GEARING UP
Items to buy for the new year,
Resolution: to live your best life. To make it happen, equip yourself with the tools you’ll need for cosier, happier, smarter and more efficient day-to-day living. Grab your gift cards and store flyers this Boxing Day and go hunting for these — the best buys for a better 2018.
The blender that makes you want to drink green smoothies
Subpar blenders lurk everywhere. They leave miniature icebergs in your frozen drinks and deliver chunky when you really needed creamy. Not so with the Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender. It’s a powerful countertop machine that delivers consistent, professional results for soups, smoothies, and more. Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender, $749.99; The Bay, thebay.com
The yoga mat that will have you committing to a daily practice
Yes, $92.50 is more than what a lot of amateur yogis would like to spend on a mat. But this isn’t a purchase many people regret. It has the perfect amount of cushioning, it’s easy to clean, it’s lightweight, and it’s slip-resistant. It’s designed to last a lifetime (Manduka even offers a guarantee). Plus, you won’t find any of that trademark rubbery odour. Manduka PROLite Mat Indulge, $92.50; indigo.ca
The gadget that makes it too easy to open another bottle
Purists be damned. Sure, wielding a corkscrew is no big deal, but why go to the trouble when this rechargeable electric wine opener can do it for you? A foil cutter does away with the seal, the opener takes care of the cork, and in seconds, your bottle is ready for pouring. Oster Electric Wine Bottle Opener, $32.99; Bed Bath & Beyond, bedbathandbeyond.ca
The mattress that half a million people swear by
Seriously. That’s about how many people have converted to Casper’s innovative mattress. The company says its high-density memory foam, breathable top layer, and deeply supportive bottom layers are to thank for a sleep surface that keeps the sleeper feeling cool and weightless. Get yours for $150 less until Dec. 31, with code BOX150. Casper mattress; regularly $725 to $1,275; casper.com
The classic planner that never goes out of style
You’ll never go wrong with a Moleskine. They’re understated and smartly designed, so you’ll actually want to pencil in your appointments. In our everything-digital world, using a touchable planner feels sophisticated. Indigo will be offering 30 per cent off Moleskine hardcover pocketand full-sized 12-month weekly planners during Boxing Week. Moleskine hardcover weekly planners; regularly $21 to $25; Indigo, indigo.ca
The Danish wool slippers that deliver major hygge
One hundred per cent pure wool and genuine leather outer soles make these unisex slippers ultra-cosy and durable. Glerups do away with the itch factor commonly associated with wool booties, plus their Danish design sensibility imbues them with a laid-back cool factor. Glerups, $89; MEC, mec.ca
The noise machine endorsed by sleep experts
More than 12,000 nearly flawless online reviews can’t be wrong. This white-noise machine offers two speeds of calming white noise that help mask irritating sounds and create an environment that helps adults and babies alike fall asleep and stay asleep. It’s the official sound condition of the National Sleep Foundation in the U.S. Beat that. Marpac Dohm Elite White Noise Machine, $69.99; Bed Bath & Beyond, bedbathandbeyond.ca
The TV that takes movie night to a new level
Superior, amazing and stunning are a few of the adjectives that crop up when you read reviews for this LG television. One reviewer went as far to say you could never go back to another TV. Why? Because the picture quality needs to be seen to be believed. The clarity, colour preciseness, anti-glare, and cinematic audio system will make you feel like you’re in a theatre. Maybe even better than a theatre. Oh, and it’s got all the smart TV bells and whistles, so you can listen to music, connect to the internet, pair Bluetooth devices, and more. Get it for $770 less at Best Buy on Boxing Day. LG C7 55” 4K UHD HDR OLED webOS 3.5 Smart TV, regularly $2,769.99; Best Buy, bestbuy.ca
The humidifier that lets you breathe easier and cleaner
Leave it to Dyson to devise the humidifier to end all humidifiers. Its futuristic-looking device offers even humidification during dry winters and high-velocity cooling during the muggy summer months. Plus, it features fancy ultraviolet cleanse technology that kills 99.9 per cent of bacteria before releasing mist. Best Buy is offering $100 off on Boxing Day. Dyson AM10 Humidifier, regularly $599.99; Best Buy, bestbuy.ca