The Little Treats We Loved Splurging On This Year
From blooming flower teas to funky oven mitts, these products were worth their price tags and then some.
When you’re having a hard day, buying yourself something special can turn it right around. We’re not talking about expensive purchases, here — a pastry, an accessory or something to spruce up your home can all do the trick.
We asked our staffers to share the best foods, kitchen gadgets and décor they bought themselves, and felt were well worth it, this year. If you need to indulge, check out their recommendations.
"I’m a big olive oil nerd, and I cannot get enough of the Laudemio Frescobaldi Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It’s exactly the right balance of buttery, grassy and peppery and is the key to keeping me enthusiastically making crisp salads almost daily in fall and winter. The olives are hand-picked on the estate of the Frescobaldi family in Florence, then cold-pressed. I think of it as precious liquid gold that makes everything sparkle, from crispy fennel, endive and radicchio to peppery arugula. It’s also my favorite finishing touch to pasta. Since the bottle reminds me of a beautifully cut gemstone, it also makes for a beautiful small luxury gift." — Alessandra Bulow, Senior Editor
"I try to fill my home with timeless, vintage furniture. That way, I won’t have to purchase new furniture as styles change. But it’s fun for me to impulse buy hyper-trendy decor, especially when it has a built-in lifespan like a shower curtain or bath towel, which isn’t made to last forever. Recently, I bought a pair of bright striped Dusen Dusen oven mitts from the NYC-based entertaining store Big Night. In my eyes, they instantly make my neutral kitchen look trendy. When I put them on, I get the same thrill a fresh mani brings." — Heath Goldman, Culinary Editor
"I always feel grounded when I take the time to brew a pot of herbal tea before bed. But it feels extra special when I brew a pot of The Qi’s Blue Lotus Flower Tea, a whole flower that blooms beautifully in the pot. It’s so subtle and earthy. I love it." — Maggie Wong, Editor
"I recently joined the trend of reusable dishcloths and I’ve been so happy with my purchase from Harps&Seb on Amazon. The reusable paper towels are eco-friendly and super absorbent. The brand boasts that one dishcloth replaces 17 rolls of paper towels, and I must admit it’s held up great to my daily use wiping down my kitchen counters. I love the available patterns to choose from, so they aren’t an eyesore to hang. If you are looking to make the switch to more sustainable kitchen supplies, these reusable paper towels are a great start." — Jennifer Cicatelli, Senior Manager, Commerce Analytics
"There is something about the Levain chocolate chip cookie that will make you smile. I’m lucky enough to work near one of their bakeries in NYC, but I’ve shipped the cookies from New York to Florida as surprise gifts for loved ones. All cookies are baked daily in small batches and hand packed to order. They arrive on the specified shipping date you select with the freshness of stopping at the store. The cookies are seriously decadent, leaving you wanting to eat more. They are famous for their Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie, but I urge you to try them all." — Jennifer Cicatelli, Senior Manager, Commerce Analytics
"This spoon rest is a great functional yet decorative piece that I can’t believe I’ve gone my whole life without. Not only is it so helpful in keeping clutter and mess off my countertops, but it looks so cute on any surface! You can never get sick of the simplistic design, and despite its fun-size, it still manages to elevate my kitchen thanks to the vibrant white glaze. I may have to buy another in a different color because I’m obsessed." — Julia Morlino, Editorial Assistant, Commerce, Food Network + HGTV
"I am that person who cannot start prepping for Christmas soon enough. Once November 1st hits, it’s Christmas music and hot cocoa on repeat for the rest of the year. While I am waiting to put up my tree until Thanksgiving, this new seasonal candle from Grove Co. is tiding me over until then. The brand’s newest Iced Pear scent is a delicious blend of cider and warming spices that fits both the late fall weather and Christmas spirit currently in my household. Plus, it’s only $17 ($14 when you subscribe)!" — T.K. Brady, Senior Editor
"I prefer desserts that are not overly sweet, and I love shortbread cookies made with real butter. I recently discovered these mini shortbread cookies from Nashville-based The Shortbread Shop. In addition to traditional shortbread, they come in several flavors, but my favorites are lemon, pistachio and lavender. The Petites are the perfect little bite-sized cookies to enjoy after a meal or with tea or coffee. Plus, they come in cute packaging and would make great gifts." — Laura James, Editor
"I’ve tried several non-alcoholic cocktail alternatives, and I always come back to this non-alcoholic aperitif from Ghia when I want a fun mocktail. I like mixing one part Ghia (Original flavor!) to three parts lemon sparkling water. It’s also great mixed with ginger beer." — Laura James, Editor
"It’s no secret that the Owala FreeSip has taken the water bottle world by storm this year. Its fun, vibrant colorways and superior insulation make it a must-buy. However, I prefer drinking out of a tumbler with a handle, so I decided to purchase the Owala 40-Ounce Tumbler instead of the FreeSip. You can sip from the included straw or slide the lid to swig mode and drink from it like a regular cup. The ‘Smell the Roses’ colorway has brought a dose of happiness to my daily water-intake routine. Bonus: The tumbler fits in most cup holders." — Morgan Faulkner, Editorial Assistant
"I’m a huge fan of using the Scrub Mommy sponges in my kitchen. I love that one side features the signature Scrub Daddy FlexTexture material to really tackle stuck-on messes, while the other side boasts a soft ResoFoam sponge material to thoroughly clean. I recently picked up the Power Flower set and am obsessed with the adorable flower-shaped design. (TBH, all of Scrub Daddy’s special-edition designs are so cute.) The vibrant colors and fun shape definitely make washing dishes a little brighter." — Morgan Faulkner, Editorial Assistant
"I always appreciate a pair of cute, fuzzy socks when the weather turns colder, and when I found these ones, I couldn’t resist. They just make me giggle. It was an excellent use of five dollars, if you ask me." — Sabrina Choudhary, Online Editorial Coordinator, Food Network Magazine
"My old plastic ice cube trays started cracking and leaking, so I knew it was time for an upgrade. I switched to this silicone tray on our shopping experts’ recommendation, and I have to say, I can’t believe it took me so long. Gone are the days of waiting for my ice cubes to melt a little to loosen them from the tray; with this silicone mold, I can pop them right out. The cubes are big enough to work in cocktails and small enough to fill a glass for my morning coffee. Plus, it's dishwasher safe!" — Sabrina Choudhary, Online Editorial Coordinator, Food Network Magazine
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