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You survived the holidays, and now you’re holding the most powerful post-season artifact: an Amazon gift card. Instead of spending it on a random pile of impulse buys, put it toward upgrades that make your home cleaner, cozier, and easier to live in. If you didn’t get what you wanted under the tree, now is the time to get it for yourself.
Editor’s picks
For the person who’s tired of living on a crumb-and-dust planet
Shark Robot Vacuum & Mop PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro $699.99 (42% off)
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A vacuum-and-mop robot is the closest thing to hiring a tiny, tireless housekeeper. Set a schedule, let it do laps while you’re doing literally anything else, and enjoy the weird luxury of clean floors without the whole “I should really vacuum” guilt spiral.
For the person who wants café drinks without the daily $8 expenditure
Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine LatteGo $397.99 (39% off)
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Fully automatic machines are built for people who want espresso-based drinks with minimal fuss. If you make lattes, cappuccinos, or other typically expensive drinks at home even a few times a week, this is the kind of upgrade that pays you back in saved time (and fewer cardboard cups).
For the person who’s ready to graduate from hand-mixing like it’s 1897
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer Pistachio $349.95 (30% off)
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A stand mixer is a kitchen multiplier: bread dough, cookie dough, whipped cream, weeknight shredding chicken. It opens up entire genres of cooking you can’t do easily without one. The 5-quart size is big enough to feel serious without taking over the counter forever.
Kitchen upgrades
If your home runs on snacks, coffee, and “I guess we’re cooking,” this is where your gift card should go first.
Stand mixer & baking
Countertop cooking
Coffee & espresso
Cookware
Kitchen tools & prep
Cleaning upgrades
Upgrading how you clean is the most boring purchase that delivers the most immediate happiness. You’ll notice it the next day.
Robot vacuums & mops
Vacuums & floor care
Bedroom refresh
A few bedding swaps can make your bed feel brand new—without committing to a whole mattress situation.
Home office & furniture
If you work, game, craft, or doomscroll at home, your furniture is either helping you—or quietly sabotaging you.
Home vibe
Sometimes the best home upgrade is simply making the place smell like you have your life together.
Personal care
Not strictly “home improvement,” but definitely “life at home improvement.”
Bonus: gear & tech
These aren’t all home products, but they make home life better—music, workouts, comfy layers, and a couple of practical add-ons.
2025 PopSci Outdoor Gift Guide
