With the year coming to a close, we thought it’d be a good time to reflect on all the things we bought in 2024 — after all, the thrill of a truly life-improving purchase can sustain itself for years. And, considering Target’s eternal popularity and wide range of products, it should be no surprise that plenty of those great buys came from the red-dot boutique.
To find out what shoppers considered the cream of the Target crop this year, we asked some folks around the HuffPost office to weigh in on their favorite items from the crowd-favorite store. Below, check out our favorites for yourself. There’s a bit of everything: home decor, kitchen essentials, wardrobe staples and so much more.
HuffPost receives compensation from one or more retailers on this page, and HuffPost and its publishing partners may also receive a commission for purchases made via links. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
“I am truly obsessed with my Target sheets. They’re cute, soft and withstand the nails of my 100-pound pitbull who I (regrettably) allow in my bed.” — Jillian Wilson, wellness reporter
“Of course I have to mention ‘the best sheets known to man!’ I’ve bought them for myself, my mom has bought them, and I’ve bought them as housewarming gifts for all my friends.” — Kristen Aiken, editorial director
The sheets are available in five sizes, twin/twin XL-California king. You can get them in a range of patterns and solid colors, and each set comes with a flat sheet, fitted sheet and pillowcase(s).
“Embarrassingly, I lose my stuff A LOT and I lose my phone and keys the most. I adore that I can use the Tiles to find my keys, phone and wallet. The app is super easy to use and I haven’t found any reason to upgrade to the paid one so it’s also free! I’ve since gifted these to my mom and brother too.” — Marquaysa Battle, deputy managing editor
In addition to helping you track down lost items through the app, you can use the Tile to trigger an SOS alert to your Life360 circle if you find yourself in an unsafe situation. The Tile is water-resistant, has a 350-foot Bluetooth range and works with both iOS and Android.
“I purchased these mules in a panic one day after the shoes I chose to wear to work essentially broke. They turned out to be an A+ buy! I ended up buying them in both colors and wear them constantly (when it’s weather appropriate). They have memory foam so they’re great for long days, and the backless detail makes them an excellent transitional shoe in between seasons. I love that they look more high-end than they really are; I receive tons of compliments on them every time I wear them!” — Lindsay Holmes, senior life editor
Grab these mules in black or white (or both!), and women’s sizes 5-12.
“As someone who hates the Big Light, I’m obsessed with these little $10 lamps. I put them in little nooks around my home, including on my bathroom counter, and it just gives everything a vibe.” — Lydia O’Connor, senior reporter
You can get one of these lamps in black, white or brown. It comes with a 5-foot cord (lightbulb not included), and is 12.75 inches tall.
“I bought both of my girls this set in different colors before some summer trips, and it made organizing their stuff so much easier throughout all the adventures. They’re also well constructed, light and a nice deal at half off right now. Highly recommend!” — Kate Palmer, executive editor
The set, available in two colors, contains six packing cubes (two large, two medium and two small) and one drawstring shoe bag. The cubes all have mesh tops, zipper closures and tote handles for easy carrying. As Palmer said, for a limited time, this set is on sale for 50%off. Run, don’t walk!
“I am a sucker for an affordable candle. In the summer, I want clean, bright, fresh scents, and in the winter, I want warm and cozy scents, like this Leather and Embers candle. Imagine sitting beside a camp fire on a cold, clear night and that’s exactly where this scent — and the crackling wood wick — will transport you.” — Noah Michelson, head of HuffPost Personal
The 8-ounce candle comes in a lidded glass jar, and promises up to 54 hours of burn time.
“This may seem like a fairly un-special Target purchase, but I have always said that the retailer nails home decor — and specifically candles — every time. Since I first smelled this candle by Target’s in-house brand Room Essentials, I’ve repurchased several and tried out a few other scents from the same line that I also enjoyed. I love that each candle comes in a really cool milky-colored glass with a lid that feels so much more luxurious than its $10 price tag would let on. This particular scent is surprisingly complex, warm, slightly earthy and not overly sweet. I like that the candle uses soy wax, so it’s slower burning, and it looks good enough to display on my coffee table without clashing with my decor.” — Tessa Flores, shopping writer
“I’m obsessed with Target’s button-downs and usually buy a few throughout the year. I have a number of these striped boyfriend-fit shirts in prints that are sadly no longer available, but I love the classic blue stripe or the unique black pinstripe that’s currently in the rotation. These cotton shirts are easy to care for and stay surprisingly crisp throughout washes. They’re also incredibly affordable, so it’s easy to stock up if you tend to wear button-downs constantly (as I do).” — Emily Ruane, managing editor
You can grab this shirt in four colors and patterns right now, and sizes XS-4X.
“This year we retired the dining room table and chairs we scored for next to nothing on Facebook marketplace five years ago. These Target dining room chairs were a step up that still didn’t break the bank. They have held up well after a few months of use and make our dining room look polished. They’re also easy to clean; big stains have come out with the help of a carpet shampooer, and smaller ones can be wiped away with a damp cloth.” — Paige Lavender, news director
The chairs come in a range of colors (five are currently in stock), but heads up: The chairs are sold in sets of two for some colors, and as single units in others. Assembly is required, but tools are provided and reviewers seem to agree that it can be done in minutes pretty easily. The chairs can hold up to 250 pounds.
“My 20-month-old son has an incredible ability to whip a hat off his head before I’ve even finished putting it on, but he doesn’t even try with this Cat & Jack hat. He loves the way the faux fur feels against his cheeks, and I love knowing both his head and face are shielded from the cold. The strap on the bottom is easy to secure with velcro. Plus, it’s very cute. He loves that it makes him look like a character from his favorite TV show — Hank from Netflix’s ‘Trash Truck.’” — Lavender
The hat comes in two sizes: 12-24M and 2T-5T.
“[I] replaced my cooking utensils with ones from their Figmint line. Really nice quality for $3.” — Greta Geiselman, senior director
If you’ve been looking to get rid of your black plastic utensils lately, here’s one option: Made with a soft grip nylon, this spatula won’t scratch up your nonstick cookware, and has an ergonomic handle with a hole so you can hang it from a hook. It’s also dishwasher-safe.
“I try to stick to 90% thrifted clothing but every few years I’ll grab a new pair of sweatpants. These red ones caught my eye last year and have become a staple in the rotation. They’re comfy, can go a few years without a wash (I’m gross, whatever) but have kept their shape and not got too pilly after being worn and washed a ton.” — Griffin Wynne, shopping writer
The joggers come in six colors and sizes XS-4X. They have two side pockets and an elastic drawstring waistband.
Geiselman also recommends the Owala FreeSip stainless steel reusable water bottle, which you can get in a ton of fun color combinations and three sizes. With double wall insulation and a locking push-button lid, this bottle can keep your drinks cold four up to 24 hours. The lid, which is dishwasher-safe, is designed so you can either sip through the built-in straw or drink from the spout opening.
“I had been thinking about grabbing a scraper for a while and finally did it this year. It’s a small but super useful kitchen tool that is great if you love to use fresh herbs, chopped onion and other aromatics. It makes it so easy to carry stuff from the cutting board to the pot. I think it’s intended to be a baking tool, so if I ever decide to make a pie, I’m already set up for success. ” — Wynne
The scraper is dishwasher-safe with a non-slip handle. The stainless steel blade also has quarter-inch markings, so you can measure ingredients with ease.
“I like a bit of wacky decor in my apartment that still makes it look like a grown-up lives there, and this snake bathroom rug perfectly fits that bill. It’s graphic and cute without being distracting. I was worried it wouldn’t hold up in the wash, but it still looks good. I love having a weird little snake to greet me every time I step foot in the bathroom.” — Jillian Capewell, senior copy editor
The rug measures 18-by-30 inches and has a medium pile height. And don’t worry — it’s machine-washable.
“These highly-requested ‘Unicorn Academy’ toys were a huge hit on Christmas morning. My 3.5- and 5-year olds are enormous fans of the show (which I also secretly enjoy), which I’d best describe as a mashup of ‘My Little Pony’ and the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise with a dash of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ (mostly due to the Maleficent-like villain) thrown in. Each of these dolls stands about five inches in height and comes with a matching unicorn with a brushable mane.” — Ruane
“After years and years of wearing mismatched t-shirts and boxers to bed, I’ve been aspiring in my mid-30s to become a Pajama Set Girly. Most cute PJ sets I’ve found online are shockingly expensive, but this set from Target’s Auden line is not only super affordable but extremely comfortable! It’s the first pair I reach for whenever they’re clean — begging Target to add more colorways so I can get another pair!” — Mollie Reilly, managing editor
The set comes in black, gray and navy blue. You can buy it in women’s sizes XS-4X.
“In a particularly intense depression episode, I started buying this neon childhood fav for the comforting smell and to encourage to shower more. I’m doing better at the moment (thankfully) but have continued to buy a giant tub of Suave apple 3-in-1. One bottle lasts about six months. I love the smell, I love the easy pump top and frankly I just I love it as a body wash. If you’re looking for a fresh, fun smelling soap to get your through the winter blues, this bad boy is it.” — Wynne
“When I saw this tiny Stanley cup in store, I had to get it for my mom. It’s so stupid cute, the top actually opens so you could use it as a pill case or to hold a $20 or something, but she’s using it as a Christmas tree ornament that just makes everyone laugh when they see it.” — Wynne
You can grab this little Quencher, which is just under 4 inches tall, in red or gold.
“‘Can I take this to my home?’ was the first thing my nephew asked me when he spotted this dinosaur duffle bag in Target. We were hunting down Sonic The Hedgehog PJs for his school’s Pajama Day, so I had to stay focused. But, of course, what Trey-Trey wants, he gets (as long as it’s healthy and safe), so this bag [was] under his tree.” — Battle
The bag features a zipper closure, adjustable strap and double handles. According to reviews, it’s probably better for a short trip, based on the capacity (it’s 23 inches long).