Alright, December is underway and I am sure you have people to shop for. But is this a year where you find yourself in a rut? Is your gift-giving creativity at an all-time low? No worries, because I am here to help you out with my recommended gift for 2024. Before I reveal it, just a little background info…

For “Brent’s Gift of the Year” I choose a practical and inexpensive gift suggestion that retails in the $10-$15 range. The goal is for it to be versatile in a way that makes it a perfect choice for a Chinese gift exchange, stocking stuffer, or a thoughtful present.

For example, in 2018 I suggested an LED cinema lightbox marquee, in 2019 I championed a blanket, in 2020 I pushed a framed photo, in 2021 I recommended a book of stamps, in 2022 I invited my readers to pick out a tasty six-pack of beer that the recipient would appreciate, and in 2023 I pitched cookie mix.

If you can tell by the above, I always try to recommend something that goes beyond just a one-dimensional material gift. I strive to support a present that will make the recipient feel a certain type of way. My goal is for the gift to awaken the senses and encourage the recipient to fondly remember the giver. I believe this year’s recommendation is right on target with what I try to do.

Perhaps nothing elicits memories, feelings, and relationships like smell. A positive distinctive aroma can flood the brain with dopamine and bring an individual back to some of the most pleasant and carefree moments of one’s life. Fortunately, in this modern day and age, these types of scents can be captured in a bottle.

My recommended gift of the year is air freshener.

Those of you who know me are well are aware that I champion the therapeutic effects of air freshener. I also feel like I know a good air freshener when I smell one. In fact, one of the most popular blog posts I have ever written for Don’t Blink was six years ago when I ranked my top Glade scents. But my recommended gift of the year goes beyond your generic Hawaiian breeze and apple cinnamon scents.

Specifically, this year, I am recommending that you purchase an eccentric but pleasing out-of-the-ordinary air freshener aroma. To get what you need, may I suggest a brand called Chemical Guys?

Beau holds my 2024 recommended holiday gift…air freshener by Chemical Guys. He is holding the Fresh Glazed Doughnuts scent.

Enter the world of wacky and delightful air fresheners with scents like buttered up popcorn, hot glazed buns, and crunchy bacon. Crazy, right? Chemical Guys produces air fresheners that specialize in nostalgia and fun. Imagine the look on someone’s face at a Chinese gift exchange when they unwrap a coffee-scented air freshener bottle or your cousin’s reaction when he comes face-to-face with the company’s beer-scented offering. Chemical Guys even sells more obscure scents like cold hard cash money and mom’s pound cake.

My recommended gift for 2024 is air freshener. Specifically, I am pitching the wacky scents from Chemical Guys.

You might be asking yourself: Are these air fresheners just gimmicks? Do they even smell as advertised? Well, let me provide you with the answer to those questions…no and yes. Because I wouldn’t recommend any product that your favorite blogger hasn’t actually tried, I ordered three Chemicals Guys products. I tried fresh glazed doughnuts, purple stuff, and chuy bubble gum. They were all distinctive, fragrant, and long-lasting.

Me holding the Purple Stuff air freshener by Chemical Guys. It smells just like grape soda.

The Chemical Guys air fresheners make terrific Christmas gifts for several reasons. First, you can order them in a size perfect for the glove compartment of your car or a size crafted for around your house. Second, like I already mentioned, they work. Third, they are extremely affordable as the smaller bottles run $4-$5 while the bigger bottles run $8-$10. Fourth, the variety is vast as you are guaranteed to find a scent that matches the personality of your recipient. Fifth, these air fresheners are extremely unique. Sixth, no one is never going to forget who gave them the crunchy bacon air freshener and if you don’t mind being associated with that scent, why not go for it?

After just smelling Chuy Bubble Gum air freshener by Chemical Guys you will feel like you want to blow a bubble.

I am excited for this year’s recommended gift and I feel like a lot of my readers are going to give Chemical Guys a chance. If you do, let me know which scent you purchased and I just might include your review in a future Thursday Rundown. Don’t Blink.