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The new year is upon us and it’s time to make big plans for your 12 months of success. In order to make sure that you’re ready for whatever comes your way, the Variety staff has compiled their collection of Amazon products that have changed their life. From wine chillers and magnetic shelves to moth traps (it’s never too late to protect yourself from moths!) these are the simple Amazon life hacks that made our lives infinitely better.
Magnetic Shelves
Need more shelving space but living in a tiny house/kitchen/van? Create your own little shelving system with these exceedingly sturdy, magnetic shelves that can easily attach to the front or side of your fridge. Perfect for fleshing out that coffee bar area.
Baggu Travel Tote
The Baggu brand is a staple around this office. Not only is this exceedingly lightweight tote cute, it also packs up into itself, making it a breeze to carry a bag within a bag (and perfect for groceries, traveling and the beach). Also this tote has a zipper top, keeping your valuables protected and private. It’s available in several different colors including this stunning green.
VoChill Wine Glass Chiller
Stop putting crap in your wine glasses. It has always been oddly cumbersome to chill the contents of your wine glass, but not anymore. Toss the metal contraptions that would crack your glasses and buy a VoChill. This contraption cools your glass by gently cradling it in a cold vessel. This not only chills your wine but it keeps your beverage cold while you’re drinking. And it’s an absolute delight to hold. Available in classic or stemless.
Glow In the Dark Apple Remote
Stop losing this tiny, tiny thing by wrapping it in a protective case that glows in the dark. The drawback to Apple TV is constantly losing the sleek little remote, especially if you have children or animals that like to run off with it. Well, fret no more because this little case lights up so it’s easy to find when wedged in the couch.
Travel Pill Organizer
Seems like there was some terrible rule that all pill cases had to be hideous and gigantic. Not anymore! Forgo stuffing your suitcase with bottles of space-wasting pills and take only what you need in this stylish, foldable little beauty. Available in all sorts of colors, we quite like this neutral little ditty. Smaller (but still cute) pill cases here if this is too large.
Snap N Strain Pot Strainer
No need to dirty a whole new colander, simply snap on this little device and you can strain anything you want. Made of silicone (so it won’t melt) the strainer can expand and contract to fit any pot or pan.
Sponge Spa Headband
Just because you’re washing your face and brushing your teeth, that doesn’t mean you can’t feel fabulous. Bring a little pizzaz to your skin routine with this cute sponge spa headband and realize the more joy you get from your daily activities, the more likely you are to actually execute them every day. Plus, this makes a sensational gift.
Cutting Board Stove Cover
Additional tiny kitchen help! Extend your counter space with this foldable, bamboo cutting board. It has risers so it can perch above your stove (just please turn it off first) and provide ample cutting space for your top chef. Check out more “Top Chef”-inspired products here.
Vegetable Chopper
Courtesy of Amazon
Courtesy of Amazon
TikTok made us buy it. Kick off your meal planning and make-your-own salad ambitions with this impressive chopping beauty. With four different chopping settings, this little baby will keep your cutting boards clean and spare your fingers from cuts and scrapes. Just place and push, and presto: perfectly sliced vegetables.
Monopoly Card Game
Courtesy of Amazon
Need to kill time with family? This card game is the ultimate time waster, plus, it’s actually super fun. Imagine all the excitement of the classic Monopoly board game (stealing properties, charging exorbitant rents, going near-bankrupt only to pull out and win the game) distilled into a 15 to 30 minute game. Once you figure out the rules (usually takes one to two plays) it’s easy and people get crazy competitive. It’s the perfect family game that can fill hours of time and entertain everyone. This game is a mandatory, must have on all family vacations.
Pillow Slides
Courtesy of Amazon
Stop stomping around your home and start gliding about like your feet are atop pillows. These fetching “pillow slides” were made popular by the cast of “Love Island” and every kid at home from school break. Available in all sorts of colors (but the muted tones dominate most toes these days). You can find them textured (above), sleek or with cute little smiley faces.
Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner
Courtesy of Amazon
Stop wearing dirty jewelry, it’s the year of keeping yourself and your valuables clean. Take the guesswork out of polish and wipes and just place you beauties in this little canister and, viola: clean baubles for days. Plus at $23 bucks (and with a very little counter space thumbprint) this purchase is basically you being both responsible and more organized.
Laptop Cooling Pad
Variety editors cite this purchase as life altering. Keep your computer from overheating and keep the annoying internal fan off with this cooling pad. It’s lightweight (1.5 pounds), height adjustable and is exceedingly quiet. And with over 30,000 Amazon reviews, it is clearly the answer for hot computers.
Wall Mount Grocery Bag Dispenser
Courtesy of Amazon
Not a particularly exciting purchase, sure. But everyone who incorporates this dispenser into their lives, will not shut up about it. It’s a huge game changer for both reusing bags and keeping your shelves clutter-free. Also, this device uses adhesive to attach so you can stick it almost anywhere you need bags.
Sweater Comb
Courtesy of Amazon
Keep your clothes pill-free with a sweater comb that won’t eat your fabric (as many of the batter-operated options do). This is just a simple little brush that you scrap (gently) across your sweater d