Once again, it’s time for our sacred tradition, the 3rd Annual Unbreakable Holiday Gift Guide!
What qualifies me to write such an important piece? How dare I assume that I may be able to guide you, my dear reader, in how to spend your hard-earned money?
Here’s my secret: I like buying stuff. I figure if I send you my favorite stuff I’ve purchased, you might like it, too.
“The best things in life are either free or very expensive” – Coco Chanel
I hope that at this point we all know that buying stuff can’t make us happy. But hot damn, it can bring a lot of joy. Lest you think I’ve gone too far down the minimalist rabbit hole, here are a few things that have brought me an outsized amount of joy in the last year.
Feast your eyes on the finest consumer products of the 2025 holiday season!
1. Bronco Big Bend Free Wheeling Edition – $51,000
Ok, I know I said I wasn’t going to replace the McLaren. And technically, I didn’t… as in I didn’t buy another sports car. But man, oh man, do I love my new Bronco. The retro vibes, stupid big tires, and roof-off cruising put a smile on my face every time I take it out. Cars are often extensions of our personalities, whether we like it or not. Supercars scream power and performance, Toyotas signal practicality, and Teslas… utter lack of taste. This 70s-themed Bronco feels more like who I am today than the supercars I let go of. In a word… fun.
2. Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Expert – $10,000
I could write a whole post on what switching to an e-bike taught me about the meaning of life. 80% of the fitness, 200% of the fun. My identity as a former category one mountain bike racer kept me from jumping on the bandwagon. My ego told me it was cheating… less pure. Well, my favorite thing in the world is having my mind changed, and this bike blew my expectations out of the water. I went from riding two days a week and secretly dreading the 2,000 ft switchbacked climb that is my home trail to riding nearly every single day. Switching to an e-bike reinforces one of my favorite sayings: it doesn’t have to be hard.
Undoubtedly the ugliest sunglasses I have ever owned, these AI-enabled glasses have changed the way I do all kinds of things. I love listening to music when I ride (who doesn’t?), but out of respect for my fellow outdoor enthusiasts, I don’t wear headphones because they limit situational awareness on the trail. Problem solved. There’s a speaker built into the frame that lets you listen to music while still hearing ambient sounds. I also use them when meditating because they’re more comfortable and therefore less distracting than over-the-ear headphones or earbuds, and again, allow for ambient sounds. And the insane 3k video recording allows me to capture clips of my favorite activities without having to fiddle with a GoPro. Pro tip: turn off notifications to stay present while enjoying outdoors.
Lest everything on the list feel like an expensive toy, I could’ve almost put this at number 1. I sleep on my side, and for years have been accused of stealing the covers from my wife to put in between my knees. I thought about inventing a pillow that goes between your knees, but I did a quick Amazon check first to see if someone else had the same idea. Turns out, these come in all shapes and sizes and boom… I’ve never slept better. They also have the added benefit of maintaining better alignment between your hips and spine, which reduces long-term strain on my body. Better sleep and improved mobility? Win-win.
5. Topo Athletic Traverse Trail Shoes – $155
You might be noticing a theme with these products. For me, this year has been all about the great outdoors, and I’ve been on a quest to find the perfect trail shoe for years. I feel like I just found the Triforce at the end of Zelda (IYKYK.) My dear friend Kevin Dahlstrom sent these in a surprise gift box to prep for his BaseCamp event, and what an insane piece of swag. With a super wide toe box that allows your feet to swell after a long day on the trail and a thick Vibram sole to protect your dogs from sharp rocks, what I can’t figure out is how they managed to make them so lightweight. I’m about to order a second pair to keep in reserve in case they ever change the design. They’re that good.
Now, I don’t want you to think I’m only a shallow Colorado outdoor bro, so I’ve included a few of my favorite books. That way, you’ll know I’m both shallow and deep at the same time.
What I’m reading in 2025:
1. The Three-Body Problem – Cixin Liu
This was my favorite book that I read this year. It broke my brain. Cixin is a polymath who somehow, impossibly, describes theoretical physics in literary prose that feels like Carl Sagan and Brandon Sanderson had a brilliant, unhinged sci-fi baby. Trust me, this one is worth the price of admission.
2. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying – Sogyal Rinpoche
For those who have been following along, you know that I’ve been way down the Tibetan rabbit hole this year via my work with The Wisdom Dojo. I’ve been devouring Buddhist books, but this one stands out as my favorite.
3. Conscious Accomplishment – Scott Britton
I met Scott on X because I like a lot of what he says there. I’m only halfway through this book, and I already love it. If you’ve ever felt the tension between accomplishing big things and living in the present, this one is for you. (Hint: that is probably everyone reading this.) Buy it. Read it. Live it.
Ok team, that wraps up this edition of the gift guide. Whether you’re out enjoying the great outdoors or curled up by a fire with a great book, here’s hoping your holidays are filled with wonder, joy, and presence.
Blessing from my family to yours,
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