All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life

Episode: 2025 Holiday Gift Guide and Ways to Save This Season

Host: Chris Hutchins
Date: November 19, 2025

Overview

In this jam-packed Holiday Gift Guide episode, Chris Hutchins, joined by his wife Amy and insights from the All the Hacks community, delivers an 80+ gift mega-list for 2025 across tech, kitchen, home, health, games, learning, and more. With each item, Chris stays true to his philosophy of maximizing happiness and value while minimizing cost—sharing genuine recommendations, notable community suggestions, and actionable money-saving tactics to avoid overpaying this season. The episode closes with a discussion on meaningful holiday traditions and creative approaches to family gifting that prioritize connection over consumerism.

Key Discussion Points & Gift Recommendations

1. Personal Technology ([01:56]–[11:21])

• Mod Retro Chromatic: Modern Game Boy clone, "so well built…bring this on all the trips I take" ([02:20])
• Bambu Labs 3D Printers: A1 Mini (budget), A1 (mid), P1S Combo (all-in-one, "would probably recommend," $549), "excited to have one of these" ([03:37])
• Moft Magnetic Wallet Stand: Minimalist, MagSafe iPhone wallet/stand; Chris’s everyday carry ([04:23])
• Anker MagSafe MagGo Charging Stand: Charges iPhone + AirPods, "I have this on my desk" ([04:48])
• Anker Prime Power Bank: Built-in charger—“power plugs built in…such an important feature for me” ([05:07])
• Travel Adapters: Vintar International Power Adapter ("really simple and easy to use, hot switch"), Magic Super Bagel ("super small…looks really amazing," cable built in) ([05:39], [07:05])
• AirTags / AirPods Pro 3: "Fantastic gift to help make sure you don’t lose your bags" and "noise cancellation is just amazing" ([07:16], [07:47])
• Synology NAS (Network Attached Storage): DS923+ for home backup and cloud sync ([08:52])
• DJI Osmo Pocket 3: "Tiny, amazing 4K camera…so much easier to film with than it is to use an iPhone" ([10:00])
• Insta360 X5: 360° immersive camera—Chris is intrigued but hasn’t purchased yet ([10:45])

“If you know someone that likes gaming or even retro gaming, the Mod Retro Chromatic is an awesome gift.” – Chris ([02:29])

2. Kitchen, Food & Drink ([14:17]–[29:41])

• Air Fryers: Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze ("surprised at how much we use this") + Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro for countertop oven need, but standalone air fryer preferred ([15:13])
• Ninja Creami: Healthy, high-protein or pure fruit ice cream – "the taste of this ice cream…is so good" ([16:31])
• Countertop Griddle: "French toast, quesadillas, pancakes…smash burgers…we use it all the time" ([17:39])
• Waring Belgian Waffle Maker: “It just makes things so much easier.” ([18:01])
• Ooni Pizza Oven: "Great gift for an entire family" ([18:38])
• Instant Pot: Community member favorite – pressure, slow, sauté, and more ([19:29])
• Ratio Coffee Maker (pour-over): "Makes great pour-over coffee in one go…beautiful countertop device" ([19:58])
• Breville Bambino Espresso Machine / Ninja 12-cup Brewer: Member suggestions for different coffee enthusiasts ([20:58])
• Coffee Subscriptions: Trade Coffee, Atlas Coffee Club as gifts ([21:14])
• Vitamix Blender: "Most recommended products in our community…just works so well" ([21:49])
• Immersion Blender: For soups and sauces, blend in pot ([22:12])
• Thermomix: "Craziest thing…combines food processor, pressure cooker, rice cooker, sous vide, etc.—$1500 but incredible" ([22:31])
• Ninja Personal/BlendJet Portable Blender: Battery powered, on-the-go blending ([25:05])
• Cordless Hand Mixer: "Cordless hand mixer, great gift for mom" ([25:45])
• Cookware: Wide-ranging suggestions—nonstick, stainless, carbon steel, "recommended most: Our Place" ([27:19])
• Coravin Wine Preserver: Argon gas system lets you enjoy wine by the glass ([28:27])
• Zalto Wine Glasses: High-end glassware, makes wine taste/feel special ([29:03])
• Ember Mug: "Keeps your coffee warm…company replaced it when it broke" ([29:41])
• Stocking Stuffers: Dash Rapid Egg Cooker, Cuisinart Smash Burger kit, Chef’s Press, indoor herb garden kits, hot sauce challenge sets, Cocktail Codex book, coupe glasses ([32:26])
• Cooking Info Subscriptions: NYT Cooking, Cooks Illustrated magazines ([34:12])
• Lentiful: High-protein, flavorful instant lentils; “we eat them all the time” ([35:42])

“A burger on the grill is just holds nothing to a smash burger cooked on a griddle.” – Chris ([32:26])

3. Home and Everyday Living ([36:44]–[44:37])

• Eight Sleep Smart Mattress/Pad: "Most recommended gift…love our Eight Sleep…sleep is so important" ([36:44])
• Purple Harmony Pillow: Top pillow pick from members ([37:11])
• Dyson Cordless Vacuum: “Love this vacuum…best thing we’ve added” ([37:41])
• Toto Washlet: Japanese bidet seat – "incredible, heated seat, water, dryer" ([38:16])
• Aura Digital Photo Frames: “Every family in our immediate family…has an Aura frame…software is what really makes it amazing.” ([39:00])
• Storyworth: Send questions to loved ones, compile into a book ([40:22])
• Barefoot Dreams Blanket: Super soft throw (with cheaper dupe option) ([40:45])
• Govee TV Lights & Nanoleaf Tiles: Smart, accent mood lighting ([41:29])
• Dyson Air Straight: Hair dryer and straightener ([42:29])
• Norelco Philips OneBlade360: Member-recommended shaving gadget Chris wants to try ([42:47])
• Flextail Gear Mini Air Pump: Tiny, battery-powered for travel, pool toys, vacuum bags ([43:17])

4. Clothing & Accessories ([44:37]–[49:52])

• Vuori Clothing: "Number one recommendation for me…wear almost every day" – joggers, shirts, shorts ([44:38])
• Bonobos Shirts: Dress/casual shirts with playful patterns ([45:02])
• Quince Cashmere: Quarter zip sweater ("comfortable, warm"), cashmere beanies ([45:21])
• Patagonia NanoPuff Jackets: Lightweight, warm, packable ([45:45])
• Arcade AI: Custom AI-designed jewelry, home goods ([46:32])
• Gorjana/Maya Brenner Initials Necklace: For mothers—personalized jewelry ([47:11])
• Quince Gold Jewelry: Classic, simple pieces ([47:27])
• Elzama Infinity Loop Scarf: With hidden zipper pocket ([47:45])
• Bombas Socks / Goodr Sunglasses: Stocking stuffer favorites ([48:44])

5. Travel, Bags & Shoes ([51:21]–[55:29])

• Luggage: Away, Monos, Solgaard – all recommended but no standout winner ([51:34])
• Weekender Bags: Cotopaxi 35L (Amy’s pick), Tortuga for backpacks ([52:11])
• 5050 Gear Diaper Bags: Functional, not "diaper bag" style ([52:54])
• Kuyana Medium Travel Case: Gift with monogram ([53:26])
• Cotopaxi Nido Accessory Bag: "Go to toiletry kit" ([53:37])
• Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable Backpack / North Face Crossbody: For day trips or travel ([54:13])
• Nike Pegasus 41s & Vaporfly 3s: Running shoes for different needs ([54:56])
• Birkenstock Arizona Essentials: Waterproof family favorite ([55:12])
• On Running Cloudsurfer: Amy’s daily sneakers ([55:17])

6. Health & Fitness ([55:29]–[66:36])

• Shokz OpenRun Pro Headphones: Open-ear for safe outdoor running ([55:35])
• Athleta Pacesetter Run Belt: "So much better" than old running belts ([56:15])
• Owala Freesip Water Bottle: Both spout and straw option ([56:38])
• Adjustable Dumbbells & Bench: Bowflex, Flybird Bench – plus dumbbell-to-barbell converter ([57:03])
• Mirrors for Home Gym: Simple, effective, "surprisingly easy upgrade" ([58:07])
• Dumbbells: Non-adjustable for quick swaps; "nice to just have different sets" ([58:23])
• Lab Tests & Health Panels: Ideas for functional gifts—Ulta Lab, Dexa scan, PerNuvo (MRI), etc. ([60:45])
• Pulse Oximeter: “Such an easy, vital sign to test at home” ([63:47])
• Electrolyte Packets (Element): Perfect stocking stuffer ([64:44])
• Nice Hand Soap (Aesop or Element Brooklyn): "Just elevated the entire experience" ([65:14])
• Inflatable SUP Boards: Great for families near water ([65:47])
• Home Sauna & Cold Plunge: Major luxury/high-end category ([66:07])
• Goruck Rucksack: Add weight to daily walks ([66:35])

7. Games & Learning – For All Ages ([66:36]–[73:19])

• Escape Room-Inspired Games: Theory11’s Box One/Two, Coyote (Tim Ferriss x Exploding Kittens), Coup, Monopoly Deal ([66:44])
• Puzzles & Clue Boxes: Clue Box, Puzzle Potato for problem/puzzle lovers ([67:47])
• LEGO Kits for Adults: “Such a fun project…felt like such a kid again building Legos” ([68:44])
• Kids’ Toys: UKI learner skateboard, Melissa & Doug wooden sets, Tony box/Yoto box (audio story players), Jellycat stuffed animals ([69:18])
• Lovevery Montessori Play Kits: Subscription, "really love them" ([70:05])
• Board Games for Kids: Monopoly Junior, Battleship, Candyland ([70:22])
• Woom Bikes & Helmets: For teaching kids to ride ([70:57])
• Micro Kickboard Scooters: "They are just barreling down the street" ([71:16])
• Lakeshore Trace & Draw Projector: Build drawing confidence, "such an amazing way" ([71:48])
• LeapFrog Magic Adventures Globe: "Learning about the world with a real globe" ([72:09])
• Masterclass: Lifetime learning, “such a great gift for parents” ([73:07])
• Books: Peter Attia’s Outlive, Nick Maggi’s The Wealth Ladder, Sahil Bloom’s The Five Types of Wealth, Magic Treehouse series (for kids) ([73:38])

“LEGO kits for adults…This is a guy in his 70s. Like this is not Legos for kids.” – Chris ([68:44])

8. How to Save Money on Holiday Shopping

([73:48]–[85:50])

Chris’s Money-Saving Toolbox:

• Keepa Extension: Amazon price tracking ([73:48])
• Savewise / Cashback Monitor: Compare shopping portals for best rewards ([74:10])
• Capital One Shopping: “Sometimes are just wildly unrivaled…seen 20% off 8 Sleep, 30% off…” ([77:12])
• Rakuten: Easiest portal, team up with Amex or Bilt for points, $50 intro bonus ([77:55])
• CardPointers: Syncs all your Amex/Chase/etc. card-linked offers for max stacking ([78:57])
• Discounted Gift Cards: GCX, plus Chris’s short-term access to “wholesale” gift card rates ([81:34])
• Promo Codes: Try host/podcast codes, RetailMeNot, Honey, and direct website chats ([84:38])

“I’ve saved thousands of dollars to date on offers…probably would have missed out on almost all of them if it weren’t for CardPointers.” – Chris ([79:57])

9. Creating Meaningful Traditions & Non-Gift Memories

([85:50]–[end])

• Family Pajamas: Matching Christmas sleepwear for photos (from Hanna Andersson using discounted gift cards) ([86:00])
• Unique Family Games: DIY beer-pong-style game with silly prizes ([86:10])
• Ornament Exchange: One per family member for a meaningful mishmash tree ([86:24])
• Cookie Decorating Party & Toy Drive: Making baking and giving a community event ([86:40])
• Moments of Gratitude: Daily or holiday ritual of expressing thanks ([86:48])
• Limit Gifting for Siblings: "If we’re not spending time together, none of our siblings give each other gifts." ([87:16])

"If we are spending time together, we just designate one gift from one family to the other…put a lot more thought into one bigger ticket thing for everyone." – Chris ([87:23])

Notable Quotes

• “If you know someone that likes gaming or even retro gaming, the Mod Retro Chromatic is an awesome gift.” ([02:29] – Chris)
• “All of these clothing items…are fantastic gifts because I use them all the time. Like everything I’m mentioning, I wear regularly.” ([45:51] – Chris)
• “If you’re going to go on a walk around the neighborhood, why not throw on some weight and get a little more exercise out of the experience?” ([66:35] – Chris)
• “Hopefully you found some interesting gifts you wouldn’t have found otherwise. But…the holidays…are about a lot more than gifts.” ([85:50] – Chris)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Personal Tech: [01:56]–[11:21]
• Kitchen/Food & Drink: [14:17]–[29:41]
• Home & Everyday Living: [36:44]–[44:37]
• Clothing & Accessories: [44:37]–[49:52]
• Bags & Shoes: [51:21]–[55:29]
• Health & Fitness: [55:29]–[66:36]
• Games & Learning: [66:36]–[73:19]
• Ways to Save: [73:48]–[85:50]
• Family Traditions: [85:50]–[end]

Tone & Language

Chris’s delivery is practical, energetic, and affable—equal parts life hacker, family man, and deal-finder. He freely admits his own product obsessions, pivots between his and Amy’s favorites, and brings in real crowd-sourced wisdom from listeners. His language is direct and full of actionable details: links, prices, user experiences, and comparison points abound. The episode remains fun, conversational, and grounded in real-life family moments, always circling back to maximizing joy and connection—whether through smart shopping or simple shared moments.

For the Listener

Whether you’re building your own wishlist, hunting for unique gifts, or seeking to save big, this episode provides a comprehensive, expertly organized playbook—complete with actionable hacks, community insights, and a heartwarming approach to the season’s deeper values. For links, deals, and the full written gift guide, visit AllTheHacks.com/gifts.

“In the spirit of that, if you have any suggestions for interesting gift ideas that I didn’t mention, please send them over. I’m always looking to expand this list.” – Chris ([87:43])