20+ Cool Products You Can Buy This Weekend
April 2, 2021
Cool Stuff
Modeling clay I’ll probably purchase for my next weekend project because — not to brag — but my middle school art teacher told me I had promise. Over 19,000 reviewers (both full-fledged artists and newbies alike) swear that this air-hardening clay is easy to sculpt and wonderful for the price.
A beginner embroidery kit for a hobby that is *not* another Netflix docu-series. This comes with patterned cloth, a hoop, instructions, a floss thread set, and needles for a foolproof activity that also results in some awesome home decor.
A virtual experience via Amazon Explore, a way for you to stroll the streets of Prague, explore the mysteries and ~magic~ of a renowned Edinburg cemetery, take a Tokyo-based cooking class, and more — all while your tush remains firmly planted on a couch.
A portable paint palette set for anyone who fancies themself a modern-day da Vinci (one with a stronger appreciation of eyebrows). Reviewers swear that the paint quality is fantastic for the price, plus the palette is refillable which means cha-ching! Money saved in the long run.
A silicone mold so you can finally try your hand at the epic hot cocoa bombs that have invaded your TikTok feed. This hunk of silicone is nonstick, flexible, dishwasher-safe, and can even be used for lava cakes (*drools*) or handmade soap.
A Wilton nonstick mini loaf pan that even I, a terrible baker at best, am interested in purchasing. This baby is the perfect size for whipping up the banana bread recipes you’ve been inundated with for the past ~seven months. I’ll give you a minute to drool over the chocolate chip banana bread with maple pecan glaze pictured below.
A murder mystery book featuring 20 cases that need to be solved by YOU, Sir Sherlock Holmes. Brace yourself for gorgeous illustrations and spooky puzzles that are A: better than any crime show and B: a lovely addition to your coffee table collection.
A 3D jigsaw puzzle of Diagon Alley because both Olivanders and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes have a terrible online presence and you’d prefer to browse in-person. Here’s your chance.
The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, aka an easy way to bring the magic of Dole Whip into your own kitchen. This treasure book features over 100 Disney-inspired recipes that are definitively better than a FastPass — think Mickey macaroons, the perfect churro, and (of course) DOLE WHIP.
A fabric marker set so you can turn linen, canvas, and cloth into your easel. Aspiring fashion designers, take heed! This set (it comes with 26 markers and 36 stencils FYI) will turn you into a trendsetting da Vinci — one reviewer even used them to decorated plain onesies and w-o-w.
A wheat-free peanut butter cake mix to show your best friend how much you friggin’ love them. Whether it’s for their birthday coming up in four months or that they gave you an extra snuggle this a.m., any excuse is a good excuse to whip up this delicious treat for your dear doggo.
A candle-making kit that comes with everything you’ll need to upcycle old tea cups and mason jars: 100 6-inch pre-waxed wicks, a 10-pound bag of natural soy wax, and two centering devices. *inhales at the thought of lemon and lavender*
A DIY miniature greenhouse for the folks who never *did* get that Barbie dream house growing up — same, but this is so much better anyway. You’ll receive everything to flesh out nooks, crannies, and details (think flowers, doors, vines, shelves) plus an LED light fixture.
Brain Freeze, a family card game that encourages you to ~speak before you think~. TL;DR: each player picks up a card that has an icon and personal prompt, and if two icons match…both players have to “answer” their opponent’s card. The player who answers first wins that round!
A National Geographic construction model kit so you can recreate Leonardo da Vinci’s second most famed work (temporarily scratch Mona Lisa from your memory), the catapult. Explain to your roommates in advance that the new spitball trajectory is 15 feet.
The Antiquarian Sticker Book rightfully described by one reviewer as mysterious and ooky. This features 1,000+ Victorian-inspired stickers that will make you feel as if you’re flipping through a creepy carnival book — but like, in the best way possible.
Tales From The Crypt and the animated Beetlejuice cartoon, both complete series available on DVD for a nostalgic weekend binge-a-thon meant to evoke feelings of Halloween in January. *stares at laptop reflection on a Saturday night* *realizes that I myself look like the Cryptkeeper*.
A drawing set featuring everything you’ll need for a Met-worthy creation: a 100-page drawing pad, two erasers, three blending stumps, three charcoal sticks, three charcoal pencils, 12 graphite pencils, three graphite sticks, two sharpeners, and a sandpaper block, all conveniently tucked away in a portable travel case.
A wireless Bluetooth mic if you do not give a bleep about singing off-key. If you miss screaming in falsetto to “Bohemian Rhapsody” or belting out Celine Dion on karaoke night, this will definitely lessen your sorrows.
Peel-and-stick backsplash adhesives for an easy, inexpensive way to make your studio look about 70x more chic. If your Pinterest aesthetic has always screamed “subway tile” but your budget does not, then consider these mold- and humidity-resistant options for your next bathroom remodel.
Spirits of Latin America: A Celebration of Culture & Cocktails, a recipe book jam-packed with 100 cocktail recipes that would receive an A+ on any report card. This highlights the grape-based spirits from Chile, Peru, and Bolivia to tequila-based concoctions in Mexico — ipso facto, you’ll become a renowned mixologist in a single weekend.
Smart stickers that will force you to finally rifle through the contents of your garage. Rather than rummaging through every single box to find the appropriate seasonal decor, turn to these stickers! Stick ’em on before fully packing up a box, download the associated app, and you’ll be able to pull up a list that tells you *exactly* what’s in each box!
An easy-to-use gardening kit because it’s not the banana bread that appealed to you this quarantine — it was the greenery. This helps you grow basil, cilantro, parsley, sage, and thyme with ease, aka your status as a proud plant parent is about to be solidified.
A Lego movie activity kit here to inspire the next generation of Spielbergs. This includes all the tools you need (plus access to the accompanying app) for creating your very own stop-animation film and excuse me, as someone who took an intro to film class in college, I conclude that this is a great gift for children and adults alike.
A Brooklyn Brew Shop kit packed with everything you need to craft your very own hard cider. Just supply some apple juice and rent a warehouse because no doubt you’ll want to open your own brewery after having a sip of the below — forget the $7 wine. You”ll be drinking handcrafted cider from now on.
A copy of Humans by Brandon Stanton, a tangible companion to the beloved Humans of New York Instagram account. This hardcover is chock-full of gorgeous imagery and everyday people from around the globe divulging their most personal stories.
A National Geographic geode kit complete with 10 geodes and a 16-page learning guide to spark any child’s interest in earth science (just typing that out gave me high school flashbacks… *shivers*). This STEM-approved activity is fun, educational, and totally interactive.