Gear review: Gifts

With this weekend’s sales and Cyber Sunday, it’s a great time to get a jump on holiday shopping. Here are some fun picks — many of which are on sale. 

Apollo Neuro 

We can all use a little calm, joy, and better sleep during the holidays, and Apollo Neuro delivers. I’ve successfully avoided all caffeine when running the Energy program and feel more uplifted and joyful when using the Social program. Normally, I can’t work with music or televisions on, but the Focus program mitigated that, so I hardly noticed background noise. Finally, I rely on calm, unwinding, and sleep for a good night’s sleep. I’ve been sleeping much better, and if I do wake up, it only takes a press of two buttons on the wearable Apollo Neuro to replay sleep, rather than fumbling for my phone in the middle of the night. I was also concerned about electromagnetic fields, but you can turn on airplane mode in both the wearable and phone. The ability to schedule different vibes throughout the day results in a fix-it-and-forget mode. A calming vibration signals the vagus nerve that it’s safe to relax and feel good. You can even get a quick good-vibe hit from your phone, in case you don’t have the device with you. If you dig into the research, it’s solid, conducted by independent university researchers with no financial relationship to Apollo Neuroscience. $448, on sale for $338, apolloneuro.com. 

EverGrace Ridgeline Faux Fur Throw Blanket 

One of my favorite things about winter (besides skiing) is snuggling up with a cozy blanket, and this happens to be my new favorite blanket. It’s incredibly soft, and the sculpted faux fur gives it plenty of visual appeal. The back features a silky velvet that offers the warmth of suede, so both sides wrap you in luxury. I keep it on my sofa for décor and warmth, but it looks great on beds, too. Comes in various colors and three sizes, from 50×60 inches to 90×90 inches. $69.99-$89.99, evergracehome.com.

Rad Roller Neuro Ball, Atom, and Recover Rounds 

Speaking of stimulating nerves, Rad Roller’s Neuro Ball both relaxes and awakens hand and feet muscles. But this isn’t just a 2.6-inch nubby ball; you can split it in half to stand on both halves and really get into your heels, arches, and palms. Additionally, the smaller Micro Round fits inside for extra-targeted massage. Rad Rollers come with a free app with short videos, as well as a paid advanced one. Go after your glutes with the hard Atom; it provides plenty of compression and circulation to large muscle groups, such as those in the shoulders and hips. Like other balls, you can use it solo to roll on, or you can attach it to the crowbar (sold separately) to add shear, or sideways forces, to release myofascial and work out kinks. In partnership with Yoga Medicine, Rad Roller designed the softer silicone 2.5-inch Recovery Rounds — two balls perfect for the back, hips, feet, calves, shoulders, and arms. These are great when you need a softer, more relaxing touch than the Atom; they both have their place, but sometimes, harder is not better — starting softer relaxes the body, so you can really get in there later. Neuro ball, $25; Atom, $35; Rounds, $25, radroller.com. 

CXD PFAS-Free Nonstick Saucepan with Glass Lid and HD Nonstick 11×11 inch Square Grill Pan — Induction 

Made in Switzerland, Swiss Diamond eco-friendly cookware offers some of the highest quality pots and pans out there. I love the glass lid on the saucepan; it allows me to achieve just the right heat for tea or simmering grains. Made of 100% aluminum, without unhealthy elements like PFOAs, lead and cadmium, the dual-layer ceramic nonstick coating, finished with a diamond-infused ceramic topcoat, allows food to slide out, rather than stick. It also heats quickly and evenly. Sometimes it’s a little too cold and snowy to grill outside, so the ribbed square pan is perfect for cooking chicken, steak, and veggies indoors. Both the pan and grill are oven-safe, up to 500 degrees. At 3.95 pounds, the grill is easier to move with two hands, using the convenient lip opposite the handle. On both items, the diamond-enhanced coating doesn’t let food stick — even without using oil — and they’re quick to clean. Plus, who doesn’t love diamonds while preparing a gourmet meal? Saucepan (2.2 quart), $199.95; square pan, $189.95, swissdiamond.com.

Grayl 16.9 oz. UltraPress Ti Purifier  

This is the first titanium filter bottle that allows you to mix in electrolytes through the one-way valve while removing waterborne pathogens — from viruses and parasites to plastics and heavy metals —  in 10 seconds wherever you go in the world. You can also heat water or cook food with the titanium bottle, which includes butterfly handles, so you can grab it with a mitt and not burn yourself. Even the D-ring loop allows you to attach a cord to fill the bottle from bridges, rapids, and the like. The CP4-grade 1 titanium is both lightweight and strong and offers subtle and beautiful topo art. Plus, it fits in any cup holder or pack pocket, and the cartridge lasts for 300 presses, or 40 gallons. $179.95, on sale for $143.96, grayl.com.

Slime Cordless 3-in1 Inflator 

Sometimes the most “efficient” tool to get a job done isn’t really the most efficient. Let me explain: I hate to admit it, but when it comes to huge power tools or the enormous compressor my husband has, I go all girly-girl and ask him to do the job. Every month or so, my tire inexplicably loses air pressure, and shops can’t seem to fix the problem. So, I ask my husband to put air in my tire. Less than half the time, he does it within one or two requests; half the time, I forget to ask. Enter Slime’s cordless inflator for tires, balls, rafts, and more. I absolutely love this little machine that fits in your hand, even though it takes longer than a huge air compressor to put the 5 psi’s my tire usually needs — at least I can pull it out and easily do it myself. I keep it in my car for days when my tire light inevitably goes on, and if I’m on a trip or simply pull into the garage, I can easily air up. Plus, it acts as a power bank to charge phones and includes a three-brightness flashlight for night filling. The extra-long hose makes it simple, and the digital display ranges from 0-150 psi, but you can set the pressure for automatic shut-off. It fills two flat tires on one charge, and the battery holds a charge for four months. $59.99 through AutoZone, slime.com.

CODE Health Quartz 

Through Scalar technology, this AAA gemstone is imprinted with specific energy patterns to infuse beauty products like serums, creams, shampoo, and conditioner. It’s designed to amplify products with love, joy and gratitude, restoring energetic harmony, balance, and vitality, while also reducing inflammation and stress in humans. The concept: It promotes cellular healing, transforming everything it comes into contact with, including water for pets and people (just don’t accidentally swallow it; it’s best to charge the water, then remove the crystal). I did feel a subtle calm when I used it, but sometimes I do wonder about the placebo effect. However, the company has oodles of research on its website and is rooted in decades of studies in biology, water memory, and resonant molecular signaling, so if you want to learn more, head to the website. $25, codehealthshop.com.