I love introducing two amazing people to each other, and introducing people to amazing products or brands they haven't used before. This site focuses on the latter.

Ever since I was young, whenever I found something that was exceptional, I became an evangelist for it- even to the point that my parents told me when I grow up I could be a spokesperson for a brand I am deeply passionate about. While I did not end up going that route for my career, I remain passionate about discovering and sharing products that are extraordinary.

I believe it started when I was 16 and discovered RainEx for my car. Growing up in the Midwest, rain and snow was just part of life and the impact of putting a bit of RainEx (which cost only a couple bucks) on my windshield on the ease and safety of driving in inclement weather was incredible. Definitely an odd product for a 16 year old to be obsessed about - but I would tell family and friends that they had to use it. I'd offer to let them try some of my own just to prove how great it was. I never sold it or anything like that, I just genuinely wanted others to experience the magic.

Over the decades since, I have found certain products that have also created a similar magic experience for me, and I continued to excitedly make recommendations to others.

I've kept a list of products I love so that when the holidays or other gifting occasions come around, I have an easy reference for gifts that are unexpected but also super helpful. One year, I gave my dad a bucket for his birthday - a bucket that I'm obsessed with - and that random gift that was initially met with a blank stare remains one of his favorite and most used gifts.

With the holidays having just passed, I figured I'd share these recommendations more broadly. These are all genuinely products I love for myself - no brand has paid for me to review or recommend them. (And, I certainly haven't been given any of these products for free to review, though that would be awesome…)

If I provide a link to buy the product, it might be an "affiliate link" that gives me a tiny 'kick back' from Amazon or whatever site for making the recommendation if you purchase using that link, which would help support me for putting the time into writing and sharing these tips. Regardless, these remain truly personal experiences and recommendations.

Let me know if you have any questions or feedback on anything!

Mr. M,
The Essentialist