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I can’t quite believe just how many amazing products I’ve tested this year – from kitchen essentials to mind-blowing beauty tech, there’s been a lot of genuinely new and innovative things to explore. I also can’t quite believe the year is nearly over, either.
I’ve been a professional product tester for around seven years now and my biggest focus has always been on kitchen, home and garden products. In that time, I really have seen a lot of average products but also a lot of good bits too.
Thankfully, the good tends to outweigh the bad, which is why I’ve rounded up my favourite tried and tested products of the year that I think would make the perfect Christmas presents for friends, family and partners.
A selection of the products I tested this year – not all made the cut
And with Black Friday in full swing, there’s never been a better time than now to find the perfect Christmas present.
Below you’ll find my top products picks across kitchen and home. Where possible, I’ve also linked up to further reviews so you can read even more about why they’re worthy of your attention.
The best gift-worthy home products – tried and tested
L’OR is, without a doubt, my favourite pod machine. Both this model, which I tested a few months back and the previous iteration are affordable and compatible with a huge range of Nespresso Original pods (and third party ones). They also take L’OR’s special XXL pods, which give you a double shot of espresso.
You can read more about why I love the L’OR Absolu in my full review. I’d also suggest looking at the L’Or Barista Sublime as it’s on offer right now for just £45.
An ideal present for someone who needs an upgrade from instant coffee.
I’m often dubious of cookware that has a celebrity chef’s face slapped on it but the hype for HexClad is very real. This pan is incredible to use. The non-stick is excellent yet metal utensil-safe and it’s oven-safe up to 480°C (lid 200). This is also dishwasher-safe but we’d always advise washing your good cookware by hand.
If you buy directly from HexCladyou can also get a lifetime guarantee on the product – though it’s not on offer there.
The perfect gift for the budding chef in your life.
For the cleaning-obsessed in your life. This compact cordless spot cleaner does a wonderful job of tackling pet stains, mud, food spills and more.
As well as being cordless, all of the bits from the box fit neatly into a compact caddy, which also doubles as a washing station for the cleaner. Amazing.
Read my full Shark StainForce spot cleaner review to find out more.
Got a crafty friend or family member in your life? This dinky little machine will definitely impress. It’s a digital cutting machine that lets you craft everything from vinyl stickers and cards to logos for t shirts, labels, mugs and more.
I’ve had one for years and I love making party decorations, christmas cards – I even used it to make logos for my friends shop. It’s fun, crafty and versatile. Oh and Stacey Solomon is a big fan too, if you needed any more convincing.
Another perfect tried and tested present for anyone on a budget. The Yeti rambler is one of my favourite flaks/travel cups.
It’s very stylish, keeps drinks hot for several hours and is compact enough to fit in your car too.
We love it so much, in fact, that the Rambler features in both our best flask guide and our best travel mug guide. Check them out for even more
I loved testing the new Velvetiser – and not just because it meant I got to drink lots of hot chocolate. The new model is such a nice upgrade on the previous one.
If you’ve been thinking about getting one for yourself or as a present, I’d definitely recommend shelling out for the newest model. It’s fast, makes perfectly frothed drinks and adds a cold chocolate setting to the mix – perfect for winter and summer.
Read my full Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser review for more reasons why I love it.
If you’re feeling particularly generous this year – can I introduce you to the Ooni Koda 2 as the perfect premium gift for the special person in your life.
This outdoor pizza oven is compact, easy to use, easy to set up and makes absolutely amazing pizza in just 60 seconds. With the right tools, you can also cook a whole host of other goodies in there.
Read my full Ooni Koda 2 review to see why it blew me away and why it’s worth every penny.
When is the best time to buy for Christmas?
I’m the sort of person who likes to pick things up throughout the year but if you’re more of an end of the year type of person, I think November is the best time to buy. With bundles of Black Friday offers on just about everything (we’re talking home, tech, fashion, jewellery, travel and homewares), it’s the best way to save money on presents – especially if you’ve been saving up throughout the year.
Alternatively, if you missed out on the Black Friday and happen to be seeing friends or family after Christmas, you can always wait until the Boxing Day sales to pick something up. It’s a bit cheeky, but I’ve done it before and you can sometimes find some decent offers.
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Published on: 2025-11-22 13:00:00
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
