I Refuse To Shop On Black Friday, So I’m Buying These Holiday Gifts On Prime Day

It seems like I blinked and Laneige was the most popular K-Beauty brand on the scene, although it’s been around since 1994. That said, it’s not like other beauty brands that prioritize pretty packaging with disappointing product efficacy. Per reviewers, this Lip Glowy balm is the BOMB. They swear it lasts longer than others they’ve used for years. Today, it’s 30% off exclusively on Amazon, so it’s a good grab for stocking stuffers or tiny gifts you want to give your co-workers.

JW Pei is a hidden gem fashion brand with handbags that rival luxury brands at more accessible prices. The brand’s Ellie bag has a beautiful sculptural design, an adjustable shoulder strap, an interior slip pocket and it’s made with vegan pebbled leather. The thing looks expensive, and it’s 15% off today, dropping it to just under $80. I’ll be nabbing this in two colors for my bestie this year.

I have a few friends who host podcasts (or have plans to) and some who really love gaming. This is going to be such a win of a gift to give.

Promising review: “I read books on youtube and have been searching for a new mic for a while. I saw this little guy and decided to give it a try. It is a medium sized mic with a build in stand and foam cover. There are several different light colors you can chose as well as how sensitive the microphone is and the sound is amazing. Absolutely worth the money. It doesn’t pic up any background noise unless I have the sensitivity way up. Then it will even pick up if you touch the table it’s sitting on. It’s a sturdy material and I think it will last a long time. I love using this, it makes my recording days not so long. It’s also very stable and doesn’t wiggle around on the table. It’s compatible with windows 10, and is at a comfortable height, which can be adjusted. It’s also usb, so I can just plug it in and go.” — Jamie Hildreth

I own these, LOVE these and they’re a perfect, budget-friendly gift for stocking stuffer, white elephant games or housewarmings.

Transparently, I’ll be gifting this to myself in this plum hue, but it’s also on my list to gift to my younger brother in another color.

As cool as towels used to look meticulously wrapped around a freshly washed head on television back in the day, in real life, I’ve never actually been able to keep the towel fixed for all that long. These microfiber Kitsch towel wraps are super convenient for me, and a welcome self-care gift to treat others to.

This is a true everyday bag, as it checks every box. It’s stylish, will hold your entire life inside and it’s durable enough to be a bag you won’t run into the ground from everyday use. And this tortoise shell print? Classic and SO chic. This is the perfect gift for someone who’s always on the go. I’m checking it off of my list for a good friend this Prime Day for sure!

Promising review: “I absolutely love this Flaunt bag! I use it as my work tote and get so many compliments every time I bring it into the office. Even one of my colleagues keeps carrying it around saying she’s going to ‘steal it’ because she loves it so much. It fits everything I need for work and more—laptop essentials, wallet, phone, keys, makeup, and all the daily extras without feeling bulky or disorganized. It’s also super easy to clean, which makes it perfect for everyday office use. Stylish, practical, and durable—this has quickly become my go-to work tote. I couldn’t be happier with it!” — Angel

My mom is a perfume fanatic, sometimes to my nose’s chagrin when she gets a little to excited. That said, I don’t let a birthday or Christmas go by without gifting her a replacement for perfume she’s low on or a brand new scent for her to spray all over — and I always grab ‘em on sale. This Lancôme fragrance is 25% off right now, and there’s no way you or I could lose gifting this.

If you know a makeup wearer, but YOU know nothing about makeup, take it from me, a former beauty reporter and a shopping expert: The ABH Soft Glam palette is a winning option to gift. Launched in 2018, it’s become a brand staple for good reason. The shadows are beautifully pigmented, so when swiped onto a lid (or cheekbones, for you savvy folks), the color payoff remains immaculate. It doesn’t feather on mature skin. And its colors range from neutrals like Rustic to rich hues like Mulberry. A person could pull this palette out for anything from a wedding to a regular day at work, and there’s a color combo that works, making it a go-to palette for many. Today, it’s 30% off and baby, that’s a dang good price for a premium brand.

Great skin is always a good gift, yes? Dropping this Goda silk body oil into a stocking is one luxurious way to treat a loved one to it.

I have a really good friend who enjoys Billie Eilish. She won’t be in concert in our city for a while, so of course, the artist’s fragrance is another a cool way to surprise her — especially with this 43% Prime Day discount.

Everyone I’ve ever given a Yankee Candle has always called or texted me days later to say how good it smells and often, how surprised they are by how long it lasts. As a person burns candles all the time, I can confidently say it’s the best candle around.

Promising review: “This is my absolute favorite scent for fall! It makes my house smell so good! Great price for the size. I can leave it burning for hours and it melts evenly.” — Amber

If you know anyone who’s on the go a lot or works long hours in general, do them the biggest favor by gifting them a Stanley tumbler. Truly, I didn’t believe the hype until I tried it. Mine has become a real go-to because of how long it keeps my drinks hot or cold when I’m buried on a time crunch and prefer not to pause my task. The thing works overtime, which is super helpful because I do too. It’s on sale in select color options, so grab the best one and a carrying case. You can’t go wrong with this one.

The general rule, according to some experts, is that non-stick pots and pans should be replaced once every five years, and even sooner if you see the non-stick surface start to peel. People still don’t always do it with most of us holding on to the same pots for YEARS. That said, please don’t overlook a good pot set for holiday gifting this year. It feels evergreen, but there’s a huge chance you’ll be right on time and it’ll be super appreciated by anyone you love who loves to cook.

Strikingly similar to the TikTok-fave cookware brand Caraway, this stackable set from Carote is made with a nonstick granite material that’s as easy to clean as it is nice to look at. The 21-piece set includes two frying pans with matching lids, a saucepan with a lid, a silicone spatula, and more. Their magnetic, conductive stainless steel bases mean that this cookware is compatible with all stovetop types, including induction.

Quality sleep is literally important for every human. If you know anyone already uses a weight blanket or could just use some encouragement to rest their eyes more, consider this Nodpod a helpful gesture.

Promising review: "I recommend a nodpod to anyone that will listen! I think the weight of this sleep mask is just right, and personally I love that it’s intended to come off once you’ve fallen asleep and rolled over or whatnot. I couldn’t use other sleep masks because I’d feel kind of claustrophobic with it wrapped all the way around my head and this takes care of that! I also really like the silk option; it’s got a cooling quality to it and seems to be holding up well! I wash mine on delicate and lay it out to air dry. As far as my sleep itself, I feel like I fall asleep easier and tend to feel more rested. Genuinely love this thing and intend to give everyone I know one for Christmas this year lol" — Victoria

Earbuds and phone chargers seem like the go-to where standard tech gifts are concerned. This time, gift something that’ll surprise them when they open it, and have them nodding their head and thanking you soon after. A solid candidate: This “spy device” that’s pretty much a wand you can swipe to unveil hidden recording devices in your immediate area, including small cameras, GPS, and radio frequency devices. These have been trending on TikTok for a while as a way to ensure there aren’t any cameras in your Airbnb or fitting room. The ideal folks to give this too are your heavy travelers or people you know who love a good conspiracy lol.

A LifeStraw water bottle will change the game for folks who love hiking and camping (or for those who simply like to be prepared for literally anything). It's got a filter designed to remove microplastics, bacteria, parasites and more (including E. coli, Salmonella, and Giardia). A single filter lasts an impressively long time, providing about 1,000 gallons of clean, safe drinking water. From Prime Day, this bottle is 20% off.

Hand sanitizer is a must-have for everyone. We all know someone who keeps a bottle on them at all times, and likely someone who’s always asking for a hand sanitizer pump. Touchland's Power Mist hand sanitizer set is something you can break up and stick into the stockings of both those types of people, plus everyone in between. Beyond the brand’s pretty packaging (because again, that’s not what we spend money on), the formulation is a far cry from the drying and sticky-feeling gel-based sanitizers that most people use. It also doesn't have that strong alcohol smell. They are on the expensive side for a hand sanitizer, so grabbing them while they’re discounted for Prime Day is always the best move.

Lancôme’s Lash Idôle is the most elite mascara you can own and there’s not a person who’ll pull this from their stocking or gift bag and feel disappointed. It’s so good that it’s a 2026 HuffPost Shopping Award winner and a regular topseller. Featuring a lightweight, long-lasting formula that’s infused with white tea extract for conditioning your lashes as it coats them, it helps fan lashes out and gives them a whole lot of fluttery oomph sans smudging. “Goes on smoothly,” user me q. wrote. “I am 68 years old, and my lashes look like lashes of a 20-year-old. I won’t be using anything else.”

The full-size tube sold like hotcakes during June’s Prime Day sale and even briefly sold out. I didn’t buy it then because years of Prime Day coverage pointed toward it being a better deal in the fall, and here we are. The full size is now under $20, and it hasn’t been this cheap since Black Friday of last year. Godspeed!

HuffPost Shopping Writer Tessa Flores swears by this Korean lip mask with a distinctive jelly texture and a heavy dose of derm-approved PDRN to minimize the appearance of lip lines, make lips look more plump, and, above all, stave off chronic dryness — especially around the corners of the mouth where regular retinol use can make it go flaky. “Not quite a balm and not quite a gloss, but somewhere in a delightful jammy middle, the Abib treatment feels cushiony and velvet-like on the lips and not at all sticky. Because of this, it’s much more comfortable to wear as an overnight lip mask, and I love waking up with noticeably softer lips,” Flores said.

Many users also say that this thick and nourishing lip gel “was the best product” they had ever used and worked miraculously on wrinkled, aging lips. The pretty pink ball of lip restoration is a stocking stuffer no-brainer at $12 for Prime Day.

My niece and nephew are always on my mind. I’ll be grabbing this 32% off Elmer’s Fluffy slime kit for them. It’s a got everything kids need to mix up soft, fluffy slime and get creative away from the screens. (Love you Ms. Rachel, but they can’t just watch you allll day.)

Multibalms are the way of skin care's future, and beloved K-beauty brand Medicube released this plumping pink stick packed with a powerful combo of PDRN, retinol, NAD, peptides and collagen for a bouncy and hydrated complexion.

Flores dubbed it “the closest thing to facial filler I’ll ever get” — and I trust her. This sub-$20 pink skin care stick is going in the stockings of all my 30-something friends this year.

My mom’s been wanting an updated purifier and I’m eyeing this Coway on Prime Day to surprise her with it for Christmas! Boasting a three-stage filtration system — a washable pre-filter for larger particles, a True HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter — the Coway air purifier powers through everything from large dust particles to cooking fumes and household odors to help purify the air. People also credit it with sucking particles from the air that carry other household members’ germs when they’re sick. It also features an air quality detector plus multiple modes and fan speeds to customize its operation for your needs throughout the day. It’s a winning Prime Day grab at 30% off. Get it while you can!

Promising review: “It’s going to be 3 years since I got it. Great product. We noticed a reduction in the dust on furniture and on the colds and seasonal allergies. The eco mode works very well, Keeping the fan in minimum for the most part, and sometimes cranking it up when it detects dust.” — RMB

Confession: This is going to be another gift for myself. 😅 My favorite black cardigan is years old and finally, a hole has appeared on the shoulder. Will I be sewing that up? Yes. But did that tell me I’ve put A LOT of miles on it with very few alternatives? Double yes. This one from Amazon looks strikingly similar to those of J.Crew, Quince, and Reformation fame — for half the price though. Made from a soft knit, lightweight fabric, it has a classic crewneck and slightly cropped fit that’s perfect for me. It comes in sizes 2XS-2XL and several colors, though not all colors will be on sale for Prime Day.

These Anisa Beauty brushes are BOMB. I’ve had mine for years and they’re still like new. They feel SO expensive, too, just like the day I got them. I really may buy these again for myself just to have backups, but I’m definitely grabbing some for my bestie’s holiday gift bag this year. Beyond how much I personallydig these, reviewers also celebrate the brushes for “smooth, soft” application “with no drag,” and for being easy to wash. Grab them for up to 63% off.

It’s time for my mom to get a new electric toothbrush after a few years with an old Christmas gift. This one is pretty much the cream of the crop. Not only to droves of reviewers adore it, but also our internal deals experts love it, too. HuffPost Shopping contributor and tech and wellness aficionado, Alex Aronson, adores this thing. “My husband and I both have one of these, and if you’re not using an electric toothbrush in 2026, you might as well be living in the Stone Age. Kidding... sort of,” he says. (I concur.)

“This electric toothbrush leaves my teeth feeling nice and clean, has six brushing modes and comes with a replacement brush head and travel case.” Getting it while it’s 41% off for Prime Day in all the good colors is a must.

Promising review: "I love my Philips electric toothbrush! It leaves my teeth feeling incredibly clean and smooth, just like I’ve had a professional cleaning. It’s easy to use, gentle on my gums, and the battery lasts a long time. I’m very happy with my purchase and would definitely recommend it!" — Lori Price

HuffPost contributor Alex Aronson swears by this thing and I’m eyeing it to gift myself, my mom, plus some of my writer besties — as we’ve all spent the better part of our lives typing for a living to our wrists’ dissatisfaction. 😬

“I’ve shared my love for hand massagers before, along with my struggles with carpal tunnel in my wrists, and they offer such sweet, sweet relief,” Aronson writes.

“My husband and I actually own two. Available in black or white and currently 19% off, the massager has adjustable intensity and massage modes, plus heat and acupuncture rings for even more relief. It’s from Lifepro, a brand that specializes in wellness and recovery products. And while we’re on the subject, I can’t help but point out that the brand also has a red light sauna for a whopping $1,000 off.“

Promising review: "The intensity level is perfect, and it’s highly effective. The size, durability, noise level, and comfort are all excellent. I often fall asleep with it on my hand. Every aspect works great for me, making it a must-have for anyone needing hand relief." — Monique Corley