The pandemic changed our daily lives in uncomfortable ways, and even as it wanes we may benefit from a little retail therapy. From small splurges to big-ticket buys, from self-love to shameless indulgences, we've rounded up a slew of guilty-pleasure purchases for when you need something to help keep you going.
Prices and availability are subject to change. Christine Clark also contributed to this story.
$11 from Bed Bath & Beyond
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There's a reason our readers keep buying this mug warmer. because a piping-hot cup of coffee is one of life's most universal pleasures. Save yourself from schlepping to the microwave again and again with this little gizmo.
Related: Top-Rated Products on Amazon for Working From Home and Remote Learning
Starting at $99 from Amazon
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If belting out a tune in the shower helps you get hyped for the day, consider this clever showerhead an investment in your mental health. It's magnetic, holding the waterproof wireless speaker securely while you wash up. Not done performing? Pop out the speaker and take it with you.
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Starting at $330 from Amazon
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Brooklinen has become internet-famous for its next-level sheets, which earn customer praise as "the best set of sheets I have bought" and "very soft sheets, hotel quality." To really upgrade your bed and get a good night's sleep, these may be the ticket.
Related: The Best Ikea Mattresses
$139 from Bed Bath & Beyond
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A nice warm towel is the ultimate indulgence, especially during the colder months. Bring a little bit of that spa feeling to your bathroom with this gadget, capable of heating your towel to a luxurious temperature in the time it takes you to shower.
Starting at $32 from Kiehl's
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Longtime devotees swear that Kiehl's is worth the extra cash, and this skin cream for all skin types is one of the brand's most beloved offerings. The non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and hydrates all day long.
Related: We Tried 7 Lotions for Dry Skin and This is the Best
$25 from Amazon
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We don't typically recommend single-use appliances, but there's a reason this one is so beloved. And if it saves you from buying a few McMuffins a week, then it will be a money-saver — and time-saver — after all.
$15 from Masterclass
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Some schools and colleges may still be closed, but the internet is always open. Dive into a subject with instructors such as Vogue's Anna Wintour, food icon Alice Waters, comedian Steve Martin, and more.
Related: 11 Online Cooking Classes to Sharpen Your Skills While Stuck at Home
$249 from Amazon
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Many of us have gotten used to entertainment and home — and feel like we deserve cinema-quality sound in our living rooms. This compact sound bar won't eat up too much space, and Bluetooth makes for easy control.
$79 from L.L.Bean
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You'll only feel guilty spending big on these slippers until you realize they're made to last for years, with a combination of genuine sheepskin and shearling that is as soft and warm as it is durable.
Related: Stores With Comfortable Clothes That You Can Wear for Years
$49 from Cratejoy
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This cocktail subscription comes with ingredients and instructions to make four drinks each month, from alcohol, bitters, and syrup to dry fruit, honey, juice, or seltzer. Customer reviews say the cocktails are delicious, creative, and easy to make.
Related: 15 Best Tequilas Under $30 a Bottle for Your Home Bar
$140 from Amazon
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We have it on good authority that ice cream is 100% calorie free if you make it yourself. This sleek chrome gizmo makes up to 2 quarts of ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, or sorbet, and includes an LCD control panel and countdown timer.
Related: Relive Your Childhood By Making These Classic Ice Cream Truck Treats
$20 for 12 from Omaha Steaks
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If Kraft slapped on some Wonderbread just isn't doing it for you anymore, try these decadent mini sandwiches made with Maine lobster, a four-cheese blend, and a French baguette. They heat up in minutes, no meal prep required.
Related: Ways to Make an Ordinary Grilled Cheese Extraordinary
$545 from SmartFurniture
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A quality office chair really is worth the investment, and this Herman Miller might be the best compromise between budget and comfort. It's also extraordinarily easy on the eyes.
Related: Stylish Office Chairs That Won't Break the Bank (or Your Back)
$60 from Amazon
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If you're looking for comfort TV right now and don't want to pony up for HBO Max, rewatching "Friends" by way of this box set will save you money in the long run, so why not indulge?
$99 from Amazon
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This Oprah-approved lounger is exactly the kind of thing that lazy days at home demand. Made of heathered ribbed fabric, it's slumber-ready on its own, or can be paired with leggings or jeans and do a credible impression of a sweater if you need to hop on a Zoom call.
Related: Pajamas, Sweats, and Leisurewear Perfect for Working at Home
$197 from Amazon
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Noise cancellation and a customizable fit are just the tip of the iceberg with AirPods Pro. They're also sweat- and water-resistant, and their wireless charging case offers more than 24 hours of battery life.
$280 from Costco
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Burgeoning chefs need pots and pans to make their gourmet dreams come true. This set is oven safe to 500 degrees, induction ready, and loved by customers for cooking evenly.
Starting at $9 per person from Hello Fresh
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Why feel guilty? It's not takeout and you're still doing the cooking, but you get to avoid the grocery store. Even better, you can skip a week or cancel without getting hassled.
Related: 19 Meal Kits and Delivery Services to Get You Out of Your Dinner Rut
$138.50 from Amazon
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If you're caffeine-obsessed, upgrading your coffee maker is surely a justifiable splurge. The Keurig K-Café does it all: coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, shots and strong brews. It brews four cup sizes and has a large water reservoir that will require less refilling.
$20 from Amazon
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Binge watch like a champ with this armrest organizer. There's a spot for the remote, your phone, a drink, snacks — basically, everything you need to make sure you don't ever have to hit "pause."
Starting at $53 from Amazon
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You may not need another reason to stay in bed, but guilty-pleasure purchases aren't always about needs, right? This mattress pad can be preheated before you hop into bed, and it's even machine washable.
Related: Turn Your Bed Into the Ultimate Winter Cocoon With These Products
$25 a month from Cratejoy
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If you're going whole hog (excuse the pun) into grilling, perhaps you could use a monthly box of grilling help. This subscription ships at the start of every month, and comes with four pit-master-approved grilling products such as rubs, spices, sauces, wood chips, and grilling accessories.
Related: 17 Places to Order Pork, Steaks, and Other Meats Online
$8 from Amazon
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Bring that indulgent spa feeling to the shower with this manual brush. It's easy to grip and has silicone bristles that reviewers say feel amazing and help ensure shampoo makes it all the way down to their roots.
$400 from Crate & Barrel
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There's a reason this mixer has made generations of bakers swoon — it's just that good. For those cookies, cakes, and breads you're whipping up, this KitchenAid mixer with a glass bowl will come in handy.
Related: 20 Essential Baking Tools That Every Aspiring Pastry Chef Needs
$60 from Amazon
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Enjoy a deep-tissue massage any time you want, for roughly the price of just one professional treatment. With three speeds and six attachments, it can provide customized relief just about any place you're feeling sore.
$65 from Bloomscape
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A little greenery can elevate the mood. This trio of low-maintenance plants is practically indestructible, saving you from the guilt of tossing yet another brown-leaved victim of negligence.
Related: Tips for a Flourishing Indoor Garden
$90 from Amazon
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If you find yourself on a lot of Zoom calls, you're likely looking for tops that are comfortable but professional. Cashmere seems like the perfect intersection, and this is a reasonably priced option.
Starting at $8 from SnackCrate
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Got a sweet tooth? SnackCrate brings a globe's worth of treats to your front door, from Japanese Kit Kats to Filipino Skyflakes, no passport or germy airplane rides required.
$200 from Amazon
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This Cosori oven is a space-saver in more than one way. With 12 functions in one, it can air fry, roast, broil, bake, toast, dehydrate, and more, replacing other small appliances.
$23 from Amazon
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Spending big on socks may seem frivolous, but there's a reason these get near-perfect ratings. Owners say the blend of merino, nylon, and lycra keeps their feet warm, dry, and ultra-comfortable, all while standing up to plenty of abuse.
$45 from Bed, Bath & Beyond
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Make taming that quarantine hair a little easier with this cult-favorite hot air brush. Reviewers say it makes salon-perfect hair attainable at home and is far easier to manage than a traditional hair dryer.
$130 from Amazon
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This multifunctional gizmo is more than an alarm clock: It's light therapy, it's a sound machine, and it's a reading light. You can even personalize your own sleep-wake routine (and maybe ditch that crabby morning mood).
$79 a month from Goldbelly
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Goldbelly can bring the best of the nation's restaurants right to your door. From pizza to barbecue to cheesecake, this is one indulgence that will be very easy to stomach.
Related: Beloved Local Eats That Can Be Shipped to Your Doorstep
$497 from Walmart
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There's no reason to hem and haw about investing your health. This bike will pay itself off in less than a year compared with a typical gym membership, and it's only about one-fourth of the price of a Peloton.
Related: Which At-Home Exercise System Burns Calories Fastest?
Starting at $111 from Amazon
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If you're still working from home, a standing desk converter can help keep your circulation flowing throughout the day. Customer reviews call this one sturdy and well-designed.
$22 from Sur La Table
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This colorful whisk is a breath of fresh air in that otherwise utilitarian drawer of kitchen tools. The silicone wires are gentle enough for vigorous use with nonstick cookware, too.
$110 from Amazon
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An Echo makes all the little things easier, such as turning off appliances that don't need to be in use, reading you the news, checking the weather, and setting alarms. It can also help you keep in touch with distant family and friends with video calls.
Related: How Alexa and Other Virtual Assistants Can Help Seniors
$55 to $89 from Athleta
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For a piece this versatile, it might be worth spending a little extra. Layer it for warmth or extra coverage, whether you want to cover up before or after a workout, or throw something a little more presentable on top of a T-shirt before your next work call.
$50 from Amazon
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A personal neck massage might be the gold standard for sore muscles, but this massager is a good stand-in. It has four deep-kneading, rotating nodes, soothing heat, and an automatic 20-minute shutoff for safety.
$90 from Amazon
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If you don't already have a great pot for soups, stews, roasts, and other comfort food, this Dutch oven is the way to go. Reviewers praise its investment quality at a lower price than other brands.
Related: 40 Cheap and Easy One-Pot Meals
$175 from Wine Insiders
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While you plan your trip to Napa, you can savor in advance some of California's best wines with this curated 12-bottle case. There's something for everyone, from a flowery moscato to a full-bodied zinfandel.
Related: 20 Affordable Wine Clubs That Will Satisfy Even the Snobs
Starting at $42.50 from Quility
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All weighted blankets are not created equal. Made with seven durable layers and specially reinforced stitching, this one will help you de-stress for the long haul.
$16.50 from Amazon
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This artist set might result in amateurish work — or prove you to be the next Picasso or Frida Kahlo. There's only one way to find out.
Starting at $100 for three months from Harry & David
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You probably wouldn't think twice about gifting fancy food to others, but how about gifting yourself? Each month brings a delectable treat such as chocolate truffles, pears or peaches, or mixed nuts and gourmet popcorn.
$350 from Amazon
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Maybe you have ambitions to make green smoothies, hot soups, ice cream, and more. The Vitamix is the most coveted of blenders, and customer reviews say this one works well, isn't too loud, and is easy to clean.
Starting at $36 a month from The Bouqs
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A beautiful bouquet of flowers is a classic way to brighten your day. Show yourself a little love with a fresh crop of the best seasonal blooms every month.
$5 from Lush
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Bath bombs are the ultimate indulgence — they don't do a whole lot but fizz and smell nice, and sometimes, that's just fine. Lush makes some of the best bath bombs around, and this one has a classic vanilla scent that might even make you a little hungry.
$60 from ManCrates
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Bacon might be the ultimate culinary guilty pleasure. Here's a great way to indulge those shamelessly carnivorous cravings, from bacon jerky to bacon jam.
$60 from Amazon
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This unisex hoodie is exactly as advertised: Giant, cozy, and ready for lounging, but with a little more style and swagger than a Snuggie.
$68 from Vosges
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Why wait on someone else to buy you a fancy box of chocolates? This delectable array of high-end treats inspired by the ancient Egyptians will make you feel like royalty.
