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I’m a Dad and a Product Reviewer. Here Are the 19 Best Christmas Gifts I Know

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I’m a Dad and a Product Reviewer. Here Are the 19 Best Christmas Gifts I Know


Your dad does not have high expectations this Christmas. Any man who is being completely candid with you will admit that most gifts he has received during his adult life fall under “It’s the thought that counts.” But it needn’t be so. With a little research and some thought, you can give the father figure in your life the best gift for a dad that he’s ever gotten.

I am a dad, and I spent a lot of time thinking about what people should get me. Luckily, since I work here, people are happy to send me those very things for testing. I take this sacred responsibility very seriously and have spent hundreds of hours thinking about the gifts I’d give to, say, a dad like yours. The ideas below are the sum of that work for the year 2025 and feature all new picks from the version of this guide I did before Father’s Day. I’m confident the list below has the perfect gift for your dad. If somehow you don’t like any of these ideas, you’re probably wrong, but might I still suggest you stick with something sharp or that catches on fire?

The Best Christmas Gifts for Your Dad

A Super Shave

Henson AL13 Safety Razor Shave Set (2 Year)

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A Soft Shirt

True Classic Carbon Premium Pima Crew Neck

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The Perfect Medium-Rare

Meater Pro Duo

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Top of the Tipples

LIITON American Peaks Heavy Crystal Whiskey Glasses

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A Super Shave

Two side by side images of a hand holding a gold metallic razor

Photograph: Martin Cizmar

Henson

AL13 Safety Razor Shave Set (2 Year)

Like many dads, I am bombarded with advertisements for shaving devices. The Henson AL13 razor caught my eye with its unique value proposition, which is the opposite of Mr. King Gillette’s famous maxim to “give ’em the razors and sell ’em the blades.” Rather, here you are paying a premium for a precision-machined razor that’s designed to work wonders with the cheapest of blades. Henson was founded by machinists who work in aerospace, and they built this razor with insane standards (tolerances of less than 0.0005 inches) so that it will hold a generic double-sided blade at an exact angle with zero jitter, so you get a close, clean shave. You can buy enough replacement blades to last two years for 10 or 15 bucks, making this a razor your dad can keep forever.

A Soft Shirt

Person in grey shirt and black pants

True Classic

Carbon Premium Pima Crew Neck

Your dad probably needs a new T-shirt. If he’s anything like me or most dads I know, he likely wears the shirts he owns well past the socially appropriate levels of stainage and frayedness. True Classic tees won the praise of the tailors we asked to help us find the best T-shirt, and I’ve enjoyed the True Classic pima crew neck immensely in my testing. The fabric is soft but heavy and drapes in a pleasant way.

The Perfect Medium-Rare

Image may contain: Electronics, Mobile Phone, and Phone

I’ve tested the wireless meat thermometer that one of our contributors named the best, and also this Meater Pro Duo. I like the Meater a lot better, though I am less of an expert chef than that writer. What I love about the Meater Pro is that it reads internal and ambient temperatures of a given cut of meat, and if you set your preferred finishing temperature it will estimate the remaining cook time and then alert you when it’s done. This is all done via an app I find very intuitive and stable. If your dad will be cooking any kind of roast this Christmas, put one of these under the tree.

Top of the Tipples

Whiskey glasses and black packaging

LIITON

American Peaks Heavy Crystal Whiskey Glasses

If your dad is a whiskey aficionado of any kind, these American Peaks glasses are a winner. The set of four American Peaks glasses features four iconic peaks at the bottom of impressively hefty glass. Each glass weighs more than a pound and is freezable if your dad likes a little chill but would prefer not to dilute his spirits with ice. If you need to jazz this up a bit, give it along with a bottle of allocated bourbon or a fine Scotch.

A Clear Morning

Image may contain: Cup, Cookware, Pot, Appliance, Device, Electrical Device, Mixer, Pottery, and Jug

Photograph: Martin Cizmar

I said above that you should give your dad something sharp or that will light on fire, but I realize now that I also strongly recommend things made of clear glass, such as this Pure Over French Press. I’ve used this to make my morning coffee for a few months. It makes a great cup and looks both vaguely modern and completely neutral, so it will fit into any kitchen.

A Lazy Afternoon

  • Photograph: Martin Cizmar

  • Photograph: Martin Cizmar

You already know if this kind of item is a good or bad idea for your dad, but if he’s the type to appreciate it, he’ll surely be impressed. The Pax Flow is the newest device from the premium loose-leaf vaporizer maker and is a very different experience than its older models. This device is designed to offer less resistance, with every puff coming out with the lightest of draws. It charges via USB-C cord and not a magnetic cable, which means fewer proprietary parts to worry about. As with the whiskey glass above, it’s easy to jazz this gift up with something on the side.

Do Your Chores

Brown long sleeve jacket

Patagonia

Iron Forge Fleece-Lined Jac-Shirt

Like so many dads who work in white collar professions, in my off-hours, I want to look like I don’t. This Patagonia Iron Forge chore coat artfully splits the difference, as it’s workwear by “Patagucci.” I love this coat an unreasonable amount. I wore it almost every day for a month this fall, and I look longingly at it on my coatrack now that it’s a little too chilly to be everyday outerwear. But if I were working in the garage or basement, or once spring comes, it will be back in rotation. This jacket is warm, rugged, and stylish—I like it better than vintage Carhartt, even. I especially like the fleece-lined hand pockets, which blend in from the front but are very useful on a brisk evening walk.

A Hood With Range

Person wearing a grey zipup hoodie while standing near a house

True Classic

Fleece Full Zip Hoodie

Few men I know wouldn’t appreciate a simple, logo-less, well-fitting hoodie, and given my age, nearly all of those men are dads. This True Classic hoodie happens to be the most oft-worn hoodie owned by my husband (also: a dad), who loves the slim, athletic fit—pictured is men’s medium—and exceptionally soft fleece lining. It’s sure to appeal to minimalists, American Apparel nostalgists, brogrammers, or even partners looking to send a message to their husbands or boyfriends regarding their choice of graphic tees. (Couldn’t be me!) —Kat Merck

Tool Time

  • Photograph: Martin Cizmar

A multi-tool is always a safe gift idea for a dad, as they tend to be a little spendy and you can never have too many of them lurking in glove boxes or desk drawers. I’ve been carrying the Leatherman Wave Alpha around for a week, hoping to have something to fix with one of the 16 included tools. All I’ve done is open boxes and test the blades, but it’s obvious it will also handle small tasks like loose screws or wires requiring cutting and crimping. The most impressive upgrade this device has over other Leathermans I’ve used is the MagnaCut Knife Blade, which can be opened with your thumb alone and locks into place. This is a new “super steel” that’s impressively sharp and will keep an edge longer than standard blades.

A Cut Above

Multi-color scissors

As I said: Buy your dad something sharp! These Craighill Chroma scissors are one of those gifts I’d recommend for the “dad who has everything,” as no dad I know other than me has a pair of exceptionally cool scissors. Craighill is known for its thoughtfully designed wine openers and knives and is a regular on various WIRED “stuff we like and/or want” lists. These scissors feel great in the hand and cut with confidence but also have striking colors that make them a statement piece on a desk.

The Big Light

Black handheld flashlight in white packaging

Infinity

X1 Dual Power Rechargeable Flashlight

I am something of a flashlight aficionado and could happily make an entire guide to gifting lights. Olight’s Arkfeld Pro remains my favorite, but this big, budget light by Infinity is a more affordable option. The Infinity X1 flashlight boasts 7,000 lumens of brightness—that’s “BMW headlight” brightness—in a big, sturdy case. What I like best about it is that it can be powered both with a rechargeable battery that gets juice via USB-C or with nine standard AA batteries. It’s large and heavy at 3.3 pounds. As with the Maglites of yore, you could bludgeon someone to death with it. But with that heft comes some peace of mind—this is a flashlight you won’t easily misplace and which will provide a sense of security in a power outage.

Power Up

I used DJI’s midsize Power 2000 power station on my annual summer camping trip to Maine—I do not own a drone, and reviewer Simon Hill says that’s what it’s optimized for, but it did a good job with a bunch of phones used to scroll Instagram and iPads used to play Roblox. I misplaced the main AC power cord for most of that trip and had to top it off with solar, getting about 25 percent back on any sunny afternoon when I could finagle it past the shadows of pine trees. The station slowly faded over eight days in the woods but continued to charge our devices—it will charge a mobile phone more than 100 times via two 140-watt USB-C ports, two 65-watt USB-C ports, and four USB-A ports that put out 25 watts each. Compared to other power stations I’ve tested, it has excellent carry handles, and you can recharge it from 20 percent back to full in about an hour. With 2,000 watt hours in a station that remains carryable, this station is the Goldilocks size for most dads, as it’s big enough to take you through basically anything you need for a weeklong camping trip without being difficult to move or load into a vehicle. It would also take you through a typical blackout situation and doesn’t require two people to move from the basement or garage.

Listen Up

Image may contain: Electronics, Mobile Phone, and Phone

Soundcore by Anker

Aeroclip

The Soundcore Aeroclip open earbuds are the ideal “upgrade his daily life” present. Open earbuds like this allow folks to work out, do yard work, or otherwise listen to things while still hearing the world around them—good for safety and socialization. These earbuds clip on securely and comfortably, the sound is excellent for the price, and they have all the smart features (like long battery and multi-device pairing) without being complicated. Your dad will use them all the time, and you’ll look like a hero for finding something so spot-on. —Parker Hall

A Portable Treehouse

  • Photograph: Martin Cizmar

  • Photograph: Martin Cizmar

Tentsile

Safari Stingray 3-Person Tree Tent

Think of this more like a portable treehouse than a tent or a hammock—though certainly it’s a little of all three. The Tentstile Stingray is a three-person tent that is suspended from three trees. It took me more than an hour to set up during testing, as finding suitable trees in the right configuration in a campsite can be a challenge, and the ratchet straps that hold it taut between trees take some strength and time to get right, but the payoff is a space that’s great for sleeping or relaxing. It was a hit with my daughter and my best friend’s daughter during a week in Maine, and it drew lots of attention from other curious campers. If your dad still talks about his childhood treehouse or fort, or loves hammocking, this is a unique gift that will make for some fun memories.

A Nap-ready Hammock Chair

Yellow striped hammock on a front porch

Photograph: Martin Cizmar

As you can probably tell, I am very bullish on hammocks as gifts for a dad. When you give a hammock, you are inviting your dad to relax while tacitly acknowledging how hard he works. I have recommended the Nemo Stargazer chair in previous versions of this guide, and it remains my favorite camp chair, but the Yellow Leaf Vista Hammock is a luxe alternative I prefer for the backyard or porch. It’s hand-woven from soft but strong yarn, with a frame that’s oriented like a traditional chair but will allow you to kick back almost to the degree you would in a hammock hanging between trees. It’s very comfortable, and while I would not take it tailgating, it’s light and packable enough for a day at the beach or a weekend in the woods.

A Cold One

  • Photograph: Martin Cizmar

There are a lot of great coolers out there, but Yeti is still the gold standard and the best-known premium brand. This is the new version of the Roadie 24, a midsize model perfect for road trips. It will hold 33 cans, or a 24-pack, and an appropriate amount of ice. The Roadie 2.0 bested the original in a YouTuber’s ice retention test, but the real reasons to prefer the upgrade are the new handle, which converts into a shoulder strap, and a new drain plug. I’ve had mixed results with previous Yeti drain plugs, but the new design has performed flawlessly in my testing, with not a drip on the back seat of my car.

A Cellar Temp One

Rocco Fridge, a small grey fridge with bottles sitting on top, beside a cart holding more bottles and cans

Photograph: Martin Cizmar

Rocco

Rocco Super Smart Fridge

The Rocco fridge is the most stylish beer fridge in the world—in fact, it looks so good it could even pass for a wine fridge. Better yet, you can do both. The dual temperature zones let you keep beer just above freezing on the higher shelves while red wine sits at a perfect 58 degrees Fahrenheit below. The app control allows you to pick between quieter operation and more powerful cooling. The reeded glass door gives it a mid-century modern flair, and the fridge comes in a number of bright statement colors that could theoretically be picked based on your dad’s favorite sports team for man-cave use (I would have done orange) or matched to the look of a living room (I did go with green). I’m still futzing with the app’s camera control, which will help you keep inventory, but even without that, this is a great high-end gift for a dad, especially one facing complaints about the appearance of his current beverage fridge.

Oiled Up

Image may contain: Tin, and Can

Courtesy of Fresh Pressed Farms

Fresh Pressed Farms

Holiday Pack

We have a whole guide to the best gifts for cooks, and if you’re specifically looking for something for the avid home chef, that’s the place to start. But if you’re looking for something a little less expected, or a gift that will get your dad a whole year of use (this depends on how Mediterranean he is—the average Spaniard consumes 3 gallons per year!), this gift set from Fresh Pressed Farms could be a winner. Each aluminum jug is 25 ounces and comes from vertically integrated farms. Each has a unique flavor profile: The Italian is very grassy, while the Spanish has a slight stone-fruit thing going on. Pair it with the Veark Tool One (a $65 designer stick!) for a trendy touch.

Iced Down

Ice cream maker besides glasses of ice cream, smoothies and fruity drinks

Green Pan

Frost Ice Cream & Frozen Drink Maker

Some elements of my gifting philosophy depend on how Mediterranean your dad is, as is mentioned above. This one is for dads who are very [pinched fingers emoji]. The Greenpan Frost excels at making Italian ice, also known as water ice or sorbetto or granita, depending on how [pinched fingers emoji] we’re going here. I’m obsessed with the stuff, but live in a place where the best version comes from Culver’s and is called a “Lemon Cooler” (not very [pinched fingers emoji] at all). The sorbet setting on this ice cream maker gets fruit, sugar, and ice to an ultra-smooth consistency. I’ve delighted guests by making Italian ice with Meyer lemons, which are the closest thing to Sicilian lemons available to me. It will also make boozy slushies or ice cream if you’re into that sort of thing. If Christmas feels a little chilly to gift an ice cream maker, maybe tuck this one away for Father’s Day six months from now.



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Building a Watch Collection on a Budget? Here’s Where to Start

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Building a Watch Collection on a Budget? Here’s Where to Start


You don’t need a four-figure Swiss movement to know what time it is—or look good doing it. One of the most wonderful things about “budget” watches today (although it’s kinder, or more appropriate, to say “affordable”) is that brands have learned to take design cues from luxury timepieces while quietly getting very good at the fundamentals: reliable movements, thoughtful materials, and proportions that don’t scream “cheap.” Take a look at the Orient in WIRED’s selection below as a prime example.

It could easily be argued that we’re in a golden age of affordable horology (see our full guide here for definitive proof), where, if you choose wisely, $350 or less can buy everything from a desirable dress watch, or a high-end collaboration, and even a supremely capable and classically chic diver. Pieces that will see you right from sunken wreck to boardroom table. And let’s not forget the retro allure of digital watches right now, either, with the Shark Classic not only being one of our favorites here, but at $70, it’s also the most affordable.

Moreover, should you decide to bag more than a few (and who could blame you at these prices?), we’ve even got the perfect carry case picked out: Nanuk’s IP67 waterproof and dustproof NK-7 resin $175 910 Watch Case (pictured above) with patented PowerClaw latching system—ideal for securing any timepiece collection, be it bargain or big budget.

Be sure to check out our other wearable coverage, including the Best Budget Watches Under $1,000, Best Smartwatches, Best Fitness Trackers, and Best Smart Rings.



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I Tested 10 Popular Date-Night Boxes With My Hinge Dates

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I Tested 10 Popular Date-Night Boxes With My Hinge Dates


Same as the Five Senses deck above, this scratch-off card set happens in sequence, with optional “level up” cards to really push intimacy, and separate cards for each partner with secret directions. For this date, you’ll both bring a red item that you show at certain points to signify that you’re open to physical touch. Then you’ll go out to dinner and have intentional conversation, and every time a partner pulls out the red item, you’ll follow the prompts to initiate increasingly intimate physical acts, ranging from hand holding to neck kisses. So there we were, at Illegal Taqueria, edging each other over al pastor tacos (I kid).

Many of the cards urged a partner not to interrupt or solve problems, but ask questions and talk dirty. My date said, “I think this may be for couples who hate each other.” I had to agree. The second part of the date involved driving and stoplights, but since we were in Brooklyn, we walked down the trash-filled sidewalk and pretended to be a suburban couple on the fritz instead.

The rest of the date included buying things for sexy time, like whipped cream and blindfolds. I’m vegan and had no desire to lick cream from chest hair, so we came home, stripped, and did our best to keep our eyes closed (in lieu of a blindfold). It was overall a strange experience for us both, I think. If you and your partner need a lot of prompting to connect, compliment, and be physical, this set is for you.

Date: Greg, 10/10 (Note: I didn’t find this man on Hinge; I met him the old-fashioned way, in a bar at 2 am.)

Box: 6/10



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WIRED’s Guide to Actually Fun Valentine’s Day Gifts

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WIRED’s Guide to Actually Fun Valentine’s Day Gifts


Valentine’s Day is a sneaky one. It’s easy to let grabbing fun and unique Valentine’s Day gifts fall to the wayside while you recover from the Christmas holidays, but it’s not one to miss if you have a partner you want to shower with a little extra love.

If you’re feeling too wiped to shop, good news: I’ve got you covered. I’ve rounded up some of our favorite ideas for the year’s most romantic holiday, from Lego sets you can build as a date and date boxes filled with ideas to last you all year long to gorgeous flowers you can get delivered in a snap and cozy robes you’ll want to lounge in together. This guide all the Valentine’s Day gifts we’re excited to give this year.

Curious about what else we recommend? Don’t miss our Gifts for Lovers, Gifts for Moms, Gifts for Plant Lovers, Gifts for People Who Work from Home, and Best Blind Boxes for more gifts and shopping ideas.

Table of Contents

For a Gift That’s a Date

My husband and I are planning our fourth or fifth year of our favorite Valentine’s Day Date: building Lego sets together. We’ve done this for years, and then we get to enjoy the fruits (well, flowers) of our labor around the home forevermore. These sets serve as both the gift and the activity. Building the dried-flower centerpiece together was probably my all-time favorite, since you can each simultaneously work on one half and then click it together at the end, followed by each building a different-color bonsai tree.

For a Daytime Adventure

Retrospec

Weekender Crew Multi-Person Inflatable Paddle Board

Building on the idea of date activities that involve gifts, this multi-person paddleboard is a fun way to spend time outdoors while staying together the entire time. It’s massive, almost raftlike, so that it can support the weight of up to three adults, but once we got the hang of the size, it wasn’t hard to maneuver. Sometimes we’d both row together, sometimes I’d let my husband do all the work. It made for a lovely daytime adventure together, and I can’t wait for the next warm day for my husband and me to take this out on our local harbor again. It’s big enough that we could bring our son, though it’s much more peaceful as a date activity. It’s inflatable, and I’d recommend grabbing an electric filler since it takes a lot of manual pumping otherwise.

For Flowers on Demand

Image may contain: Jar, Pottery, Vase, Flower, Flower Arrangement, Plant, Potted Plant, Flower Bouquet, and Planter

Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane

The classic go-to for Valentine’s Day is, of course, flowers. WIRED reviewer Boutayna Chokrane tested several flower delivery services to find the best one to get sent to your home, and her favorite is the Ode à la Rose, specifically the Edith arrangements. The business was created by two former French bankers, and the arrangements’ design choices feel distinctly chic in a way only French romance can. The Edith bouquet is entirely Columbus double tulips from Holland, and come hand-tied in a travel vase a fun pink box. The flowers ship nationwide, and there’s same-day shipping in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Austin, Miami, and Washington, DC.

For a Jewelry Upgrade

Maybe you’ve already exchanged rings, or maybe you’re looking for your first set without committing to I do. Either way, the most popular fitness tracker to get these days is a smart ring, and Oura is the ruler of the space. The latest model is the Ring 4, and it comes in both metallic and ceramic finishes. Many of my friends love theirs. I wish I had one, but they don’t make sense for my husband and me since we’re an aerialist and rock climber duo. Live my dreams for me and get this for your valentine (and yourself)!

For Your Fave Photographer

Aura

Aspen Digital Photo Frame

If your romantic partner loves to capture photos, a digital photo frame is the perfect gift (and you’ll benefit, too, as likely the number one fan of their photography!). I’m the photographer of our house, and our Aura frame is my husband’s favorite gadget because it showcases photos I’ve captured of our son and life together over the years. Our wedding photos can be found on there too, as well as the occasional good photo of me that he’s captured. It’s a monthly ritual for me to go through my camera roll and add my latest favorites. Aura’s my favorite because the range of frames is beautiful, and the storage is unlimited with no fees or subscriptions.

For the Cozy Couple

L.L. Bean

Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe

One of my favorite souvenirs I have around the house is a matching robe set that my husband and I bought on our honeymoon. Our all-cotton robes are from the Ten Thousand Waves Japanese spa in New Mexico (the final destination of a Southwestern US road trip) and are great for taking to the pool or using after a shower on a hot day. But I still love a good fluffy robe during the colder season, especially since it can double as a towel. Get your partner one of these cozy robes to give them something luxurious to use after their next everything shower or quick rinse-off. Cozy Earth’s robe is crazy-soft thanks to its blend of cotton and bamboo viscose, while this flannel robe from L.L.Bean is one of our favorites for anyone who works from home.

For Your Inner Theater Kids

If your partner loves to sing along to the Wicked soundtrack and is regularly suggesting karaoke as a group activity, then give them the gift of making karaoke happen anywhere with these gadgets. The Bonaok Karaoke Microphone is one of our favorite karaoke microphones, letting you sing anywhere without lugging bulky equipment. The Ikarao Shell S2 is a portable device with two mics, a built-in screen, and support for streaming services, so you can sing along to your favorite songs on Spotify.

For the Fitness Couple

Bombshell Sportswear

Workout Set

After the Christmas season, I saw a video on my For You page that roasted how every mom had clearly gotten a matching workout outfit set for Christmas and was out wearing it on Boxing Day. As a mom myself, all I could think of was how much I would love another matching workout set. I’m serious. They’re great for workouts, quick errands, and day care or school drop-off. My latest favorite set is from Bombshell Sportswear. The set is both super soft and fits securely without any annoying squeezing. It’s getting the most compliments of all my sets. I wish I’d sized up with the bolero, but as an aerialist, my lat muscles are a little bulkier than an everyday person’s.

Have a partner who doesn’t need a matching set? Try some fantastic running shoes instead, which are even more useful for both workouts and daily life. WIRED reviewer Adrienne So says these R.A.D. shoes are fantastic for a range of uses, as they’re designed for gym, HIIT, CrossFit, and hybrid workouts and are soft enough for treadmill running. They look fantastic, too.

For the Beloved Bookworms

Amazon

Kindle Paperwhite (2024, 12th Generation)

PopSockets

PopCase Kindle and PopGrip

A Kindle is always a great gift for anyone who reads in any format. Funny enough, my siblings and I are about to buy one for my dad for his birthday (two weeks before Valentine’s Day), and I recommended my favorite pick, the Kindle Paperwhite, since the standard Kindle is a little too small for his 6-foot-4 frame to hunch down over, and he doesn’t read enough illustrated books to make the Colorsoft the right jump for him. If they already have a Kindle, I’m still in love with my matching PopSockets Kindle case and grip, and they’ve since launched a new Bookish collection with beautiful designs.

For Some Bedroom Spice

The Adventure Challenge

… In Bed

The Fantasy Box

Yes, I Would

Looking to spice things up? These adventure boxes can add more fun to the bedroom without creating additional mental work for you and your partner. An offshoot from the Adventure Challenge, “The Adventure Challenge … In Bed” scratch-off date book has 50 date ideas designed specifically to help facilitate fun and connection in the bedroom. The dates are categorized by activity type in sections like food, dancing, “sexploration,” and more. Each date is covered by a black box, with only icons indicating required fields such as duration, cost, and more. Meanwhile, the Fantasy Box is a date-night box service offering a range of themes, from sexy wine tasting to a kinky poker night, all designed to help couples communicate and connect more intimately. Before opening the box, each partner will fill out a questionnaire of potential intimate acts, and this box comes with everything needed for a truly kinky night in: a satin blindfold, pleather paddle, lingerie, lube, massage gel, feather wand, mini vibrator, and silky wrist restraints. Molly Higgins


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