Why Creating A Holiday Gift Registry Will Make Your Season Brighter

The holidays are supposed to be about food, family and fun but someone needs to cultivate that Christmas magic—and we’re betting that lands on you. Between planning the menu, decorating the tree, baking cookies and wrapping gifts, you might be feeling like a bit of a Grinch. But that’s no way to celebrate. This year, hand the gift-giving over to Santa’s elves—or at least the next best thing.

We’re all familiar with the struggle to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list; but luckily that process has been made so much easier. Start a new holiday tradition by setting up an Amazon Gift Registry for each member of your family. All that’s left to do is browse through their wish list and pick something within your budget. (And trust us, you’ll love this tradition so much you’ll want to continue it for birthdays, graduations and every other one of life’s celebratory moments.)

For the gift giver, it’s an easy one-stop shop where you’ll find the perfect present that you can have wrapped and delivered straight to the recipient. (We told you it’s like having your own team of elves!) Not only does it eliminate the stress of researching what someone might like, but it also means you don’t have to navigate the lineups or parking lots at the mall. You can ask your nearest and dearest to share their Amazon Gift Registry to fill this holiday season with laughter and joy.

If you’re the giftee, hooray! You already know you’ll get something you love and want, and you won’t end up with multiples. If you changed your mind, that’s OK, too; just mail it back and pick something else instead. And the online registry keeps track of who bought what, so it’s easy to express your gratitude. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Head over to Amazon now and create your wish list for the best Christmas and New Year ever. Not sure where to start? Here are some of our top picks:

For the new homeowner

This Pyrex 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set really earns its keep. Whether you’re making your morning smoothie or prepping dinner, these durable cups are a kitchen staple thanks to their easy-to-read markings and easy-pour handles and spouts. Plus, they’re freezer-, dishwasher-, microwave- and preheated-oven-friendly.

For the home baker

Brownies and muffins and cheesecakes—oh my! You can whip up any of these treats and more thanks to this Amazon Basics 6-Piece Bakeware Set. The heavyweight steel construction distributes heat evenly, and the non-stick (PFA-free!) coating means your cookie jar will never be empty.

For the outdoor enthusiast

Embrace the #cozyseason and elevate your exterior space with these Outdoor LED String Lights that’ll give you the warm and fuzzies. The shatterproof and waterproof bulbs are dimmable, so you can set the perfect scene all year long. (Friends and fire pit not included but highly recommended.)

For the busy bee

No time? No problem! You can still look your best thanks to this Conair GS38NXC Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Fabric Steamer. It heats up in just 40 seconds and holds enough water for 15 minutes of continuous steam. It also has a quilted aluminum plate to ensure a fresh-pressed look that will have you out the door early enough to grab a coffee.

For the hostess with the mostest

Enjoy a homemade brunch from the comfort of your home with this non-stick Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker. It offers six browning settings so you can cook to perfection. Whether you’re craving a sweet or savoury topping, you can count on the perfect waffle: crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

For the minimalist

Whether you live in a small space or just prefer clutter-free countertops, this Breville Mini Smart Oven is truly the appliance that does it all. It offers eight cooking functions—including bake, toast, broil and roast—so that you can enjoy avocado toast, artisanal pizza and homemade chocolate chip cookies.

For the neat freak

Are you looking for a lightweight vacuum that really sucks (but doesn't suck)? Zip around for up to 120 minutes with this bagless Dyson Outsize Total Clean Cordless Vacuum that works on all floor types. We also love that it comes with a mounted charging dock, vanes to detangle hair and fur as you clean it, and a six-layer filtration system (and more!).

For the whole family

If you have a lot of mouths to feed, then this deep-dish nonstick Black+Decker Electric Skillet will surely win your heart. The large tray, which can heat up to 400 F, comes with a glass lid and sits on a cool-touch base. And clean-up is a breeze; just give it a wipe and you can move on to dessert.

For the dorm-room dweller

Whether they’re preparing a simple grilled cheese or an Italian panini, this compact George Foreman 2-Serving Indoor Grill and Panini Press is exactly what any busy college student needs. It’s small enough to tuck away into a cupboard but offers high-quality non-stick cooking plates that are free from PFAs. Adjust the cooking angle based on what you’re making—keep it flat for toasting and tilt it to remove excess fat/oils while grilling.

For the budget-conscious

This sleek and smart Google Nest Learning Thermostat not only keeps you warm all winter and cool all summer, but it also helps you to save energy (which is a win for your budget and for Mother Earth). It learns what temperatures you like and then gauges the outside weather to ensure you’re living comfortably—and sustainably. Going out of town? Set the Nest to “away” and it will ensure an energy-efficient schedule that will readjust in time for your return.

For the pet lover

One of the most powerful robots on the market, the iRobot Roomba j9+ one is specially made with our furry friends in mind. Not only will it lift pet fur from carpets, but it also offers the Pet Owner Official Promise (POOP for short): your robot will avoid pet waste or the company will replace it for free. Right out of the box, this mighty machine will map your house so you can tell it exactly where to clean and when using the app or even voice commands. Once it’s done, it will head back to its base, where it will empty the debris without even having to be asked.

For the craftsperson

Whether you’re a seasoned handyperson or a hobby DIYer, this easy-to-use Bosch 100-ft. Laser Measure tool ensures precision on every project. The backlit display offers metric and imperial measurements down to a decimal point. It’s compact and comes encased in a rubber mould for durability.

For the budding builder

“Let’s-a go!” Bring everyone’s favourite plumbing heroes to life as they set out to take down Bowser one brick at a time with the Lego Super Mario Dry Bowser Castle Battle Expansion Set. The iconic villain’s castle comes complete with five figures, including Dry Bones and Purple Toad, who’s being held as a prisoner. Kids will love building the fortress (complete with a hidden room) and then using the working crane to rescue Toad before taking down the bad guy.

For the gamer

Relive a classic with a remastered version of the Super Mario RPG Game for Nintendo Switch that teams up former foes Mario, Bowser and Peach and a couple of new faces. In a race to save Star Road, travel across different lands in this quirky story of mismatched characters. Make the right moves and you can unlock new Triple Moves that will have your enemies running in fear!

For the multitasker

Whether you’re into reading, streaming, gaming or all three, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet has what it takes to keep you up to date with all of the newest releases. Available in three colours, this lightweight device boasts a 13-hour battery life, a ton of storage and a 10-inch full-HD display. And you can enjoy peace of mind thanks to the easy-to-use parental controls to keep everyone safe.