2022 Gift Guide: Top Products That Make Life Better

I’ll be honest. I LOVE gift guides. I want to know about others’ must-have products they can’t live without.

We thought it would be fun to reflect back on the year to highlight products we use that make life better as we head into the holidays. As we pursue FI, we have grown significantly more intentional about what we buy. Because of this, the products and services listed are our “tried and true” go-to’s, meaning we use them consistently and would purchase them again. Please note: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may earn a fee if you make a qualifying purchase through one of the Amazon links on our site that is in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Using our Amazon links does not cost you anything.

Maybe you use this as a gift guide for others, maybe for yourself, or both! No judgement here.

Whether for outdoor enthusiasts, dog-lovers, or RVers, there is something for everyone, including some random nuggets at the end! And, while some products are listed under a certain category, many of our favorite products are generally applicable to all audiences.

For the Outdoor Enthusiast & Hiker

Carhart Waist Pack is perfect for those situations where you want something small and light to throw a few items in, but you don’t need an entire backpack. I love this pack because you can wear it around your waist or across your body, it is so functional! This pack has plenty of space for my phone, a few snacks, tissues, keys, extra poop bags and dog treats, hand sanitizer, my ID, cash, and credit cards with room to spare. Best of all, it costs much less than similar packs by Athleta or Lululemon and comes in different color options. I continue to use it more and more as a substitute for my purse even when I’m not out on the trails.

We don’t go anywhere without our TETON 18L Backpack. We purchased this backpack prior to our 2018 Glacier National Park trip, and it is perfect for a day pack. It has various sized dual zippered compartments, and large pockets on each side that hold our Nalgene bottles. The pack comes with a 2-liter water bladder. I also use this as my personal item when we fly. If you are looking for a great starter backpack without investing a ton of cash, look no further! 

Next up is our invaluable Merrell Moab Mid Waterproof Hiking boots for women and men. We take them everywhere. On our first “hiking trip” we went to the Grand Canyon and Sedona in 2017. I was given good advice to invest in a pair of hiking boots instead of hiking in tennis shoes. One of us was not convinced we needed hiking boots. However once we used them every day on our trip he was convinced (and recently bought a new pair). Our feet and ankles are protected in these boots, plus they have great traction and are waterproof. Merrell makes different versions, such as non-waterproof options, lower ankle options, and various colors to choose from. Note: everyone’s feet are different. So, be sure to get fitted at REI or your local outdoor retailer.

We finally broke down and bought these binoculars after our trip to Glacier where everyone had binoculars and we didn’t. Turns out it’s hard to see wildlife from afar if you don’t bring binoculars! Don’t be like us. Buy binoculars before you head out into nature, whether your local state park or a national park. This pair is compact and fits easily in our backpack. We’ve used them to watch whales breaching on Highway 1 in California, and ironically even zebras on that same drive, now that I think about it. 

This pair of microspikes literally saved our lives on our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. We underestimated how much snow and ice we would hike over during our May visit. We wouldn’t have been able to complete our hikes to Lake Loch and Emerald Lake, or really even Bear Lake, without these microspikes. It’s difficult to understand how well they work until you use them. They quickly strap on over our hiking boots for easy on and off. I thought they would be uncomfortable to hike in, but we had no issues. I wanted to give all the people we saw hiking in tennis shoes (even flip flops!) a pair. If you hike in ice or snow, these are a must.

Nalegene bottles are simple and amazing. If you are looking for low cost gift look no further. These bottles are tough, have never leaked, and do not hold odor. I also love the fact you can put them in the freezer to help keep liquids cold. We prefer the 32 oz wide mouth version, but there are all different sizes and so many fun colors. This could be a great stocking stuffer if you fill with candies or some other small outdoor-related items .

We have used the heck out of these Cascade Mountain Hiking Poles, especially in Glacier National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. I will say at first I didn’t like using hiking poles, but once you get the hang of it they make a huge difference in support and safety when you are out on the trails. These are particularly convenient because they collapse and easily fit in suitcases if you are flying. I’m 5’2 and Mr. is 6’3, and they are adjustable enough to work for us both. If you are a newbie hiker these are a great starter pair of hiking poles for the price.

For RVers

We purchased our RV in March 2021, and we have learned so much since then regarding what RV items actually make life better (and safer!). If you are thinking about the RV lifestyle, these are the products we recommend.

Turkish Towels are a game changer! When you travel in an RV you quickly learn space is limited. For our first year RVing we used old, regular bath towels during our weekend and week-long trips. Once we decided to spend one month on the road in our RV, it dawned on me the old towels took up so much space, and took forever to dry! We ordered these colorful towels and haven’t looked back. It’s nice to have different colors so we always know which towel to use. They are light, take up a quarter of the space of the old bath towels, and dry so fast! It’s easy to throw a couple in the car because you never know when you may need a towel. Or, they can double as a scarf or sarong… Functional and versatile, friends!

These Sleep Zone Cooling sheets are less than $30 for a Queen set! We have a regular Queen mattress with a topper in our RV and these sheets fit perfectly. I’m frequently hot overnight, but these are cool and soft, and they don’t stick to my pajamas.  Pro tip: We’ve learned to keep more than one set of sheets with us when we travel, just in case a muddy dog jumps on the bed… Or some other situation where we need a change of sheets. 

This year we upgraded to a keyless RVLock. Why is this an upgrade I need, you ask? Do you ever misplace keys, or are the keys often where you are not when you need them? This brilliant device solves the problem by using a keypad code to easily lock and unlock your RV. We no longer have to worry about where the key is. It is also helpful from a safety perspective too. We have a dog who does stay in the RV alone at times. If an emergency (weather, fire, etc.) were to happen and we weren’t there physically to get our dog out, we can post our cell phone numbers and then could provide the code over the phone for someone else to access the RV and get the pup out.

We slept in our new RV on the original mattress one night before we ordered this replacement queen size Lucid mattress. We are not willing to sacrifice a good night’s sleep, especially when we continue to travel for longer periods in our RV. We are lucky that our travel trailer accommodates a full size queen mattress, because not all do. Make sure you do your research for your particular RV before you click “add to cart.”

We have learned so much about RVing over the past two seasons, and we can attest to the value of the LevelMatePro Wireless RV Leveling System and the Anderson 2-Pack Leveler System. Using these these systems is the fastest and most efficient way to ensure your RV is level. While you’d think most campsites are level, that is not what we have experienced. The LevelMatePro connects to your smartphone so you know what side to make adjustments on. The Anderson levelers are easy to place under the tires and help you gradually adjust one side or the other with the way you roll up on them. These items make RV life better.

Tire pressure is very important, even more so when you are towing an RV. This Tymate Tire Pressure Monitoring System is less expensive than other popular brands and works like a charm. The system comes with 6 external sensors, and a display unit for your vehicle. Needless to say maintaining proper tire pressure is very important from a safety perspective when you are rolling down the highway. Every time I get inside a car I am now programmed to ask about tire pressure. 

In preparation for our month-long RV road trip earlier this year, we purchased this Wireless HD Backup Camera. This is a surprise purchase that certainly makes life easier and safer. We thought the main purpose of the camera would be to help us back up. In reality, the main purpose is to be able to see what’s behind you when you are traveling down the road. With the camera we can see other vehicles and semis, which helps us make safer lane changes, etc. This device has brought us more peace of mind when we travel.

Last but not least, my husband is obsessed with these propane tank sensors to help monitor how much propane is in our tanks. The sensors send the tank level information to your device via Bluetooth. Knowing our tank levels decreases our anxiety especially when we are out in our RV in cold weather and need to run our furnace. These sensors would be an awesome gift for any RVer or really anyone who uses propane regularly such as grilling, propane fire pit, etc.

For Your Dog

After losing our Westie of 11 years in October 2021, in January 2022 we brought home a mini Goldendoodle puppy. Here are some items that have made life better during the intense puppy phase.

This Chuck It Mat for dogs is a perfect dog bed for a pup on the go. It’s super lightweight, machine washable, and easily folds up into a small bag for storage or transport. Our pup still (even at 1 year!) enjoys tearing things up, so we are using this as a dog bed instead of a more expensive option. It’s versatile too, from training class to sitting outside of our RV. Our pup hasn’t destroyed it yet, despite loving to dig at things! 

Our Westie had no interest in hiking or exploring. We are so happy our “adventure pup” loves to travel and get outside with us. This pet water bottle is a no-brainer when we are out and about. The top part folds into a bowl and you squeeze the water into the bowl for your pet to drink. This water bottle is lightweight, and fits nicely in a pocket of our hiking backpack, or in the cup holders in our truck. No leaks, and it goes with us wherever we go.

If our adventure pup could talk, he would definitely encourage you to buy these Nudges Grillers dog treats. Our trainer introduced us to these treats. These are especially great for puppies when you are training and using positive reinforcement constantly. The treats are soft so you can tear off very tiny pieces to avoid giving your dog a gazillion treats a day. This brand also offers a jerky version, which our pup also enjoys.

This 2 Hounds Freedom No-Pull Harness was another win recommended by our trainer. This harness helps a ton to prevent our pup from pulling while on walks. The design of the harness actually turns your dog back towards you if they pull. We are big fans, and can tell a difference when we walk with just a collar on vs the harness.  If you struggle with your dog pulling, check this harness out. 

If you have a doodle or any other high maintenance dog that needs to be brushed on the daily, check out this Tuffer than Tangles Slicker Brush. Recommended by a doodle grooming expert, it is far more affordable than the other slicker brushes we had heard about. I cannot tell you our pup loves his daily brush session, but I can tell a big difference in how the brush gets through his coat and keeps him mat-free.

Miscellaneous Honorable Mentions

I can’t finish this off without sharing a couple other things that didn’t fit into the categories above, but still make life better for us.

Over the past year I’ve loved this journal. It’s simple and small. The cover makes me happy. There are many cover options to choose from (and most are $15 or less!). It’s easy to toss in my purse, and lays fairly flat. There is a placeholder and a spot to put your pen. It’s nice to have something to grab and jot down thoughts, your weekly to-do list, doodles, or however you want to use it.

If you’ve gotten this far, thank you!

The final service that makes my life better… I rave about my Peloton membership to anyone who will listen. I discovered Peloton in the midst of 2020 during the height of the COVID pandemic when we were all at home. I used the membership first for meditation because I struggled falling asleep. However, I quickly discovered the breadth of amazing class categories offered (strength training, yoga, walking, running, cycling, bootcamps, meditation, stretching, etc.) and their incredible instructors (Jess Sims, Adrian Willis, Jess King, etc. come to mind).

Most importantly, I don’t have a Peloton bike, tread, or any other Peloton equipment. I simply pay $15/month for their app membership and use our Amazon Fire to partake in the classes from the tv in our home gym using our non-Peloton treadmill and free weights. I can also access classes via the Peloton app on my phone, so my membership is useful even when I travel. Long story short, you do not need a fancy, expensive Peloton bike or tread to take their classes.

I know taking classes alone at home isn’t for everyone, but this is a fabulous option for me and I love it. Seriously, check it out.
Note: this is simply me raving about Peloton–we get no kickback if you get a membership.

I hope this gift guide gave you some inspiration. If you have any questions about the products listed, drop a comment below. If you already have any of the products listed, let me know if you love them too!

Coming soon on the blog: a guide to Yosemite National Park!