Latest news with #NicoleLee
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A different kind of buzz: Choosing the sober life for Pride and beyond
For some, summer and Pride are synonymous with increased drinking and alcohol-fuelled partying; however, choosing a sober lifestyle is increasingly common. Nicole Lee discusses why. I love queer bars. I love meeting new people, squeezing around a table, and talking and laughing spontaneously. That first pint of the night used to feel so freeing, until it felt compulsory. Everyone's sobriety journey is different and layered with deeply personal factors. My drinking was never out of control. At my 'worst', I was only drinking two to three nights a week. But it felt like my social life revolved around alcohol, and I could feel the effects lingering in my body days later. Beginning with a 30-day sober stunt in May 2022, I gradually reduced my drinks down to five a week, and then five a month. In 2024, I had less than 20 drinks all year. I felt good about this amount, but if I'm being honest, I was torturing myself. Even though I was only averaging a couple drinks per month, I was thinking about alcohol constantly. At every social event, I agonised over whether a drink was worth it. I was doing mental gymnastics over a glass of wine, and it was exhausting. We tend to associate alcohol with rebellion, freedom, and uninhibited joy. When I spotted a coffee mug that said, 'sobriety delivers everything alcohol promised', it just clicked for me, I wanted to experience freedom from alcohol. This January, after years of gradually reducing my alcohol intake, I decided to try a full year of sobriety. And I'm not alone. While data suggests alcohol consumption tends to be higher in LGBTQ+ spaces, sober nights out are increasingly common around Pride and beyond, with DrinkAware reporting that 54% of 18 to 24-year-olds want to drink less. For some people, it's a physical health thing. Alcohol impacts gut health, digestion, and every organ in the body. Following recent research that confirms alcohol damages DNA and increases the rate of cancer, in 2026, Ireland will become the first country to label alcoholic beverages with cancer warnings. For others, it's a realisation that alcohol slowly deteriorates mental health. We tend to associate drinking with that first buzz, before the depressant effects make us feel blurry and sick. Alcohol interferes with serotonin levels and neurotransmitters which exacerbates mood and anxiety disorders. It's easy to self-medicate and get trapped in a cycle of drinking, recovering, and drinking again. When I learned that my baseline dopamine levels were lower than a non-drinker's just because I'd had a drink 10 days before, I knew I wanted to take a break. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Drinkaware (@drinkaware_irl) I'm only a few months into my Sober 2025, but I feel so much peace with this decision. I spoke with a couple folks who are further along in their alcohol-free journeys about the challenges and joys of being sober in LGBTQ+ spaces at Pride and beyond. Amy has been sober for two years. While she knows going somewhere new for the first time can feel intimidating, she says being sober 'gives you and your body an opportunity to truly evaluate if you enjoy being in that space' without being clouded by alcohol. She tends to gravitate to alcohol-free events where she can bring a friend, like book clubs. She said, 'I've found that in sober spaces, the connections often run deeper.' Danielle has been sober for 12 years and finds sobriety to be a 'much more enjoyable state to be in.' One of her favourite feelings is being on a dancefloor enjoying the music without worrying about making a fool of herself due to alcohol. 'I have found that being sober means I am more alert, so can take in the atmosphere of everything happening—the music, the people, the outfits, the energy—in a much clearer way.' People tend to feel like drinking helps them navigate social settings, but going to a new event drunk often means waking up dehydrated and full of hangxiety. Even though she has social anxiety, Danielle feels more at ease going to alcohol-free events because she knows other attendees will be clear-headed and likely a bit nervous like herself. She said, 'Knowing an event is going to be alcohol-free is reassuring to me because I know that I won't accidentally sit beside a drunken stranger who starts to encroach on my personal space or tries to have a drunken conversation with me.' Quitting alcohol tends to make people more aware of other people's drinking habits which can be challenging, especially for people in early recovery. Amy said sobriety made her consider 'how much drinking culture can dominate social life.' And now, she tends to be more intentional with 'choosing more inclusive hangouts with activities rather than just going to the bar.' Most of Danielle's friends aren't big drinkers either anymore, but she remembers the unpleasant feeling of having someone suddenly show up and throw their arms around her while slurring their words. To navigate this kind of behaviour, Danielle learned to meet friends earlier for food or other fun sober events and then part ways when they want to start drinking. She knows a quick exit may sound cold or harsh, but leaving 'with a short goodbye before folks get too drunk or messy' is often the best course of action, especially for people who have trauma around alcoholism or may feel pressured to jump into a caretaker role. Danielle stopped drinking in her late 20s and knows she wouldn't be comfortable dating someone with different drinking habits. She said it's a matter of 'differing interests and preferences about how to spend our free time.' Beyond that, 'I don't want to have a partner whose personality might change when they are drunk, or who drinks so much they are ill, or spends every Sunday recovering with a hangover.' Most people will encounter some resistance in their body when they give up alcohol. It's an addictive substance and even if you aren't actively in recovery, cravings occur. There are loads of techniques to deal with this, whether you're trying to stay sober during Pride or at any other social event. Danielle suggests asking a friend to play an online game with you, watching your favourite film, blasting some music, going for a walk, screaming into a pillow, or 'whatever you need to do to pass the time until that urge subsides.' For anyone in the early stages of sobriety who may be struggling to stay sober, especially around Pride season, Danielle says to 'focus on getting through the next 10 minutes, then hour, then day.' She also recommends looking into techniques to rest your vagus nerve or distract your body, 'such as squeezing an ice cube or triggering your mammalian dive reflex.' If you know a stressful period is coming up, she recommends preparing by researching some tools and methods to help. She suggests: 'Write out a few techniques and place them somewhere accessible' so they are there when you need them. Amy tries to 'stay really honest' with herself and her people. 'If I'm in a rough patch, I make sure I've got some sober tools ready—whether that's therapy or just texting someone I trust. Remembering why I'm sober (anxious girly) and how much better I feel without the spiral helps keep me steady.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sober Sallys Galway 🌻 (@sobersallys_galway) When it comes to talking about sobriety and dealing with friends who may not be supportive, Danielle said: 'I'm a big believer in people doing what they need to do for their own health. The reason I don't drink is complex and not something I care to share with everyone in my life.' At first, Danielle told people she couldn't drink because she had an alcohol allergy. 'It wasn't technically true, but people rarely asked follow-up questions.' Danielle said: 'It's nice to be able to share openly with friends and family you trust and who understand, but it's also perfectly fine to keep the real reason private and to just say whatever story or little white lie you need to in order to get people to accept your decision.' When new people question why she has a Pepsi in front of her rather than a beer, she has found that firmly and confidently saying, 'I don't drink alcohol', is usually enough. Amy said she likes to share her experience when it feels right. She said: 'I do think it's healthy to talk about it openly. Sometimes it sparks good conversations and can allow people to get to know you better or helps someone else feel less alone in their own relationship with alcohol.' Personally, I love thinking about sobriety in terms of what I'm gaining versus what I'm losing. Being alcohol-free often means more energy, time, peace, mental clarity, and mindfulness. It gives me a sense of safety and control because I can tap into my playful self, but on my own terms, without a substance. I have so many blurry, happy memories with people I barely knew on the Street 66 dance floor, but I've had deeper, happier, more fulfilling nights out since I've been sober. I get to experience a full range of emotions which feels like an opportunity to feel closer to my queer community instead of numbing it out. Perhaps, most importantly, I feel more like myself. Sobriety also offers me the time and energy to show up for my LGBTQ+ community in essential ways that are difficult to do under the influence. On a personal level, being sober means I'm always fully present and able to offer support when friends experience transphobia or threats to their personal safety. On a bigger scale, being sober means I am always early to protests like Pride, and I have the time, focus, and energy to stand up against inequalities, injustices, and discrimination. To conclude, here are some tips for anyone planning their first sober Pride: 'I would recommend having one friend that will be your buddy knowing that this is a sober event for you. They can provide support and conversation if you're feeling anxious.' – Amy.'Have a look at the schedule for events not centred around drinking like Laughter Yoga or a Coffee and Painting session. Pick a few that interest you and think of this as an opportunity to try something new.' -Danielle. Did you know that this Pride month you can support GCN by donating €1 when you shop online with PayPal? Simply select GCN at checkout or add us as your favourite charity* at this link to support Ireland's free LGBTQ+ media. *GCN is a trading name of National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity – Charity Number: 20034580. The post A different kind of buzz: Choosing the sober life for Pride and beyond appeared first on GCN.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Clean energy advocates concerned about how federal cuts and freezes could affect clean energy efficiency programs in the CSRA
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – State Senator Harold Jones and local clean energy leaders are speaking out about how those cuts could impact the funding of clean energy programs and what that means for the community. Programs like the Weatherization Assistance Program and Solar for All help lower utility costs for some Georgia families. They also promote workforce development, home energy savings, and address climate issues. Georgia State Senator Harold Jones is opposed to those cuts. He says they'll raise costs and cut jobs. 'These are not buzz words about clean energy or weatherization,' said State Senator Harold Jones. 'These things actually matter to people. Actually, puts more money in their pockets. Also improves the economy and the environment. All of that is connected to actually having a better society.' Nicole Lee is a business owner who has seen how weatherization and solar power help low- to moderate-income families save hundreds of dollars in utility costs thanks to these programs. 'Just to see the widespread of ones solar as well as weatherization work in in multiple states and seeing the impact that it helps in LMI communities is astonishing, and so I'm hoping that you know bipartisan funding is able to be passed so that these programs can continue to exist,' said Nicole Lee, Owner of Be Smart Home Solutions. Paige Brockmeyer is part of the Citizens Climate Lobby in Augusta and wants to encourage people to continue reaching out to state and federal lawmakers and encourage them to vote against cuts to these programs. She says the health of Georgians depends on it. 'The more particulate matter that's in the air from burning fossil fuels, the more respiratory problems we have. So, that's kind of at one level, and at another level, you have events like Hurricane Helene,' said Paige Brockmeyer, Volunteer Group Leader, Citizens Climate Lobby Augusta. The speakers wanted to bring attention to Georgia's congressional delegation to protect these programs so that only the heat rises this summer and not utility costs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
The 'mummy wine culture' leading to a surge in alcoholism among middle-aged Aussie women
Melbourne woman Diane Denton has warned against 'wine mum' culture after her sister died following a battle with alcoholism. 'My father was a dependent drinker and I lost my sister to alcohol earlier this year,' she told 7News on Saturday. 'From what I understand, her drinking was quite risky in the end. She was drinking all day, every day.' Ms Denton's sister died at the age of 49 and the loss has prompted Diane to quit drinking alcohol herself after years of partying. 'My general anxiety, and you know, these bouts of depression have been alleviated.' Alcohol is the most widely used drug in Australia, according to the National Medical and Research Council (NHMRC). But the phenomenon of 'mummy wine culture' is on the rise due to a growing reliance of women on alcohol to manage anxiety after having a child, the University of Sydney reported. One of the common factors is that women have been made to feel as though drinking wine to 'cope' with stress is 'normal', with memes and slogans pushing the idea. CEO of Hello Sunday Morning Dr Nicole Lee said her organisation, which encourages Australians to cut back on and quit drinking alcohol, has seen a rise in the behaviour. 'We're seeing a concerning increase, particularly in women in middle age,' she said, specifically citing among women aged 45 to 65. 'There's a real kind of mummy wine culture that's promoted as you know, alcohol is a great release for all of the hard work that we do.' Another issue she raised is that alcohol shops see women as an 'untapped market' and advertise drinks with slimmer bottles and colours viewed as more feminine. It is a concern echoed by global alcohol prevention group Movendi International, which has warned that companies have invested in marketing campaigns targeting women. 'There are alcohol products strategically targeting women by incorporating specific design elements that appeal to their tastes and lifestyles,' its website said. 'These products often feature special packaging that is smaller, pink, and designed to serve as fashionable accessories.'
Engadget
07-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Engadget
The best tech gifts for mom that she'll appreciate for the rest of 2025
When we think about gifts that moms will appreciate, the idea of "time" comes up a lot. If you can give the mom in your life a few hours back to do whatever — relaxing, creating, or getting things done— do that. The next best thing is a device that'll help mom make the most of her time. We've rounded up some clever gadgets and useful gear that we've tried out ourselves, so we can confirm they're worthwhile. Our favorite air fryer will save time in the kitchen, a quality style-dryer could make her morning routine more efficient, and one of our favorite smartwatches will literally mark the minutes for her. We also suggest a subscription to The New York Times Games, to help make the most of precious downtime. When I tested air purifiers for our guide, I found the best way to clear the air was by opening windows — but if the mom in your life deals with allergies or lives where the air quality can get bad, an air purifier can be the next best thing. The Levoit Core 400S Smart Air Purifier was one of the quietest models I tested and performed on a level with models three times as expensive. It has a three-stage filter (including an activated carbon layer and particulate filter), and the internal particulate matter sensor can automatically adjust fan speed as air gets murkier. The companion app both shows historical air quality readouts and makes the unit itself easy to control and schedule. Plus, the replacement filters aren't overly expensive like they are with other units. — Amy Skorheim, Reporter Read more: The best air purifiers $220 at Amazon Take your mother's morning coffee routine up a notch with the Ember Mug, a self-heating smart mug that keeps beverages at just the right temperature for up to 1.5 hours or all day if the mug is kept on its charging coaster. It has a temperature range between 120 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit, which lets your mom dial in just how hot she wants her brew. There's also a companion app which lets her save preset temps for her favorite drinks, track her caffeine intake, customize the color of the LED light on the front of the mug and more. The latest version comes in a pretty rose gold color as well as white, black, gold, silver and copper. — Nicole Lee, Former Commerce Writer $180 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $180 at Target So many of us take hundreds of photos with our phones and then never do anything with them. They're left to languish in our camera rolls, only to be uncovered when you have to scroll back months to find that one image you're searching for. If you want to give mom a more polished way to look back at her favorite photos, an album from Mpix will do the trick. You can customize your photo book from the ground up, choosing the best images of her family and friends and laying them out on each page in a neat way. You can also pick from different types of cover options and paper weights, making the final product as premium as you want it to be. With options starting at $30 per book, it's pretty easy to make mom a gift she'll want to revisit again and again. – Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor $30+ at Mpix I'll be the first to say the Pura scent diffuser surprised me. Before testing it out, I didn't believe such a small device could really inject strong scent into my home. But it didn't take long before I was proven wrong. The one I have stays plugged in, resolute, in the family room of my home close to the front door, and as soon as I walk in when the Pura is running, I'm met with the lovely smells of Amalfi lemon, lavender fields or whichever other scent I decided to go with. The Pura can hold two different proprietary scent capsules at a time, so you can create very different vibes based on time of day, occasion or anything else you can think of. The Pura app makes it easy to set diffusion schedules per scent, too, and it can pause diffusion all together if you're away from home. Are you going to get whole-home diffusion from this CD-sized gadget? No (maybe try the new Pura Plus for that), but it'll make the part of your home that it lives in feel much more luxurious. — V.P. $50 at Pura The Aura Carver frame would make a great gift for any parent or relative with whom you want to stay more connected and share memories as you're making them. The top pick in our best digital frames guide, the Aura Carver has a super simple setup: plug it in, download its companion app and upload photos. One of its best features is its ability to continuously scan the albums you pair with it and automatically upload new photos in it to the frame. That means if you have a shared photo album between you, your mom and other family members and pair it with the frame, anyone can add new photos to the frame simply by adding them to your shared album. On top of that, the Carver has the best display we've seen on any digital frame and there's no limit to the number of photos it can show. — V.P. Read more: The best digital frames $149 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $178 at Walmart$150 at Target Tech touches everything now and the beauty industry has built a better mousetrap with the latest dry-and-style machines available today. One of the simplest I've tried, yet most effective, is the Calista StyleDryer Pro. It's a hairdryer and a brush in one, and it comes with two brush attachments that mom can swap between depending on her preference. Regardless of which is her favorite, both will make it easier for her to get a stellar blowout. Three temperature settings let her dial in exactly how hot (or cool) she needs to go for her desired style, and the attachments are infused with Tourmaline to better distribute heat. In my testing, I found the StyleDryer Pro not only dried my hair more quickly than my separate, aging hair dryer and brush duo, but it also got my hair sleeker and smoother than I ever have been able to get it before. (Note that we're now linking to the newer Vault StyleDryer Pro, which appears to be a bit larger but replaces the now-discontinued original version.) — V.P. $29 at Calista If mom's been feeling all in knots lately, a personal massage 'gun' like the Theragun Mini can provide some temporary relief by gently pummeling away her muscle aches. While not the most forceful device of its kind, this triangular massager is effective enough to ease soreness, yet small enough to carry around in and outside of the house. We've recommended older versions of the Mini in past gift guides; compared to the last one, this third-generation model is similarly compact and supports the same speeds and head attachments, but it lasts a bit longer on a charge. (Therabody rates it at 180 minutes.) Just be warned it's not exactly quiet. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter $179 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $179 at Target The Beats Fit Pro may be our favorite wireless earbuds for working out, but your mom doesn't have to be a regular running or pilates enthusiast to get a lot of use out of them. These buds have a comfortable, secure fit thanks to their flexible wing tips, plus a great sound profile out of the box thanks in part to Adaptive EQ technology. Active noise cancellation is solid as well, which will come in handy when she wants to block out distractions at work or while running errands, and she'll be able to quickly jump into any conversation she deems important by using Transparency Mode. If your mom has an iPhone, she'll benefit from the H1 chip inside the Beats Fit Pro, which enables things like quick pairing and switching between Apple devices and hands-free Siri. But Android toting mothers won't be left out either — the Fit Pros have their own Android app that supports many of the same features. — V.P. Read more: The best wireless earbuds $170 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $170 at Macy's$180 at Walmart Look, there's a good chance your mom plays Wordle, Connections, Sudoku and/or The Mini anyway — opening up the rest of the New York Times Games catalog with a subscription should only bring them a few more hours of gentle fun during their downtime. Few daily achievements are more satisfying than reaching 'genius' in Spelling Bee or finishing the full-size crossword. But even beyond that, the paid tier unlocks archived editions of Wordle and Connections, plus the ability to track game stats across devices. While not every game in the selection is a winner, your mom will probably be grateful for the harmless entertainment the next time she's bored. — J.D. $50/year at New York Times The Pixel Watch 3 is Google's best smartwatch yet, so much so that it took the top stop as our favorite watch for Android users in our best smartwatches guide. The Pixel Watch 3 has a slightly larger circular display than its predecessor, and it's brighter than ever which will make it easier to read in all sorts of lighting. In our testing, we found it to be an excellent activity and sleep tracker, and advanced features like auto workout detection and custom running plans make it even better for both those just starting a new exercise routine and seasoned athletes. Google Assistant integration comes in handy as well, allowing users to get questions answered, check calendar events and weather forecasts and more just using voice commands. Plus, the Pixel Watch 3 has the longest battery life of any Pixel Watch to date, with up to 24 hours of use before it needs a recharge. — V.P. Read more: The best smartwatches $300 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $300 at Walmart$350 at Google Store I've loved Withings' hybrid watches, which put all the health tech you could need in a far less geeky package, for more than a decade. The ScanWatch Horizon, its first using a diver's watch case, has been a permanent fixture on my wrist since 2021. Since then, Withings has updated the ScanWatch with even more features, and launched a Horizon successor, called the Nova. The one downside is that all the ScanWatches are, to be blunt, beefy enough that they only suit folks with strong forearms. If you prefer a smaller timepiece, you've been left on the sidelines until the company launched the ScanWatch Nova Brilliant. It shrinks all of the ScanWatch tech into a 38mm case and gets a two-tone strap that matches your bezel color choice. A cynic might suggest Withings is aping the style of Rolex's Datejust watches, even down to the two-tone strap choice. An optimist might wonder why that's relevant, given it costs an order of magnitude less money and does an awful lot more. If someone special in your life wants a smart watch but not a smartwatch, and wants to look luxurious while doing it, this should be top of your options. — Daniel Cooper, Senior Reporter $599 at Withings Last holiday season, after a month or so of me unsubtly and repeatedly mentioning how very cool and convenient and interesting Engadget's top air fryer pick seemed to me, one surprisingly appeared beneath our tree. For nearly a year now, my entire family has used the Instant Vortex Plus air fryer nearly daily to cook frozen french fries, crisp up dinner, reheat takeout or make extra stretchy nachos. This particular model comes with replaceable filters that keeps the fried-food smell down to a minimum and the glass front paired with interior light make it easy to peek on your potatoes without opening the drawer. The basket is easy to clean, preheating is fast and the touch controls are simple to understand — pretty much everything you want in a good air fryer. — A.S. Read more: The best air fryers $130 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $136 at Walmart$160 at Wayfair For most moms I know, sleep is a precious, unguaranteed commodity. I personally used to sleep like the dead until I had a kid, which then made every nighttime creak a reason to bolt upright, ready for action. I reviewed the Hatch Restore 2 and found it to be a delightful sleep companion, one that helped me get to sleep and woke me up less jarringly than anything else I've tried. The latest model, the Hatch Restore 3 actually improves upon the previous generation with additional onboard controls (something I'd wished for in my review). It still has a continually updated library of sleep aids including nature sounds, lulling stories, dreamy music and meditations. Waking up techniques combine a sunrise alarm with pep talks, stretching sessions, fun facts and more. The only catch is that the best content requires a $6-per-month subscription. But, so far it's been worth it for me. — A.S $170 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $170 at Target$170 at Best Buy I'm not the world's most organized person, but I do recognize that keeping the detritus of life more or less in its proper place makes a day far easier to get through. I've picked up a few of the storage and organizational designs from Yamazaki Home and each one has made my home feel more under control. The Rolling Storage Cart has a clean look with its white steel and a bamboo top. Just about any room in the house could benefit from the three hidden shelves it offers, but I've used mine as a place to store rolls of toilet paper and the bowl scrubber in the bathroom. Everything stays concealed behind the solid side panel until you roll it away from the wall to access what you need. To me, it represents low-effort tidiness, which is my favorite kind. — A.S. $145 at Yamazaki Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.
Engadget
05-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Engadget
The 14 best tech gifts for moms
If you're struggling to come up with just the right gift for your mom, you're not alone. Mothers can be particularly difficult to shop for, especially if your mom is like many we know who insist that they don't want or need gifts. Short of giving them some time back in their day to do what they want to do instead of things they need to do, the gift ideas we collected below can help you show the mother figure in your life that you care and want to spoil them a bit even when they claim it's not necessary — because they deserve it. When I tested air purifiers for our guide, I found the best way to clear the air was by opening windows — but if the mom in your life deals with allergies or lives where the air quality can get bad, an air purifier can be the next best thing. The Levoit Core 400S Smart Air Purifier was one of the quietest models I tested and performed on a level with models three times as expensive. It has a three-stage filter (including an activated carbon layer and particulate filter), and the internal particulate matter sensor can automatically adjust fan speed as air gets murkier. The companion app both shows historical air quality readouts and makes the unit itself easy to control and schedule. Plus, the replacement filters aren't overly expensive like they are with other units. — Amy Skorheim, Reporter Read more: The best air purifiers $220 at Amazon Take your mother's morning coffee routine up a notch with the Ember Mug, a self-heating smart mug that keeps beverages at just the right temperature for up to 1.5 hours or all day if the mug is kept on its charging coaster. It has a temperature range between 120 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit, which lets your mom dial in just how hot she wants her brew. There's also a companion app which lets her save preset temps for her favorite drinks, track her caffeine intake, customize the color of the LED light on the front of the mug and more. The latest version comes in a pretty rose gold color as well as white, black, gold, silver and copper. — Nicole Lee, Former Commerce Writer $180 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $180 at Target So many of us take hundreds of photos with our phones and then never do anything with them. They're left to languish in our camera rolls, only to be uncovered when you have to scroll back months to find that one image you're searching for. If you want to give mom a more polished way to look back at her favorite photos, an album from Mpix will do the trick. You can customize your photo book from the ground up, choosing the best images of her family and friends and laying them out on each page in a neat way. You can also pick from different types of cover options and paper weights, making the final product as premium as you want it to be. With options starting at $30 per book, it's pretty easy to make mom a gift she'll want to revisit again and again. – Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor $30+ at Mpix I'll be the first to say the Pura scent diffuser surprised me. Before testing it out, I didn't believe such a small device could really inject strong scent into my home. But it didn't take long before I was proven wrong. The one I have stays plugged in, resolute, in the family room of my home close to the front door, and as soon as I walk in when the Pura is running, I'm met with the lovely smells of Amalfi lemon, lavender fields or whichever other scent I decided to go with. The Pura can hold two different proprietary scent capsules at a time, so you can create very different vibes based on time of day, occasion or anything else you can think of. The Pura app makes it easy to set diffusion schedules per scent, too, and it can pause diffusion all together if you're away from home. Are you going to get whole-home diffusion from this CD-sized gadget? No (maybe try the new Pura Plus for that), but it'll make the part of your home that it lives in feel much more luxurious. — V.P. $50 at Pura The Aura Carver frame would make a great gift for any parent or relative with whom you want to stay more connected and share memories as you're making them. The top pick in our best digital frames guide, the Aura Carver has a super simple setup: plug it in, download its companion app and upload photos. One of its best features is its ability to continuously scan the albums you pair with it and automatically upload new photos in it to the frame. That means if you have a shared photo album between you, your mom and other family members and pair it with the frame, anyone can add new photos to the frame simply by adding them to your shared album. On top of that, the Carver has the best display we've seen on any digital frame and there's no limit to the number of photos it can show. — V.P. Read more: The best digital frames $149 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $150 at Walmart$150 at Target Tech touches everything now and the beauty industry has built a better mousetrap with the latest dry-and-style machines available today. One of the simplest I've tried, yet most effective, is the Calista StyleDryer Pro. It's a hairdryer and a brush in one, and it comes with two brush attachments that mom can swap between depending on her preference. Regardless of which is her favorite, both will make it easier for her to get a stellar blowout. Three temperature settings let her dial in exactly how hot (or cool) she needs to go for her desired style, and the attachments are infused with Tourmaline to better distribute heat. In my testing, I found the StyleDryer Pro not only dried my hair more quickly than my separate, aging hair dryer and brush duo, but it also got my hair sleeker and smoother than I ever have been able to get it before. (Note that we're now linking to the newer Vault StyleDryer Pro, which appears to be a bit larger but replaces the now-discontinued original version.) — V.P. $29 at Calista If mom's been feeling all in knots lately, a personal massage 'gun' like the Theragun Mini can provide some temporary relief by gently pummeling away her muscle aches. While not the most forceful device of its kind, this triangular massager is effective enough to ease soreness, yet small enough to carry around in and outside of the house. We've recommended older versions of the Mini in past gift guides; compared to the last one, this third-generation model is similarly compact and supports the same speeds and head attachments, but it lasts a bit longer on a charge. (Therabody rates it at 180 minutes.) Just be warned it's not exactly quiet. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter $179 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $179 at Target The Beats Fit Pro may be our favorite wireless earbuds for working out, but your mom doesn't have to be a regular running or pilates enthusiast to get a lot of use out of them. These buds have a comfortable, secure fit thanks to their flexible wing tips, plus a great sound profile out of the box thanks in part to Adaptive EQ technology. Active noise cancellation is solid as well, which will come in handy when she wants to block out distractions at work or while running errands, and she'll be able to quickly jump into any conversation she deems important by using Transparency Mode. If your mom has an iPhone, she'll benefit from the H1 chip inside the Beats Fit Pro, which enables things like quick pairing and switching between Apple devices and hands-free Siri. But Android toting mothers won't be left out either — the Fit Pros have their own Android app that supports many of the same features. — V.P. Read more: The best wireless earbuds $170 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $170 at Macy's$180 at Walmart Look, there's a good chance your mom plays Wordle, Connections, Sudoku and/or The Mini anyway — opening up the rest of the New York Times Games catalog with a subscription should only bring them a few more hours of gentle fun during their downtime. Few daily achievements are more satisfying than reaching 'genius' in Spelling Bee or finishing the full-size crossword. But even beyond that, the paid tier unlocks archived editions of Wordle and Connections, plus the ability to track game stats across devices. While not every game in the selection is a winner, your mom will probably be grateful for the harmless entertainment the next time she's bored. — J.D. $50/year at New York Times The Pixel Watch 3 is Google's best smartwatch yet, so much so that it took the top stop as our favorite watch for Android users in our best smartwatches guide. The Pixel Watch 3 has a slightly larger circular display than its predecessor, and it's brighter than ever which will make it easier to read in all sorts of lighting. In our testing, we found it to be an excellent activity and sleep tracker, and advanced features like auto workout detection and custom running plans make it even better for both those just starting a new exercise routine and seasoned athletes. Google Assistant integration comes in handy as well, allowing users to get questions answered, check calendar events and weather forecasts and more just using voice commands. Plus, the Pixel Watch 3 has the longest battery life of any Pixel Watch to date, with up to 24 hours of use before it needs a recharge. — V.P. Read more: The best smartwatches $300 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $350 at Google Store$300 at Best Buy I've loved Withings' hybrid watches, which put all the health tech you could need in a far less geeky package, for more than a decade. The ScanWatch Horizon, its first using a diver's watch case, has been a permanent fixture on my wrist since 2021. Since then, Withings has updated the ScanWatch with even more features, and launched a Horizon successor, called the Nova. The one downside is that all the ScanWatches are, to be blunt, beefy enough that they only suit folks with strong forearms. If you prefer a smaller timepiece, you've been left on the sidelines until the company launched the ScanWatch Nova Brilliant. It shrinks all of the ScanWatch tech into a 38mm case and gets a two-tone strap that matches your bezel color choice. A cynic might suggest Withings is aping the style of Rolex's Datejust watches, even down to the two-tone strap choice. An optimist might wonder why that's relevant, given it costs an order of magnitude less money and does an awful lot more. If someone special in your life wants a smart watch but not a smartwatch, and wants to look luxurious while doing it, this should be top of your options. — Daniel Cooper, Senior Reporter $599 at Withings Last holiday season, after a month or so of me unsubtly and repeatedly mentioning how very cool and convenient and interesting Engadget's top air fryer pick seemed to me, one surprisingly appeared beneath our tree. For nearly a year now, my entire family has used the Instant Vortex Plus air fryer nearly daily to cook frozen french fries, crisp up dinner, reheat takeout or make extra stretchy nachos. This particular model comes with replaceable filters that keeps the fried-food smell down to a minimum and the glass front paired with interior light make it easy to peek on your potatoes without opening the drawer. The basket is easy to clean, preheating is fast and the touch controls are simple to understand — pretty much everything you want in a good air fryer. — A.S. Read more: The best air fryers $130 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $136 at Walmart$160 at Wayfair For most moms I know, sleep is a precious, unguaranteed commodity. I personally used to sleep like the dead until I had a kid, which then made every nighttime creak a reason to bolt upright, ready for action. I reviewed the Hatch Restore 2 and found it to be a delightful sleep companion, one that helped me get to sleep and woke me up less jarringly than anything else I've tried. The latest model, the Hatch Restore 3 actually improves upon the previous generation with additional onboard controls (something I'd wished for in my review). It still has a continually updated library of sleep aids including nature sounds, lulling stories, dreamy music and meditations. Waking up techniques combine a sunrise alarm with pep talks, stretching sessions, fun facts and more. The only catch is that the best content requires a $6-per-month subscription. But, so far it's been worth it for me. — A.S $170 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $170 at Target$170 at Best Buy I'm not the world's most organized person, but I do recognize that keeping the detritus of life more or less in its proper place makes a day far easier to get through. I've picked up a few of the storage and organizational designs from Yamazaki Home and each one has made my home feel more under control. The Rolling Storage Cart has a clean look with its white steel and a bamboo top. Just about any room in the house could benefit from the three hidden shelves it offers, but I've used mine as a place to store rolls of toilet paper and the bowl scrubber in the bathroom. Everything stays concealed behind the solid side panel until you roll it away from the wall to access what you need. To me, it represents low-effort tidiness, which is my favorite kind. — A.S. $145 at Yamazaki Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.
