We have been putting together our annual “Favorite Things” post for 18 years now—a roundup of everyday favorites and special treats that made our year memorable. It’s one of our very favorite posts to write, and from what we hear, it’s one of your favorites to read too!
This tradition gives us a chance to pause and reflect upon the little joys, useful finds, and surprising discoveries that brightened our days—and sharing them with all of you has become something we look forward to!
This year, our kids Layla (a college senior), Leo (a high school senior), and Mia (a high school freshmen) are back to share their favorites, and our 6-year-old cockapoo Goji, never misses a chance to join in with the pack!
Debbie’s Favorite Things
1. Air Plant Hanger. I love air plants, and we have a few around our home. I wanted something simple and decorative for a small wall in our newly remodeled bathroom, and this Braid & Wood Air Plant V-Hanger looks great in our space! We have the Dark and Stormy, and I gifted the Classic Shimmer to a friend for her home office. >> Use this link and the code mindful-bw-10 to save 10% of your Braid & Wood purchase!
2. Organic Cotton Clothing. I’ve loved Pact Clothing for many years, especially their dresses and skirts, and I buy at least one or two each season. I love that they’re a local company that values sustainability — plus their colors and patterns fit my style! And who knew that I’d start my modeling career at 48 years old? Just kidding! But this year, I did some “size-fit modeling” for Pact while they were considering expanding their XXS line. It was great fun with great women! >> Use this link to save 15% of your Pact Clothing purchase!
3. Mind Your Body*. Over the past six years, I’ve been deeply immersed in learning about the nervous system and how it influences nearly every aspect of our health. Mind-body medicine has truly reshaped the way I understand healing. Mind Your Body by Nicole Sachs offers a thoughtful exploration of this mind-body connection through her JournalSpeak method, an approach designed to help those working through physical symptoms with emotional roots. More of my favorite books on this topic are listed in this blog post.
4. Comedy Meets Magic*. Our family has loved Justin Willman since his first Netflix special, Magic for Humans, when our kids were younger. His newest special, Magic Lover, did not disappoint! I’ve watched it twice, and both times found his combination of magic and comedy captivating, funny, and heartwarming. Everyone I’ve recommended it to has loved it, and it’s one of those rare shows that’s truly enjoyable for all ages. We’ll be seeing him live for my birthday this winter!
5. Ceramic Lamp. After 25 years of living in Boulder, we (and some neighbors) experienced a break-in this summer—quite an ungrounding experience! When Roy had to leave town for two weeks soon after, I was still a bit unsettled and began sleeping with a light on for comfort. This prompted me to purchase a decorative lamp that we could keep dimly lit in the main area of our home, and it is as beautiful as it is functional. We chose the Ariadne style, but it comes in several lovely options.
6. Cabinet Organizer. When we remodeled our kitchen over 15 years ago, we quickly realized we should have added drawers in a few key cabinets. Deep shelves made it hard to reach things in the back without unloading the front. Enter these expandable pull-out cabinet organizers—such a simple yet transformative solution! They mount easily and glide smoothly, turning awkward spaces into organized, accessible drawers. One of those practical upgrades that has made daily life a little easier, even if we had to wait 15 years!
7. Tea Canisters. I mentioned last year that I was rekindling my relationship with loose leaf teas. For my birthday, Mia gifted me a few of these Japanese tea canisters and I love them!! I now have seven in my collection, of various sizes and patterns. The tin keeps my tea airtight and fresh and the beautiful washi paper designs are so gorgeous, I love having them on display.
8. Hair Catcher. All three of our kids inherited Roy’s thick, curly hair—although you’d never guess it looking at him! This TubShroom fits inside most shower drains, neatly collecting hair around it and keeping drains clog-free. Not the most glamorous favorite, but definitely one of the more practical ones of the year!
Dr. Roy’s Favorite Things
1. The Doctor is in…the Band*. Music, and specifically playing guitar, is one of my biggest passions. I’ve never been very interested in learning other people’s music and from the beginning I started writing my own. This year, my rock band Where There’s Smoke released our first full-length all original album, There’s Fire, and honestly, it’s been a true labor of love. Making music with these guys (Peter Stelling and Jim Ruberto) doesn’t just feel like being in a band. It’s more like part men’s group, part brothers, and part creative family. We’ve been told that There’s Fire feels like a cross between blues influenced rock, 90 grunge, a hint of southern drawn slide guitar with a dash of pop sensibility. Give it a listen on Spotify or Apple to see another side of your multifaceted pediatrician!
2. The Best 70’s Band that Never Was*. My taste in music has evolved and really expanded to most styles over the years, but my first love was good old rock ’n’ roll from the late ’60s and ’70s including bands like Led Zeppelin, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, and Bad Company. So, when Daisy Jones & The Six came out on Prime Video, a series about a fictional 1970s rock band told documentary-style as they look back on the dramatic rise and unraveling of their career, I was instantly hooked. The original music made for this fictional band is terrific. If you loved the movie Almost Famous you will be hooked on Daisy Jones as well.
3. Best Bike Pump. I love gear in general, but especially when someone takes a product and improves it so dramatically that it makes things simpler. The LEZYNE Micro Floor Drive High Pressure & High Volume Bike Pump is one of those rare upgrades. Feather-light, durable, and incredibly easy to operate, it’s like carrying a mini floor pump in my backpack. It’s so effective that I completely stopped carrying CO2 cartridges. I’ve even used it to pump up my massive 4-inch fat bike tires in a pinch.
4. Sweet Sauce. I discovered Grama’s Sweet Chili Sauce last year, and it’s quickly become a staple in our kitchen. I love sweet flavors with just a hint of spice, and this sauce hits that balance perfectly. Tangy, sweet, and lightly spicy. I drizzle it over air-fried Brussels sprouts, mix it into rice, and even use it as a glaze for salmon. It’s simple, versatile, and turns even the simplest meals into something great.
5. Quiet Comfort. For the past two years, I’ve been dealing with significant dry eyes at night so keeping our bedroom humidified has been really helpful. In the past, humidifiers were a headache because they are hard to clean, noisy, and tricky to refill. That all changed about six months ago when I discovered the Provirtec MistFree Evaporative Humidifier HC‑13. It’s whisper-quiet, easy to fill, and has an open bucket-style design that lets me clean every nook and cranny with a simple sponge. The filter is machine washable, and all the lights turn off at night, so it doesn’t disturb our sleep. We love it so much that we now have two of them. >> Use code MINDFUL13 for an additional 10% off through 1.14.26 (apply code at Amazon checkout under “use a gift card, voucher, or promo code”)
6. Windproof Glasses. I’ve been an avid mountain biker for over 35 years, but once dry eyes became a real issue, I needed a comfortable solution to keep wind and dust out. I tried a bunch of different products, but none felt comfortable (or actually worked well) until I discovered 7eye glasses. I haven’t been on a single mountain bike ride without them since. They’re incredibly comfortable, and while I love this particular frame shape, they make a wide variety of styles and lenses to fit different size faces and tastes. I also wear them on hikes and family walks when it’s windy, and they make being outside far more enjoyable.
7. Happy Hydrated Eyes. Like I mentioned before, I’ve been struggling with dry eyes, especially at night and during windy mountain bike rides. I’ve tried almost every eye drop on the market, and even many of the preservative-free options eventually irritated my eyes. My ophthalmologist recommended Biotrue Hydration Lubricant Eye Drops, and they’ve been a game-changer. They feel incredibly light, provide long-lasting lubrication, and don’t sting or irritate my eyes. I mostly use them at night when I wake up with dryness, and occasionally during a windy ride, and they keep my eyes feeling comfortable and happy.
8. A True Dry Eye Specialist. My dry eyes had gotten so severe that I couldn’t make it through the night without my eyeballs sticking to my eyelids. To say it was horrible is an understatement. I’d seen well meaning ophthalmologists before who said they had experience with dry eyes, but it wasn’t until I started seeing Dr. Lauren Zimski that I finally got real relief. She’s incredibly kind, thoughtful, and attentive, with expertise, training, and specialized equipment to truly treat dry eye disease. After a thorough evaluation, she diagnosed the problem quickly and accurately, and we began treatments with IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy. I’m not gonna lie, IPL feel like you’re getting smacked in the eyelids with a hot soldering iron, but even after just two of the four treatments, my dry eyes were more than 50% better. Once I completed the 4 sessions my symptoms are 85–90% improved. Dr. Zimski has been life-changing, and I couldn’t recommend her more highly.
Layla’s Favorite Things
1. My YETI. This cup has basically become an emotional support water bottle. It’s huge, keeps my water cold all day, and the real miracle is that I haven’t lost it yet. Mine is covered in stickers that my friends and I made together, so it feels like carrying around a little piece of all my favorite people. If you see me on campus, this cup is probably with me.
2. Laptop Lifesaver. I’m trying so hard to keep my computer alive for one last year of school, and this laptop case has basically become its body armor. I move quickly in between classes and I drop things constantly. I run around between labs and somehow this case has kept everything in one piece. Truly heroic.
3. Resistance Routine. After dealing with a small meniscal injury, staying consistent with physical therapy became a huge priority for me. These resistance bands are an essential part of my strength routine. They live in my backpack, my car, and my room and have helped me stay on top of my recovery and feel strong again.
4. Focus Friend. I’m always trying to spend less time on my phone, especially with MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) studying coming up, and this app has been a game-changer. When you start a study session, this Focus App basically “shuts down” your phone, and you build a little room for your bean (yes… a bean). The longer you stay focused, the more furniture and decorations you earn. It’s adorable and weirdly motivating.
Leo’s Favorite Things
1. Awesome Autobiography*. I don’t always enjoy reading, but Matthew McConaughey’s autobiography Greenlights was genuinely a great read. The book follows McConaughey through different moments in his life and how his perspective evolves along the way. What really sets it apart from other autobiographies are the poems and excerpts that give the book real depth and personality. I even annotated moments that stood out to me, and one of my favorite quotes is: “I believe the truth is only offensive when we’re lying.” It’s a meaningful read, especially for someone about to head off to college and start a new chapter in life. P.S. Listen to the audiobook! McConaughey narrates it himself and does an amazing job.
2. Birks. For a while, I wore my Crocs almost every day in the summer because they were super convenient and comfortable. But since I’m heading off to college soon, I figured it was time for a slightly more mature and stylish look. That’s where the Birkenstock Arizona comes in. They’re just as comfortable and easy to slip on as Crocs but look a lot better. I wore them almost every day this past summer, and honestly, I don’t think I’ll be going back to the Crocs anytime soon. (Sorry Crocs, I know you are a Boulder company!)
3. Ski Mitt. As someone who loves to ski, it’s important to find gear that works well and I love Kinco gloves. They are super warm and comfortable and very reasonably priced compared to other glove companies.
4. There’s Fire*. Almost every year I include an album I’ve been listening to, and this year it’s There’s Fire, the debut album by Where There’s Smoke. It’s an action-packed rock record with blues influences and a ton of great songs. My personal favorite is “Bring What You Got,” but honestly, the whole album is solid. And yes, this IS my dad’s band, but I truly wouldn’t have recommended it if I didn’t love it. Definitely worth a listen on Spotify or Apple .
Mia’s Favorite Things
1. Sweet and Spicy. I love tea. Hot in the winter, cold in the summer, it’s a great drink year round. Over the past few years, I have started to love chai and it quickly became my favorite beverage. This Good Earth Sweet & Spicy tea tastes just like chai (although it technically isn’t) and is absolutely delicious. I usually make it iced with some almond milk, but it is delicious any way you prepare it.
2. Perfect Pink Headphones. Sometimes I just want to zone out, listen to music, and tune out everything else. I love these JBL headphones because they let me do exactly that. They connect easily to all my devices every time and are perfect for music or audiobooks. While they’re not fully noise-canceling, they block out just enough sound so I can hear clearly without feeling completely cut off from the world, preventing the feeling of being in an audio bubble.
3. Looking for Love*. I enjoy romance books, but they often feel so unrealistic with how quickly the characters fall in love. In Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love by Marianne Cronin, that’s definitely not the case. Eddie is a 90-year-old man who works at a charity shop. He is a true gentleman who’s lived a full life but has never been kissed. Jumping between now and the past, a romance decades in the making unfolds before your eyes. This witty romance is a heartwarming tale and one of my favorite books.
4. Cozy Sweats. It’s a well-known fact that women’s clothing has needlessly small pockets, so I’m always on the lookout for pants with ones that actually work. These sweatpants are not only incredibly comfortable and super cute, but they also have huge pockets! They come in a variety of colors, are well made, and have quickly become my favorite pair of pants. Especially when I wear them with my favorite cozy boots.
Goji’s Favorite Things
1. Tilted Dog Bowls. Since my mom specializes in GI conditions, she bought me these ergonomic dog bowls to make eating easier and reduce my risk of bloat or indigestion. The truth is, I eat so fast that I barely taste my food — but hey, it was a nice sentiment!
2. Grooming Wipes. I’m an active pup who loves adventure! We hike often, and if there’s water nearby, I’m the first to jump in. I’m also a big snuggler — I love curling up on the couch with my family and crawling into bed with Mom and Dad each night. These all-natural wipes, made with aloe, shea butter, chamomile, and cucumber, keep me fresh between the weekly “spa day” my dad gives me.
3. Socks that Stay-Put. I don’t know if it’s fair to say that I like these socks (I like licking my paws!), but they do stay on my feet with their clever Velcro and snap design. If I have to wear socks, at least these give me good traction so I’m not sliding all over our wood floors, which makes everyone chuckle!
If you made it to the end, thank you for sharing in our Favorite Things from 2025!
You know what makes this tradition even more fun? Hearing from you! Please tell us—what were your favorite finds of the year? Or are you planning to try any of ours? Drop your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below!
Curious about past favorites? You can explore all our Favorite Things, year by year.
Happy holidays, from our family to yours!
*Parents: As always, please preview any music, podcast, book, or movie to ensure it’s suitable for your family.
