The holiday chaos has finally settled, which means it’s time to tackle another important aspect of the gifting process: What do you do with the gift cards you just received for Christmas? If yours are through Amazon, the options for what to buy next are virtually limitless, as the retailer offers thousands of products across almost every shopping category. In fact, the only real boundary is your card’s total spending limit.
To help you make the most of your Amazon gift cards this year, we put together this list of things worth grabbing now, including cast-iron skillets, wireless earbuds, and other big-ticket items you might normally be hesitant to splurge on otherwise. Because ultimately, that’s the upside of getting a gift card: Even if no one gives you exactly what you want for Christmas, you still have a chance to get it for yourself by the new year. Below are some of our favorite items to consider grabbing before that gift card burns a hole in your pocket.
If you’re all about nostalgic vibes, then you’ll probably appreciate this Victrola record player. While the three-speed turntable may be the main attraction of this retro-style device, its capabilities go way beyond that. This 6-in-1 device is also a wireless Bluetooth speaker and includes a CD player, FM radio, cassette player, and an AUX input for all your other music-loving needs.
Buy it: Amazon
If you’re a coffee lover, you absolutely can’t go wrong with a Nespresso machine. With so many flavor capsules to choose from, you’ll be able to find the combination of your dreams. The machine makes coffee and espresso in several sizes: 5-, 8-, and 18-ounce coffees, and both single and double espressos. The “revolutionary one-touch brewing system” utilizes barcode-scanning technology to guarantee the perfect brew in every single cup. This bundle comes with an Aeroccino for milk frothing, but you can totally skip it if your Amazon gift card won’t cover the bundle (though think of the lattes you’ll be missing). And while you’re there, grab a bottle of Monin lavender syrup for your first brew—it’s life-changing.
Buy it: Amazon
You don’t have to be a coffee snob to know what you like. Available in three- and six-month plan options, this coffee subscription from Driftaway will help you figure out what you really enjoy. After receiving your first delivery of four different kinds of beans—each of which is freshly roasted, seasonal, and sustainable single origin—you can visit the website to make note of which brews you preferred and why. The company uses that information to then further select which blends it sends to you in the future, hence the “customized” subscription. You can also choose the size and frequency of each subsequent delivery.
Buy it: Amazon
If you prefer a cuppa (tea, not coffee) then consider spending your gift card bounty on this classic tea set, which serves up to six. The pumpkin-shaped pot is made of beautiful porcelain, plus it’s dishwasher safe and holds around 28 ounces of liquid. It even comes with a removable stainless-steel infuser, which makes it perfect for loose-leaf and blooming teas. A sugar bowl, cream pitcher, and teaspoons are also included, for a total of 22 pieces. If you’re a color enthusiast, you’ll appreciate that you can choose from 10 different hues.
Buy it: Amazon
The winter months bring cozy nights and cuffing season, but they also bring seasonal affective disorder—a.k.a., SAD. If the shorter days and decreased sunlight have been messing with your mood, then consider a sun lamp. This Wake-Up Light sunrise alarm clock is a less expensive version of the Philips SmartSleep wake-up light, which usually retails for $100. But you’re getting virtually the same thing here (and at a significant discount). This model offers seven colors, adjustable brightness, FM radio, and, of course, an alarm. As the alarm goes off, the lamp lights up, simulating the rising sun and offering you a bright start to your day. It also doubles as a night light and plays up to seven nature sounds.
Buy it: Amazon
Wireless earbuds are everywhere because they’re wonderful. If you’ve got the gift card budget for it and you need a new pair, grab the Beats Studio Buds. These buds work with both iOS and Android devices and offer up to eight hours of playback time off a single charge. They also are sweat- and water-resistant; come with three soft ear-tips to ensure you find your perfect fit; and offer crisp call quality and voice-assistant interaction. You also have Active Noise Canceling (ANC) and Transparency modes for those moments you want to tune out the world around you. While Beats Studio Buds are technically from Apple, if you’d prefer to stay rooted in the ecosystem then there is always the AirPods lineup, too.
Buy them: Beats Studio Buds; Apple AirPods Pro
No kitchen is complete without a cast-iron skillet, and if you can then you should absolutely splurge on one from Le Creuset. This heavyweight fry pan requires very little oil, which makes it an excellent choice for healthier cooking. The brand boasts that its enamel cast-iron skillet will heat evenly and resists stains and color fade. It also comes seasoned and ready to use right out of the box, so it’s a great choice for cast-iron cooking novices. Plus, you can choose from four different sizes (from 6.3 to 11.75 inches) and 10 colors.
Buy it: Amazon
You may have seen countless tarot readers on Twitter or TikTok, and maybe you’ve been wanting to learn more. Do some research, learn about the origins of tarot, then pick up your first pack. A tarot deck consists of 78 cards with images used as a tool for introspection. The Modern Witch Tarot Deck is brought to you by acclaimed artist Lisa Sterle, who takes “these symbols into contemporary life with vibrant art that celebrates the diversity, excitement, and energy of the new kind of magic that is happening in this world.” The Modern Witch Tarot Deck may bring answers to your questions about your past, present, and whatever else 2023 might have in store for you. Additionally, if you’d prefer a more pop culture-centric deck, this Garbage Pail Kids set could be a fun selection.
Buy Them: The Modern Witch Tarot Deck; Garbage Pail Kids Tarot Deck
Listen, life gets busy and sometimes, you only have time for one glass of wine. But what if you had a glass that fits an entire bottle? That’s where the XL wine glass comes in: It’s dishwasher safe, made of hand-blown glass, and, best of all, it’s cheap enough for you to get one for you and everyone in your squad.
Buy it: Amazon
“revolutionary one-touch brewing system”
If you’re anything like us, one of your favorite ways to spoil yourself is by buying a handful of new books to add to your TBR pile. Maybe you’ve vowed to spend 2023 devouring all the so-called “classics” you haven’t gotten around to yet, or want to dive into the modern classics you may have missed. Maybe you just have a list of new books you’re dying to read. For us, that definitely includes Natasha Lance Rogoff’s Muppets in Moscow, in which the award-winning producer recounts the once-in-a-lifetime experience of making Ulitsa Sezam, Russia’s version of Sesame Street. There is also Mental Floss’ own “Curious” series, which includes The Curious Movie Buff (from $11), The Curious Reader (from $12), and The Curious Viewer (from $10). Whatever your specific interest, there are undoubtedly dozens—if not hundreds—of book just waiting to be devoured.
A version of this article was originally published in 2021 and has been updated for 2022.
Stephanie Barnes
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