s a fragrant (read: pungent) cloud wafting behind me. I thought twice about sharing it, but this perfume is too lovely not to.”

Aimee Simeon, Senior Beauty Editor

Eyebuy Direct Atom Glasses — $42.00

“I like to reserve my fancy designer eyeglass frames for special outfits and occasions, and I keep a pair of less expensive frames to wear around the house, to exercise, and so on. These have been my go-to lately—they’re made from recyclable bio-nylon and are super lightweight. I love the soft green rubber accents, which make these super comfortable to wear for hours at a time. Best part? They don’t slip off. So whether I am sweating it out to a cardio video in my living room, cleaning my bathroom, or just watching TV, I can be super comfy in my ‘home’ glasses.”

Good Psyche Glisten Up! Hydro-Boosting Facial Mist — $38.00

“While most dermatologists would say that face mists are a purely optional beauty product—aka—they won’t do much for your skin regarding drastic, noticeable results; it’s still a nice-to-have step that I don’t skip in my routine. I was recently introduced to this brand, Good Psyche, which is a line of ingestible and topical products that support inner and outer beauty. I’ve been loving the Glisten Up! face mist, made with tremella mushroom, also known as snow mushroom, and adaptogenic botanicals to soothe and hydrate your skin. While you can use it to perk up your skin when you need a refresher during the day, I find it super soothing (it smells like lavender and sage) to douse my clean face with before applying my serums and creams at night.”

Hello Bello Limited-Edition Grinch Diapers — $20.00

“Hello, Bello generously gifted me—or my toddler—these limited-edition Grinch diapers for the holiday season, but I am honestly happier about them than she is. They have the same absorbency and snug fit that I love about Hello Bello’s diapers, but they’re printed in two adorable Grinch patterns that excite me every time we use them. Plus, they add some holiday cheer to diaper changes (which are usually anything but cheerful).”*

*Gifted

Allison Forsyth, Associate Health Editor

Hugimals World Supersized Heart to Hug Weighted Pillow — $88.00

“Ever since I tried out a weighted blanket at a friend’s house, I knew I needed to get one myself. The idea of being enveloped in such warm coziness on cold nights and heft that could calm even the most restless sleeper, such as myself, was so appealing. But I didn’t want anything that would be too heavy to move around or hard to wash. So when I discovered this eight-pound weighted pillow, I knew it was meant to be. It’s just the right size and weight, is super fluffy, and is perfect for resting on your chest or stomach while lounging on the couch (afternoon nap, anyone?). It also has little pockets for your hands, so you can cuddle up while watching TV. It’s the perfect accessory for those lazy winter days spent indoors!”*

*Gifted

Amy Eisinger, Head of Content

R+Co Bleu F-Layer Detangling Mist — $42.00

“I’ve been using both of these sprays now for a few months on my journey of hair regrowth (postpartum moms, IYKYK). The detangler mist has honestly helped so much post-shower, as my hair has gotten so much longer now—I feel like I experience less shedding, pulling, and less breakage. I’ve been using the thickening spray prior to heat styling, and I genuinely feel like it’s helped give my hair more lift—but without the stiff or sticky feeling that so many products leave behind. A couple of sprays on my roots when my hair is still damp and I’m good to go. Combined, the products have left my hair feeling a little softer and smoother all day.”*

*Gifted

Vibriance Super C Serum — $42.00

“Vitamin C serums are one of those staples in my skincare routine. I’ve tried everything—from Drunk Elephant to CosRX to Paula’s Choice. But this one, from Vibriance was new to me. It has a light citrus scent, but it goes on smoothly and works just fine underneath my sunscreen and makeup. I love that it feels light on my skin and absorbs well—without looking too greasy or shiny (though there was a nice glow). Winter is tough on my skin, and so far, this has helped keep my skin hydrated and flake-free. And while it’s not the cheapest, it’s also not as expensive as some of the other vitamin C serums out there, making it a good addition to my rotation.”*

*Gifted

Khuyen Dinh, Editorial Assistant

Hart Jewelry Bezel Tennis Necklace — $230.00

“This year has been the year of the necklace stack for me—more is more! This tennis necklace is subtle enough that it doesn’t take over my whole outfit but adds the perfect amount of sparkle to my accessories! I find myself wearing this pretty much whenever I leave the house. The quality for the price is incredible and the entire shop is the cutest small business in Charleston!”*

*Gifted