Favourite Things 2025
I recently hosted my third annual “Favourite Things” party with a group of girlfriends. It’s a simple gathering where we come together to share a few favourite items from the past year; everything from skincare and travel essentials to cleaning supplies and snacks.
Everyone brings a selection of items, with the budget being $40 and does a bit of a show and tell, sharing what they’ve included and why they’ve loved it. Then, White Elephant style, we all get to choose (and sometimes steal) a set of items we want to take home for ourselves. This has been such a fun way to get into the holiday season; connecting with friends and celebrating the little things that brought comfort, joy or usefulness to our everyday lives. Keeping the budget at $40 means the items are truly accessible, everyday things that you could realistically add to your own life and routine (pro tip: a part of your show and tell is sharing where to find a good sale on your choices.)
Here’s what I shared this year…
Sephora Lip Stain
Buy it half price at annual sale. It’s a creamy, non-sticky stain that lasts for hours and comes in an impressive range of shades. It’s been my go to lip colour for a couple of years now and I stock up when it’s only $11 during sales near National Lipstick Day in July.
Champagne Topper
This little tool keeps your sparkling bubbly! Perfect for those times when you just want one glass without wasting the bottle. Bubbles don’t have to be saved for big celebrations, enjoy them whenever you want!
Wristlet Strap for Phone
While preparing to travel this past year, I read quite a bit about phones getting stolen, especially from tourists taking photos or using maps. I decided to order a strap as precaution, not entirely sure how necessary it would be, until I saw someone actually have their phone swiped right out of their hand. Beyond the concern for theft, I found the strap added a sense of security and ease when taking photos or navigating directions. Having my phone secured to my wrist gave me a small but meaningful sense of confidence. I found this one on Amazon; it comes in a two-pack with various colour options. You’ll also need a small attachment tab that fits inside your phone case.
Cloudberry Gin
This one is a bit more niche. It’s a wonderful gin distilled in Clarke’s Beach, Newfoundland. I have a lifetime love of cloudberries (or bakeapples as I know them.) They’re orange and are denser and fluffier than a raspberry and smaller than a blackberry. When ripe, bakeapples are sweet with a hint of tartness and make an excellent dessert topping. I grew up with these being picked fresh and bottled for me by my Grandparents, so, when I discovered that The Newfoundland Distillery Co. had created a gin using this childhood favourite, I had to try it. On their website, the distillery writes “this gin is full of juniper and cloudberry (bakeapple) picked from the wilds of Placentia Bay, with a little savory from Mt Scio. We've tried to keep if very pure and simple using only local botanicals. This one is a little fruity, the cloudberries giving it a few citrus notes which balance out the juniper.” I included it this year, not only because it’s delicious but because it allowed me to share a little taste of my home and nostalgia.
ChocXo Dark Chocolate Lemon Cups
Need I say more? The name alone tells you everything you need to know. The dark chocolate is just bitter enough and pairs perfectly with the tangy lemon filling. It’s the perfect little bite, especially in the evenings when I want to satisfy my “sweet tooth” that doesn’t actually like sweet!
Grenade Salted Caramel Protein Bar
I’ve long struggled to find a protein bar that doesn’t taste chalky or feel impossibly dense and sticky. Determined to find a better option for quick snacks between errands or workouts, I finally landed on this one. The flavour is chocolatey without being overly sweet, and the texture feels much closer to a real chocolate bar. With 20g of protein and only 1.2g of sugar, it’s an easy favourite.
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This event is fun, not only because it brings together people I care about, but because it invites reflection on what products have contributed to my day to day in a noticeable way. There’s so much joy in sharing the small, non-extravagant items that genuinely make life a little better with others.