Treat yourself? That’s the big question. After the pandemic’s e-commerce boom, big spender expectations for this holiday season began to sour like spoiled eggnog when inflation entered the chat and the labor market softened. For many American consumers, smashing that “add to cart” button on luxury goods can feel more naughty than nice these days. Sure, TikTok users have been swayed by “de-influencing” and there’s a strong sense of fatigue from endless product drops in saturated markets, but can we still feel merry about a quality purchase?

While some researchers are quick to focus on the starry-eyed consumer with impulsive shopping habits, other studies have found experiential purchases to have longer lasting rewards. However, consumer psychologist Dr. Cathrine Jansson-Boyd explains there’s no consistency in research regarding substantial happiness and shopping, but that “we tend to feel happier about our purchases when we have researched them for a longer time period.”

This research Jansson-Boyd refers to can vary; a deep dive on a shiny new gadget can take countless hours of scrolling for information online, yet the purchase of a luxury food item of interest — say chocolate or coffee — can be a more instantaneous decision because the research has been built up naturally over time. A deep dive through Reddit posts show users align with Jansson-Boyd’s view that the value of an item is not based on its longevity, as splurge-worthy wishlists run the gamut from fancy perishables to smart appliances that make mundane tasks easier.

So, how do you know you found your happy purchase? Make sure to take a step back, reflect on whether it’s something you really want, and if it aligns with personal interests that bring you joy. To get you in the holly, jolly spirit of mindfully indulging, here are a few of our favorite finds we researched that might bring you some holiday cheer.

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Ember Travel Mug 2+

$159.99 $199.99 20% off

Buy Now at amazon

Ember’s smart mugs have been a hit year after year with consumers who like their morning beverages at just the right temperature. Now, you can purchase the brand’s largest stainless-steel travel mug that’s been upgraded with a more advanced chip for easy Bluetooth pairing and connectivity. If you’re going to splurge on the most delectable coffee roasts, how could you resist a vessel that ensures your brew meets your high expectations with every single sip?

Price upon publish date of this article: $159.99

Brunello Cucinelli Pour Femme, from Euroitalia

$210

Buy Now at saks fifth avenue

A fragrance can be thought of as an extension of your style — even your personality. Invest in the luxury aroma of Brunello Cucinelli Pour Femme. Created by celebrated perfumer Daphné Bugey, this effortlessly elegant scent features high-quality citrus notes of bergamot, mandarin, and orange blossom with a dose of pink pepper to compliment the woody and earthy notes of chestnut, cedar, vetiver, and musk. It’s as timeless as the brand’s coveted cashmere knitwear.

Price upon publish date of this article: $210

Purple Plus Mattress

$1,599 $1,899 16% off

Buy Now at purple

One of the ultimate investments you can make for your health and wellbeing is an outstanding luxury mattress to improve your sleep quality. A patented form of cushioning, the GelFlex Grid, is unique to Purple mattresses — this technology helps to relieve pressure and provide essential support, all while feeling cloud like when you tuck yourself in. On top of this material, the Purple Plus Mattress is also layered with three types of foam for ultimate comfort and sound sleep.

Price upon publish date of this article: $1,599

Solo Stove Mesa

$89.99

Buy Now at solo stove

A product that has an experiential component can be thought as more than a simple splurge. With the Solo Mesa smokeless tabletop fire pit, you and your loved ones will make countless memories roasting marshmallows or simply cuddling outdoors this winter by the fire.

Price upon publish date of this article: $89.99

Cozy Earth Cuddle Blanket

$430

Buy Now at Cozy Earth

The luxurious touch of an ultra-plush, faux fur oversized throw blanket is key to making the most of your rest and relaxation time at home. Cozy Earth’s machine washable Cuddle Blanket is a popular choice as an attractive home accent that delivers incredible coziness for two.

Price upon publish date of this article: $430

Plunge All In

$8,990

Buy Now at plunge

Take the plunge and purchase a quality cold tub with a roomy interior, advanced cooling system, and smartphone connectivity to optimize your wellness ritual. There’s no setup required, it has ozone sanitation and a 20-micron filter for easy maintenance, and it’s built to last through all types of seasonal weather. The benefits you’ll reap from cold plunging include faster muscle recovery, better quality of sleep, and a strengthened immune system.

Price upon publish date of this article: $8,990

Trudon Astral Gabriel Great Candle

$750

Buy Now at moda operandi

If you have a strong desire to treat yourself to an extravagant, luxury candle, we say go big. Trudon — the storied, 380-year-old French brand that produced candles for the palace of Versailles — is known for its masterful, artisanal approach to producing quality scented candles in hand-crafted vessels that more than merit the high price tag. For the holiday season, Trudon gave their beloved Fir candle — which features notes of leather, Siberian pine and fir — the ultimate royal treatment with a design of chandeliers, pendants, and curtains that reflects the interior’s 24-carat gold leaf decoration. The 5-wick Great Candle size is inspired by champagne buckets, making it a fitting celebratory purchase.

Price upon publish date of this article: $750

Therabody SmartGoggles

$199

Buy Now at therabody

A good night’s rest is priceless. Therabody’s heated eye massager delivers customized treatments to improve your quality of sleep, soothe headaches, and more. The device’s SmartRelax mode, powered by SmartSense technology, is designed to reduce stress and anxiety, and when paired with Theramind through the brand’s app, this eye mask provides a fully immersive experience to lull you into a state of deep relaxation and slumber.

Price upon publish date of this article: $199

Sonos Move 2

$449

Buy Now at sonos

If entertainment is what you seek, the Sonos Move 2 might sound like music to your ears. The upgraded version of the brand’s popular, portable Bluetooth speaker model now delivers even more impressive audio for up to 24 hours per charge with automatic Trueplay tuning that assesses the acoustics around the device for the best listening experience.

Price upon publish date of this article: $449

Leica SOFORT 2

$399

Buy Now at Leica

Capture precious moments with the new, aesthetically-pleasing Leica SOFORT 2, a hybrid instant camera with the ability to print photos. By using the Leica FOTOS app, you can transfer images to your smartphone, as well as images from other Leica cameras to print from the SOFORT 2. Consider it your ideal companion for all the great adventures to come.

Price upon publish date of this article: $399

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Meet the Author

Adam Mansuroglu is the Director of Commerce for Footwear News and WWD, overseeing strategy for shopping content on both brands, along with writing and editing shopping guides, product reviews, and shopping trend stories across fashion, beauty, home and lifestyle product categories for men and women. Prior to his current role, Mansuroglu was a fashion editor and stylist at Cosmopolitan Magazine, Style Editor at BestProducts.com, and Senior Style and Gear Editor at Men’s Health Magazine. Mansuroglu has been tapped as a shopping expert for editorial websites such as Wirecutter, and his writing has also appeared in Out Magazine, Esquire and other publications.

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