The Best Purchases Our Editors Made This Year

Every month, we bring you our favourite purchases. But to wrap up the year, we wanted to share the very best of what we bought in 2025. Some of our favourite buys cost less than a fancy cup of coffee; others are splurges we saved up for and thought long and hard about. From a life-changing laundry essential to a pricey skincare gadget, here’s what our team used on repeat this year.

Buncha Farmers Stain Remover, $7

“I wish I had something sexier to recommend, but the product that truly changed my life this year was, hands down, this $7 stain remover stick. It’s cheap, it’s made in Canada, and it can get truly anything (from wine to baby poop) out of clothes. It does the job and makes laundry much less annoying.” —Erica Lenti, deputy editor, features  

Zojirushi Neurofuzzy Rice Cooker, $270

“This rice cooker is easily the most-used item in my household this year—and not necessarily because I cook a lot of rice. Its timer settings, porridge function and large cooking bowl make it a very handy multi-cooking tool, one I can set the night before to have hot oatmeal ready in the morning on weekdays; can pop a piece of fish and vegetables in with some broth for a quick work-from-home lunch; or even steam eggs in if I just need a quick snack. And the rice? From basmati to short-grain and even sticky rice for puddings, it’s almost impossible to make a mistake with this machine; its programming automatically changes temperatures and cooking times depending on the rice-to-water ratio, making up for a lot of user error if you happen to add too much water or too little rice.

Even if you use your rice cooker regularly, you might balk at the price. But I can promise you it is worth every penny. I’ve used it almost every weekday this year, and I’d gladly pay full price to replace it or any one of its parts—which is high praise coming from someone who tests as many kitchen gadgets as I do on a regular basis.” —Chantal Braganza, deputy editor, food   

CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Face Mask Series 2, $640

“My favourite beauty gadget of the year is extremely pricey, but it has become the foundation of my skincare routine over the past few months. There’s solid scientific evidence that LED light therapy is amazing for your skin—red light helps reduce redness, hyperpigmentation and inflammation, and it also stimulates collagen production. I use my LED mask every night, and it has become a non-negotiable part of my bedtime routine, like washing my face or brushing my teeth. I find it helps keep my rosacea in check.

“I’ve tried a few different LED masks, but I keep going back to this CurrentBody model. It’s easy to use, comfortable to wear and it molds to the contours of my face to maximize exposure to the treatment.” —Andréanne Dion, senior editor, style, beauty and travel

Love & Lore Piped Pajama Short Set, $60

“When I really want to get cozy, I toss on my favourite PJs, and these are the ones I’ve been living in this year. This set is buttery soft—I could honestly wear them all day (and I sometimes do). The contrast piping is chic, and I like that they’re airy and loose while still cutting a flattering silhouette. They come in eight styles—I have them in black with white piping—ranging from neutrals to pretty pastels.” —Amy Evans, commerce editorial director

Horses Atelier Belted Field Suit, $565

“I don’t shop a lot. I bought a grand total of seven clothing items in 2025, and this was the one piece I wore again and again and again. It’s a one-and-done outfit that looks just as great at the office as it does at after-work events. (I just add a pair of flashy earrings and call it a day.) Yes, it’s incredibly pricey, there’s no two ways about it—but I regularly see resale options on Poshmark for $250 or less. And it’s made in Toronto by a female-owned brand to boot.” —Maureen Halushak, editor-in-chief

Mirvish Subscription, from $400

“Between plays, musicals and opera, I saw 16 shows this year. I live in Toronto and I have a lower-tier subscription to Mirvish productions, which allows me to see seven productions a year. 

“A standout for me in 2025 was The Great Comet of 1812. It’s a very immersive show—there were two rows of seating on stage, and I was able to snag one of those ultra-coveted spots. It was like nothing I have ever experienced before—I was able to really appreciate the detail of the costuming, the set and all of the cast. It was a thrilling experience to be so close, yet still be an observer.” —Aimee Nishitoba, art director