Written by: Merilee Kern, MBA • December 20, 2024• Holidays

Holiday Gift Crunch? Last-Minute Presents in a Pinch

The clock is ticking, but there’s no need to panic—last-minute gifting can still be thoughtful, stylish, and downright impressive. Whether you’re shopping for the beauty enthusiast, the foodie, or the one who already seems to have it all, this last minute guide has you covered with quick and thoughtful ideas. From speedy shipping solutions to instant digital options, these gifts are as convenient as they are delightful. Procrastination has never looked so polished!

The Beatbot AquaSense Pro Robotic Pool Cleaner (https://beatbot.com)
The Beatbot AquaSense Pro is the industry’s first all-in-one robotic pool cleaner with true decision thinking, featuring AI. Serving as the eyes and ears of the device, the robot includes 20 smart sensors, including dual gyroscopes and dual ultrasonic sensors, to make the device the only pool robot that can “see” and “understand” its environment. This “learning” informs the Beatbot OS and enables adaptive navigation to accurate distance measurement, precise orientation and more. The powerful Beatbot OS – the robot’s brain, is capable of making decisions based on changing conditions to create the best possible cleaning route for each pool. The mapping and cleaning path planning, via software and sensors, allows it to avoid edges and obstacles and creates optimized routes to eliminate overlap and missed spots. This path optimization together with the industry first 5-in-1 cleaning provide 100% pool coverage. It covers every inch of the pool, from floor and walls to waterline, water surface and even water clarification. It also features cleaning path visualization via an app, a powerful 9-motor system, intelligent return-to-starting-point and surface parking capabilities. Its industry-first ClearWater clarifier dispenser also adapts the dosage of cleaning agents by size of pool to provide unmatched clarity.

LetPot Hydroponics Growing Systems (https://www.amazon.com/)
Transform the indoor gardening experience this year with the LetPot Senior Hydroponics Growing System—a sophisticated, 12-pod hydroponic system that blends style with innovation. Designed for convenience, it allows owners to manage their garden effortlessly through the LetPot App, where users can schedule LED lighting, monitor plant growth and receive watering reminders from the palm of their hand to the tip of their fingers. The 24-watt, full-spectrum grow light is adjustable up to 21 inches and nurtures plants through every stage of growth, while a whisper-quiet water pump ensures healthy, oxygenated roots. Unlike traditional soil-grown plants, LetPot’s LED system mimics natural sunlight and can even help plants grow up to 40 percent faster than traditional methods—making it the perfect solution for year-round, indoor gardening. The LPH-Air Hydroponics Growing System Kit is designed for convenience and exceptional performance. Equipped with a powerful 24-watt full-spectrum LED lighting system and app-based controls, it accelerates plant growth up to 300% faster than traditional methods. The system connects seamlessly to the LETPOT app, allowing users to adjust lighting, receive water level alerts and manage settings from their smartphone. Its adjustable LED rod extends up to 16 inches to accommodate various plant growth stages, while the 3.5-liter water tank can sustain plants for 14-21 days without requiring refills. Perfect for frosty winters or everyday greenery, this kit ensures fresh, healthy growth with minimal effort. For smaller spaces, LETPOT’s GL 60 Watt Plant Grow Light Bulb is a compact, yet powerful, solution. Featuring full-spectrum LED technology, it provides optimal light wavelengths to enhance photosynthesis and promote robust growth from seedling to harvest. The energy-efficient design minimizes the carbon footprint while delivering maximum light output. Customizable settings for light intensity and timing allow users to tailor the environment to their plants’ needs, making it suitable for a wide variety of indoor plants, including succulents, herbs and flowering species. Durable and reliable, the GL 60 ensures years of consistent performance for indoor gardeners seeking a smaller, high-impact grow light. Whether for busy horticulturists or budding plant enthusiasts, LETPOT offers innovative tools for thriving indoor greenery.

Formulary 55’s Winter Solstice Candle & Soap Gift Boxes (https://www.formulary55.com)
Give the gift of seasonal charm with Formulary 55’s Winter Solstice Set. This holiday package includes two shea butter soaps and an 11-ounce candle housed in the brand’s signature black glass jar, etched with a distinctive crow icon. Designed to be reused, the jars are part of Formulary 55’s Seasons Collection, which features bold, seasonal scents and striking black-accented packaging. Perfect for fragrance enthusiasts, this line is more heavily perfumed than the brand’s classic white variety. The Winter Solstice Set is free of artificial fragrances, phthalates, parabens, and dyes, and is proudly vegan and cruelty-free. For those seeking just the candle, Formulary 55’s Winter Solstice Candle is available individually. It burns cleanly and evenly for over 90 hours and is hand-poured in small batches using a custom blend of apricot, coconut, and soy waxes, combined with essential oils and phthalate-free fragrances. The scent profile features green balsam, woodsy notes, sharp cool accents and a touch of amber sweetness.

Beauty Bundle from FarmHouse Fresh (https://farmshousefreshgoods.com/)
For the glow-getters and self-care fanatics on your gift list, FarmHouse Fresh’s collection of skincare products are sure to spark joy this season. Its Bronze Fox Tanning Drops mix right into your daily moisturizer—creating a look that glows without a dash of makeup. Enriched with hyaluronic and polyglutamic acids, and an antioxidant cocktail of green tea, watermelon, cactus and açaí, Bronze Fox Tanning Drops instantly deepen your tan. Its blend of moisture-loving acids plump the skin for a dewy, bouncy complexion. To cover the face and neck, users simply combine 2-4 pumps of the product into their daily moisturizer or foundation, or use 4-6 pumps for the upper or lower body. The Bronze Fox Tanning Drops’ effect should appear in 3-5 hours after application and lasts up to 5-7 days. The company’s Quick Recovery Mask Sampler showcases FarmHouse Fresh’s favorite face masks, for the ultimate face-rejuvenation travel trio of one-ounce jars that pack a mighty punch of benefits. The kit comes ready to hydrate with the Guac Star Avocado Mask, boosts radiance with the Splendid Dirt Organic Pumpkin Mud Mask and exfoliates skin to smooth perfection with the Pudding Apeel Tapioca Glycolic Mask. For those who need a little TLC for their stompers, the brand’s Pedi Delight Instant Pedicure Sampler is the gift that keeps on giving. It includes FarmHouse Fresh’s best-selling Honey Heel Glaze (Oprah’s O-List foot serum made with date honey), its lightweight Honey Lavender Sea Salt Scrub and Honey-Chai Steeped Milk Lotion. Since its founding 19 years ago, FarmHouse Fresh’s team of wellness fanatics, estheticians, massage therapists, product crafters and farmers has used its freshly grown, organic microgreens to encourage customers to feel and look their best—inside and out. The award-winning, natural skincare brand has been recognized for putting its purpose before profit and donates 10 percent of every purchased product toward its nonprofit farm animal sanctuary.

Air Fryer Cooking Tools by Cathy Yoder (https://www.airfryertools.com)
Cathy Yoder—widely known as the “Queen of Air Fryers”—is on a mission to simplify meals with an affordable twist. Known among her 730,000 social followers for her air fryer expertise, Yoder empowers time-pressed, health-conscious home cooks to make delicious meals fast and fuss-free using their air fryers. For those looking to elevate their air-frying game or find thoughtful, budget-friendly gifts, Yoder’s Amazon and Pine & Pepper online stores feature an assortment of cooking tools and resources under $25—many under $10—that simplify air fryer cooking. For those who like precision, the Instant Read Food Thermometer is ideal for checking the internal temperature of meats and other delicate dishes. This little gadget ensures food is cooked perfectly, adding both safety and satisfaction to your meals. Home cooks can also achieve a perfect, light coat of oil without drowning your food in calories with the Mistifi Oil Spray Bottle. This compact sprayer helps evenly distribute oil on foods, making it essential for getting crispy results without excess oil. Plus, it’s easy to refill and looks sleek on any kitchen counter. When cooking with the air fryer, you can say goodbye to stuck-on messes with Yoder’s Premium Air Fryer Liners. These liners keep food from sticking and make cleanup a breeze. They’re especially useful for messier recipes and ensure that your air fryer basket stays in pristine condition. A quick solution to save time, hassle, and scrubbing. She also offers “Cooking with Cathy Yoder” 6-month subscription for live online cooking classes. These help participants learn how to make fast, delicious, and easy air fryer meals in the comfort of their own kitchen. Participants to the live, real-time online classes allow you to actively participate, learn, ask questions, and get premium support. It’s about more than just following a recipe; it’s about having a group of people to share it with.

***** BOOKS *****

Memoir of NFL Legend Vernon Davis: “Playing Ball” (http://www.amazon.com)Exploring the life and legacy of legendary Super Bowl-winning tight end Vernon Davis, his new memoir, “Playing Ball: Life Lessons from My Journey to the Super Bowl and Beyond” is an unforgettable motivational read. The memoir delves into his astonishing career, from winning Super Bowl 50 in 2016 with the Denver Broncos to reinventing himself as an actor and producer. In October 2008, after a San Francisco loss to Seattle, Vernon Davis was put on blast by Coach Mike Singletary in a fiery speech criticizing his “me-myself-and-I attitude.” It proved to be the turning point in Davis’s career, and the inspiration for him to change his mind set and his game plan, as well as his perspective on life and family. In the book, Davis recalls his hard-won lessons—including that infamous press conference—that paved his path to success. With a foreword by NFL Hall of Famer Mike Singletary, Playing Ball provides a candid exploration of Davis’s life, weaving colorful vignettes with hard-won lessons in teamwork, leadership, and resilience. The book digs even deeper, taking readers on an extraordinary journey from his challenging upbringing in Washington, D.C., through the entirety his illustrious 14-year NFL career, to his current success in the entertainment industry. It also addresses critical social issues such as blended families, absentee fathers, parental addiction, and mental health, all while celebrating the transformative power of perseverance and teamwork. Weaving personal reflections with frank, real-world advice, Playing Ball is an eye-opening story of what winning—on the field and off—is all about. Davis’s story is sure to resonate with all who read this moving memoir, particularly among those who enjoy inspiring life stories with historical significance. With over 2.7 million followers across socials, Davis’s popularity—and impact on sports, business and culture—cannot be overstated.

“Easy Air Fryer Recipe Book: Best Airfryer Cookbook Recipes for Beginners to Advanced”(http://www.pineandpepper.co)
Air fryers have quickly become the MVP of modern kitchens, promising crispy, guilt-free meals with minimal effort—but let’s be honest, we’ve all had a “learning curve” moment. Whether it’s soggy fries, overcooked chicken, or accidentally setting off the smoke alarm (oops), mastering the air fryer takes a bit of finesse. Enter Cathy Yoder, widely known as the “Queen of Air Fryers” with nearly 730,000 followers and a wildly popular cookbook titled “Easy Air Fryer Recipe Book: Best Airfryer Cookbook Recipes for Beginners to Advanced.” In it, she not only shares delicious air fryer recipes, but also tips and tricks to help you avoid common pitfalls and unlock the full potential of this kitchen marvel—so your next meal is a success. With 35,000 copies sold, this cookbook helps the reader enjoy quick, easy, healthy, crispy and delicious meals with significantly less oil than frying and bake faster than in the oven. When asked about her own cooking journey, Yoder shared, “I don’t like to cook. But, as a busy mom, I needed a way to put food on the table fast—several times a day.” That’s when the air fryer captivated her heart, mind and palate. Yoder began documenting her experiments with the appliance, discovering that she could make simple, delicious and mostly nutritious meals in minutes. Her relatable videos struck a chord with viewers during the pandemic and, since then, she’s continued to share countless recipes, tips and helpful tools for using an air fryer to its fullest. Today, she’s helping home chefs elevate their air fryer, or gifting, game without breaking the bank, Yoder also offers a curated selection of budget-friendly tools and resources on Amazon and through her online store, Pine & Pepper—the eComm arm of her Empowered Cooks multimedia platform that provides an array of video instruction and other resources specific to the joy of air fryer cooking.

“Leading Performance… Because It Can’t Be Managed: How to Lead the Modern Workforce”(http://www.amazon.com)
Modern employees are tired of command and control management. Employees are looking for personal growth, purpose, and a different lifestyle than prior generations of employees. These employees are in a market where they can have flexibility in how they work and where they work. They want and can demand choices in the work environment. This new workforce must be lead differently. We must lead them with clear expectations that are objective vs subjective and provide the support, tools, and development necessary to grow within our firms. If we do not, they will move on and find growth elsewhere. Great companies will be the ones who find and keep the best talent. “Leading Performance… Because It Can’t Be Managed,” co-authored by Larry G. Linne and Drew Yancey, explains the current work environment, then describes a model of leadership (Reverse Performance Leadership) that provides objective clarity of performance expectations for any position and potentially the first performance management system that builds better managers, leaders, and employees. The real gem is the field guide breaking down every detail of how to create objective expectations, leadership process, compensation, hiring, developmental plans, and success stories to build a custom performance leadership system.

“Dare to Relate: Leading with a Fierce Heart” (https://www.catalystleadershipmgmt.com) In “Dare to Relate: Leading with a Fierce Heart,” trailblazing former federal agency CEO, TEDx speaker and renowned relational leadership expert Cheryl L. Mason, J.D. unveils an unconventional yet highly effective approach to leadership, In it, she challenges the status quo, encouraging leaders to take personal responsibility for their team’s engagement and development. Having been the fourth Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed—and first woman—to serve as the CEO/Chairman of the VA Board of Veterans’ Appeals before founding her Catalyst Leadership Management consultancy for which she serves as CEO, in “Dare to Relate,” Mason provides a refreshing perspective to revolutionize workplace culture and leadership practices to foster a more dynamic, cohesive, productive and effective team environment. Mason is a visionary who has transformed workplace culture and achieved unprecedented results. Thus, unlike conventional leadership training, “Dare to Relate” is written to forge a new path for cultivating strong workforce relationships. It addresses the fundamental principle that employees are people and a company’s most valuable resource. Contemporary leaders often lack the preparedness and essential tools needed to effectively lead today’s workforce. All too often, leaders rely on human resources or personnel management to manage their employees. “Dare to Relate” challenges the status quo, empowering CEOs and other leaders—both established and aspiring—to take personal responsibility for engaging and investing in the people who comprise their workforce. With this book Mason provides a compass for visionary leaders who dare to create an impact.

“Making Healthy Choices – A Story to Inspire Fit, Weight-Wise Kids” (Boys’ and Girls’ Edition) (https://www.amazon.com)
A gift of health for young children that also promotes reading and meaningful family time. The fictional, award-winning illustrated children’s storybook, “Making Healthy Choices – A Story to Inspire Fit, Weight-Wise Kids” (Boys’ and Girls’ Edition) authored by myself, Merilee Kern, is written to motivate ALL kids to make good choices every day for health and wellness? In this first-of-its-kind book, important health themes are “served up” in an easy-to-read style to not only help overweight kids get on a healthy track, but also encourage ALL kids — including those within a healthy weight range — to not only continue making wise lifestyle choices, but also better understand and empathize with peers currently struggling with a weight problem. The story depicts the life of an average overweight American kid as he/she encounters the emotional and physical challenges associated with an adolescent overweight condition. This book’s uniqueness, however, lies with its mission to not only help children recognize the overwhelming amount of cultural influences that adversely impact their ability to make good lifestyle choices, but also lessen the emotional burden of self-blame carried by those who have internalized sole responsibility for having become overweight or obese. Releasing this burden enables these kids to re-focus their emotional and physical energy on making positive, healthful changes in their life. In the end, this is a book of hope that spotlights a representative overweight child who, by better understanding society’s many pressures and influences as well as the importance of living healthfully, achieved his/her goal of living a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. As a prolific lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker, Merilee keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at www.TheLuxeList.com and www.SavvyLiving.tv / Instagram www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / Twitter www.Twitter.com/MerileeKern / Facebook www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***

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Last modified: December 20, 2024