Andrew's 2024 Holiday Gift Guide

Cool tech, software, apparel, and items for your health, home, and hobbies to buy.

Hello from Chicago. It’s freezing here!

Hopefully, you haven’t done all your holiday shopping yet because I’m sharing my first-ever annual gift guide with all the gadgets, software, and stuff I love and recommend.

Each section is ranked in order of my favorite items. I am not affiliated with any of these products and do not make any money off your purchases here.

Happy shopping!

P.S. Check out my swag store with items that carry an important message we need to remind ourselves and the people around us of.

Tech & Software:

1. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95: These are the Lamborghini’s of headphones, the most beautifully designed product I own. Absurdly expensive, but nothing comes close to the music-listening experience of putting these on to unplug from the outside world.

   

2. Endel App: A magical app that I use daily for soundscapes to focus, relax, and unwind. I can easily get a 4+ hour uninterrupted, deep-work session in with the soothing soundscapes.

3. Anker 644 Magnetic Battery: Never run out of juice again. These have enough power to charge your phone 2-3 times, and I own three of these to carry one everywhere I go.

4. Grammarly Pro: The most straightforward way I’ve improved my writing on emails, blog posts, social media posts, etc. No brainer at $12/month.

5. Edifier S2000MKIII Bookshelf 2.0 Speakers: Strongly believe these are the best speakers you can get at the sub-$500 price point. They are compatible with Bluetooth as well as the standard audio systems, delivering outstanding sound that can fill a medium-sized living area.

   

6. ViewSonic 15.6 Inch Portable Monitor: A second monitor will almost double your productivity. I’ve found this to be the best high-quality, portable monitor that can be carried around easily.

7. Anker MagGo Phone Station: A simple magnetic phone stand that everyone should have on their desks.

8. Logitech MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse: The best wireless mouse on the market. Beautifully designed, durable (I’ve had mine for many years), and practical.

   

Health & Wellness:

1. LMNT Electrolytes: Hands down the best-tasting electrolytes on the market. Personally, I love the Mango Chili flavor and use at least one pack a day to stay hydrated.

   

2. Portal Sleep: Improves your sleep by 10-20%. Taking a scoop a day has improved my deep and REM sleep significantly, as shown by my Oura Ring, and I wake up feeling more refreshed and well-rested. Kinda insane how a single scoop of this magical powder can impact your sleep so much.

   

3. Othership App or Othership IRL (Toronto & NYC Only): The in-person experience in New York and Toronto is the most unique social sauna and ice plunge wellness experience I’ve been to. I’ve gone a few dozen times, and every time I leave feeling refreshed, energized, and present. The Othership app serves a similar purpose and has a variety of breathwork playlists and meditation sounds. Highly recommend it for anxious high-performers who need to chill out ;)

   

4. Magic Mind: A single juice shot that gives you a full day of jitter-free focus and a good mood without a comedown.

   

5. Oura Ring 4: Tracks your physical metrics relating to sleep, physical activity, and general health. I’ve had the Oura Ring for four years now and even upgraded multiple times, and it’s led to me quitting drinking, sleeping earlier, and exercising more. Once you see the immediate physical impacts of healthy activities, it motivates you to do more of them. Worth every penny.

Home:

1. roborock Q5 Max+ Robot Vacuum: A robot vacuum that will map your living space, vacuum it, and empty the trash without any trouble. Saves me at least an hour every week.

   

2. Casper Glow Light: A nice-looking, portable lamp that you can use as a night light, reading light, or decor lamp. Charges wirelessly and has an app you can use modify the lighting and timing. I own two of these and love moving them around my apartment depending on where I need light.

   

3. MAC Knife Professional Series 8" Chef's Knife: The most underrated thing (yet the most important tool) for any kitchen - a chef’s knife. I use this for everything.

4. We’re Not Really Strangers Card Game + Hoodies: An intimate card game to bring people together. Great for couples too. Warning: It can get pretty deep.

5. Homesick Candles: My favorite candles that also double as excellent gifts. They make candles with different scents for different cities (e.g., New York City), moods, and themes. Long burn time too.

   

6. Le Labo Hinoki Shower Gel: Fanciest body wash I’ve used. They have this at the high-end gym I go to, and it’s an absolute delight. Makes you want to shower more.

   

7. Aesop Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash: Amazing hand soap that leaves a pleasant lingering scent on your hand afterward. There was a time when I’d slap myself for buying $40 hand soap, but this was worth every penny.

8. Ironwood Gourmet Charleston End Grain Chef's Board: The best cutting board on the market.

9. INTASTING Gooseneck Electric Kettle: A polished, elegant, and modern-looking kettle. Heats water to the exact temperature you want.

   

10. Lotus Atelier Orange Mushroom Lamp: An accessory lamp that makes any living room look 100x cooler. See below.

    

11. Square Trade Goods Co Smoked Dig Room Spray: Makes your living room smell like heaven.

Apparel & Style:

1. Troubadour Daytripper Carry All Tote Bag: A stylish, multi-purpose nylon briefcase that fits everything you need on a daily basis. I’ve received many compliments.

   

2. Cole Haan Men's ØriginalGrand Waterproof Chelsea Boots: Water and snow-resistant, durable, and good-looking Chelsea boots that make it feel like you’re walking on clouds. I could run five miles in these.

3. COS Men’s Cotton T-Shirts: The finest basic t-shirts for men with a soft, luxurious feel that’s irresistible to the touch.

   

4. Rhone Tribeca Tech Jogger: A solid pair of joggers that has lasted me years without losing quality.

5. Lo & Sons Hakuba Backpack: An all-purpose backpack that can fit everything you need and more. I can fit a basketball, a pair of shoes, laptops, and a week’s worth of clothes in here.

   

Things I Don’t Have (But Look Cool)

1. Vestaboard: An extremely expensive piece of sophisticated wall art at $3,000, but perhaps I’ll splurge on this one day. A friend has one and it’s great for amusing guests.

   

2. Elgato Stream Deck Neo: A separate customizable shortcut keyboard. Not sure what I’d use it for yet but it seems useful for those who run live virtual events,

   

3. Sushi Go Party: A card game that I can play for hours. A ton of fun!

4. Heath Display: As a calendar nerd, I can totally geek out on this.

   

5. Aura Carver Mat Frame: Always keep your loved ones within your line of sight.

   

6. AeroPress Coffee Maker: Have only heard excellent reviews for this product. Costs $50 but apparently makes delicious coffee similar to that of a $500 machine.

   

📌 Andrew’s Bookmarks

My top picks from the internet this week.

• Beauty Is in the Algorithm of the Beholder – Ozempic, the Snob Effect, and Shifting Societal Beauty Standards - an excellent analysis by Rex Woodbury.

• How to write viral tweets with the man who beat the X algorithm – A discussion between two prolific posters on X on how to go viral. It’s less obvious than you think!

• Invisible duels – How to ignore the noise of hidden competition in everyday life.

🖼️ Behind the Scenes

I’m visiting Chicago for the first time this week, and the concrete architecture, along with the narrow strips of greenery tucked between buildings, feels oddly reminiscent of Toronto, where I lived for a few years.

I made the trip out because of a small personal angel investment I made in Pie, a social app started by Bonobos founder Andy Dunn. He’s become a new friend, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to hang with the Pie team and jam on ideas.

More on this soon, but I love traveling the world to meet and learn from extraordinary people while contributing in a small way. Looking forward to more in 2025, hopefully!

At the Navy Piers in Chicago