What a lovely thread! I like how small indulgences create such comfort in daily life.

I am with Irina and Sal, a crisp linen bedding, especially when dry lined, is always a little treat! we use single duvet, so Mr Minu can have his light duvet and mine is extra warm as I am always cold.

My other luxury treats includes loose tea from Marriage Frères, it feels like a little ceremony each time I brew a cup - the ritual of it is almost as luxurious as the taste. Same with really good coffee in the morning; it can make an ordinary morning into something special.

Thank you Irina for your detailed reply. I felt like a party pooper saying what I did! It obviously does depend on lots of factors about our lifestyles, incomes etc. I felt happy to be in the company of some others regarding fancier foods!

Jenni NZ, I hope you don’t feel bad! And thank you for reminding me about food. I’m very fond of sweets and pastries. If I could, I would be eating baked goods every day! But we try to limit ourselves to weekends. It’s a treat for sure to buy a couple of pastries from one of the local bakeries. We have excellent Euro style bakeries in our neighborhood.

Buying good water for my tea ( It's a must in Bay Area, in Seattle I could use regular filtered water ). Earl Grey, Lady Grey, Matcha Green tea.
 Recently I felt that using my regular cologne on my day off ( Jo Malone - Earl Grey and Cucumber - my fav for the last 3 years ) makes me feel like I'm working and not having free day. I decided to treat myself to a new one -Jo Malone Frangipani Flower - very floral and summery.

When the basketball player Jimmy Butler had his BigFace coffee pop-up, we trekked way out there. Excellent!!! But I was up most of the night due to the caffeine. Am hoping he opens a permanent place. Quite expensive but so worth it.

Bella & Dee, for me skincare is not a category of little luxuries. I use the best I can afford and it’s an absolute necessity. I don’t expect miracles but I do what I can. Glad you found what works for you. Maybe it’s time to discuss products and routines we use.

Now I am lusting after a new perfume and a Max Mara wrap coat, haha. And maybe some tea , and the time to drink and enjoy it . Oh and I see your point about skin care not being a luxury - I find it non-negotiable too and it's a must for my mental health, lol. I buy the best I can as well, as looking youthful and vibrant is important to me as I'm still working a public facing role. Maybe once retirement happens , my standards will loosen . But I think luxury has different meanings to each of us .

I can relate to many of the luxuries here...like great foods or sheets. Or clothes with luxurious feeling fabric, for me it would be Japanese denim. But I think one of my greatest luxuries is time. To take time. Like to just sit and get immersed in reading a book, or to just feel the day, to notice how the light comes in the window or something simple like that. Or observing or hearing nature like the birds. Even when life was busier for me with working and long commutes, to take a moment to relax and take in my environment, even if it is just a moment on a bus or a freeway, can make me feel like I have time and having time makes me feel luxurious. Hope that makes sense!

I'm with Judy about nature and time
I've been enjoying my back porch again, in the mornings with my coffee, then at night with Dr. ST and the pets. Mindful screen free time!

Living in a rural area gives me access to fresh local produce (and sunflowers!) and I have my own little garden space and herb pots. Started making sourdough bread too this year.

Of course this time of year I'm outside a lot- biking, hiking, paddleboarding, etc, which feels luxurious since I have a non traditional work schedule and don't have to deal with crowds. I no longer even feel the need to travel, I just like having the time to enjoy my little part of the world.

I love this thread but feel like a party pooper because I actively dislike tea, scented candles, most scented body products, and being touched and fussed over by non-intimates in things like beauty services and massages, and (TMI) I usually sleep naked so have no need of fancy night clothes.I really sound like a curmudgeon when I see that all written down, haha. However, I do love nice bras. I also got two! Printfresh robes, one cotton and one light flannel (with print of dogs!), and they make me happy. I love Smartwool socks for padding around the house in the winter. And, of course, BREAD. Also, a small Greek food shop that is not that convenient but also not that inconvenient (just enough to make it feel like a special treat mission) makes the best yogurt I have ever tasted.
Fruit-flavored seltzer waters are another favorite tiny indulgence. But you are inspiring me to get it together and buy some good sheets, and also to feel less grumpy about the price of berries at the farmers’ market.

Ha Cookie I am sure you’re not a curmudgeon! But yes I did feel like a party pooper when I wrote my first response, Irina was so kind in her reply! Enjoy those yummy berries xx
I don’t think anyone with the user name of Cookie could be a curmudgeon anyway!

Clarifying that the luxury of the fresh local food isn't due to the cost, which is probably about same as the grocery produce, but it's fleeting nature/harvest variability due to weather conditions/ watching it grow/ knowing the farmers.
If something is grown locally, I generally won't buy it fresh out of season in the grocery store.

I'm struggling with this haha ... My DH says I never do this! I am very practical and also have guilt issues haha. Not to say I'm not supremely blessed, to Jenny's point, but just that I struggle to do things for myself for the pure joy of it. I do buy fresh flowers something 'just because', and I definitely will splurge on unnecessary lip products, although I've been working on not doing this!

I am a National Park geek, so every time we visit a National Park I get a mug. My favorite thing is choosing one of my NP mugs every morning and relaxing with a cup of coffee.
Another little luxury is a sunny summer “zero day” - one with zero appointments or commitments (we help take care of my 89 year old MIL, who we love very much but she can’t get around well anymore). I live in nature’s playground- right between the Catskills and Adirondacks in NY - so that luxurious zero sunny summer day gets spent kayaking, paddleboarding, and/or hiking.

Necessary indulgences for me: Locally roasted coffee, herbal tea from Harts, and plants (and more plants plus I buy pots for some of the plants.)

For me its:

Oh, guilt. I see Helena and Ket both mention it. I call mine “Protestant guilt” as a riff off “Catholic guilt” which I have often heard of, but I was brought up very Protestant. I have worked hard to get over it and am doing OK! Hence buying the more expensive small chocolate blocks sometimes with special flavours!