Issue #481: 2025 Holiday Gift Guide
Good morning. It’s Tuesday, November 25th.
In today’s email:
Focus: The 2025 Holiday Gift Guide
Explore: Dark Skies in Oregon
In the News: Upgrade How You Think
Brain: Kyudoku
A Note of Thanks
Thank you to all of our readers.
When we started writing this newsletter, we had no way of knowing that it would be the first of 481 issues - being read by thousands of people all over the world.
It was a trip going back to look at all of our previous Thanksgiving issues (2024, 2023, 2022 HERE and HERE).
Our only goal has ever been to deliver something that you look forward to getting in your inbox - something to inspire you to live your best life and not let your health get in the way of your future.
I found a little inspiration myself when I read this quote from an unlikely source:
“Hey, those good old days, you’re in them right now - so just have fun, enjoy it.”
That was Ole Miss head football coach, Lane Kiffin.
Even as we celebrate what we’re grateful for and take a beat to share that with our friends and family this week - it’s too often just a blip until we go back to the rat race on the nonstop treadmill.
We look back at nostalgia when we think back to those “good old days.” But those days had no less stress and struggle than today.
It’s so easy to pine for the past, seek out the future, and ignore the present. But these are the days - right now.
That doesn’t mean we stop striving - stop trying to get better.
I’m working hard to be a better husband, dad, son, brother, friend, co-founder, coach, athlete in 2026 than I am right now.
But that shouldn’t stop me from living 2025 to the fullest - in fact, it’s because of this ambition that I’m getting the most of life right now.
If there’s anything we’ve learned in writing this newsletter and spending nearly all work hours on longevity - don’t wait to create the life you want and don’t miss what you already have.
I know that if you read our newsletters that you care about yourself and you have a deep love for others. Give thanks for that - thank yourself and thank those around you who make your life a little more awesome.
Here’s to a special Thanksgiving!
Stat of the Day
The number of Americans who made a retail purchase on Black Friday in 2024 - that’s over 50% of everyone over 18 buying something. (Capital One Shopping)
Focus
The 2025 Gift Guide
It’s that time of year - when your inbox gets blitzed with deals for stuff you don’t need.
What a deal - $50 off; 40% discount; biggest sale of the year!!
But most of these items will barely be used and just add to the clutter in our homes. The average American home has 300,000 items - that’s pretty insane when you think about it.
How many things do we actually need? And how much just adds stress?
One of the things we just accept - shopping is the crux of what has created the shift of “celebrating” to “surviving” the holidays.
I read this from the Minimalists:
“Black Friday is the day we trample people for things we don’t need, the day after being thankful for what we have.”
Most of what will give us a longer, better life can’t be wrapped in a box and put under a tree.
Always focus on experiences over things and quality over quantity - if those running shoes will help you move, that’s valuable; if that pillow will help you sleep, that’s huge.
Use the Apple Rule for when they acquire a company - is this something people will absolutely use every day or at least every week.
Don’t get stuck in trying to buy a ton of gifts - that’s not what the holidays are (or should be) about. Just get the stuff that matters.
Maybe this will make it a little easier (you can also see our Gift Guide from 2024 and 2023):
Mindset
One Line a Day - I love this journal because it’s only 1-2 sentences a day to capture what happened, but it’s actually a 5-year journal because there’s space on the page for you to write down what happened that day (say Nov 25th) from 2025-2029. Such an awesome way to go back and recount the positive memories of your journey.
Nutrition
Wild Alaskan Membership - real fish is better than omega-3 supplements and this company only delivers wild (line-caught), sustainable fish. Get real seafood from those trying to protect our oceans. (**Alternative for vegetarians - Sakara)
Movement
Weighted Vest - there’s no easier way to boost cardio and strength at the same time than walking with a vest. It really makes a big difference and doesn’t strain your joints. Or you can go crazy and run or do pull-ups with it too. (**Alternative - Altra running shoes)
Growth
3D Puzzle - we’re big puzzle fans and now the craze is 3D (I guess what we used to call models). It’s way better than a Netflix night. (**Alternative - Caesar’s Calendar)
Sleep
Cold Pillow - we rest our head on a pillow for almost one-third of our life. That deserves a real investment - check this out to keep cool, support your neck and give you the best sleep ever. (**Alternative - Light alarm clock)
Connection
We’re Not Strangers - ok, some ice breakers are contrived and not fun. But this actually creates some conversation starters so that the next time you’re with friends you don’t just complain about the weather, your boring friends that didn’t show up, and why you wasted $50 to try and go see a movie in the theater again. (**Alternative - Taco/Cat card game. This is actually really fun with the kids)
Fun
America the Beautiful (National Park Annual Pass) - maybe we say this too much, but the U.S. has some pretty spectacular places to visit. Doesn’t have to be a national park - but make a plan to get out and see the nature in this beautiful country. (**Bonus - this Patagonia travel bag for your next adventure)
Environment
Always Pan 2.0 - there are too many toxins hiding in your cookware. This non-toxic ceramic pan has 10 uses to do just about everything you need without the chemicals we don’t want in our dinner.
Science
Sauna Membership - it’s great to get a sweat even when you’re not working out. Make it a point to get at least a few heat sessions a month at the growing number of sauna gyms all over the country. (**Alternative - bring your sauna into your home or backyard)
Thrive25 Partner Spotlight
The daily health habit you’ll actually stick with…
This time of year, it’s SO hard to stay in control of your health.
Holiday travel (and meals!), big family gatherings, dark and cold days, it’s easy to skip that workout, sleep in later than you should, or have just one more cookie.
That’s why you need a daily health habit that’s easy to stick with.
Meet AG1: With just one quick scoop every morning, you’ll get over 75 ingredients that help support your immune health, gut health, energy, and close nutrient gaps in your diet.
Right now is the best time to get started - with every new subscription, they are giving away $126 in free gifts for the holidays.
Give AG1 a try today and take control of your health this holiday season.
Explore
Dark Skies in Oregon
Oregon has six official “dark-sky areas.” These are noted communities committed to reducing light pollution - so much so that according to one town (Antelope, OR) you can “See the Milky Way from Main Street.”
It’s pretty obvious from the map that if you want to really see the stars, then Oregon is a good place to start (light pollution in yellow and red).
Check out Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge to hike during the day and soak in mineral baths at night under the stars.
H&L in the News
Inside the Gold Standard: Clinical trials are medicine’s proving ground - revealing what truly works, what’s safe, and what’s hype. Here’s how they run, why they matter, and how they shape breakthroughs that change lives. (NYTimes)
Printing Sight Back: The first 3D-bioprinted corneal implant restoring vision for a legally blind patient. A breakthrough that could turn donor scarcity into abundance and redefine the future of regenerative ophthalmology. (BioSpace)
Upgrade How You Think: Metacognition - noticing how you think - is a superpower for faster learning and sharper decisions. Here’s how simple daily habits can help you catch mistakes sooner, learn deeper, and think with more clarity and intention. (Big Think)
Brain Games
Kyudoku
This one is a 4/5 on the difficulty scale, so block a few minutes for this puzzle!
Kyudoku is a 6x6 grid where you need to use logic to find nine unique numbers (1 to 9) so that each row and column has a sum of 9 or less. The 9 highlighted in yellow is given.
Here’s a little help to get started. Because we know 9 is given, we can’t use 9 again (gray boxes) and we can also eliminate any numbers that would make the sum of the row or column with the given 1 more than 9 (blue boxes). Again, this is a little tougher - good luck!
Credit: Brainzilla
** For answer, scroll to the bottom of the email
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** Brain Games Answer **
Why Thrive25
We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 3-5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.
This newsletter is for you and we truly value your feedback. Never hesitate to reach out to us at team@thrive25.com.
To health!
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25, Inc. does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.