Holiday Gift Guide for the Home Cook

Hi, friends! Are you ready for Cyber Monday? I never brave the actual stores for the Black Friday shopping deals, but I’m all about ordering my gifts online. It’s easy, it’s fast, and it’s completely stress-free. In order to simplify your shopping experience even more this year, I’ve pulled together a special Holiday Gift Guide for the Home Cook — complete with tons of unique gift ideas (at every price) for those special folks on your list who seem to have everything.

Here are some of my favorites that I selected for this year’s Holiday Gift Guide…

Stocking Stuffers and Hostess Gifts for $25 or Less:

Weekend Brunch Pancake Mix ($25.00 for a Set of 3): The perfect treat for a family that might be hosting your holiday visit! This set of three pancake mixes offers delectable choices of oatmeal raisin cookie, sweet potato, and bourbon salted pecan. Made with all-natural ingredients, they include directions for either vegan or non-vegan preparation. They’re hand-mixed in Decatur, Georgia. Check them out here.

Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish ($11.50): It has been years since I painted my nails because I just couldn’t keep the polish on my fingers for more than a day or two. Now that I’ve discovered this particular brand, I am officially HOOKED. With all of the cooking, chopping, exercising, and kid-chasing that I do, this has been put to the test! It stays on chip-free for about a week! There are 41 shades to choose from, and it would make a great stocking stuffer for any busy home cook. Don’t forget to include a bottle of the clear top coat as well — it really adds shine and staying power to the base color. Check out all of the options here.

Olive Oil Dispenser ($15.99 for two): Pair one of these dispensers with a nice bottle of olive oil and you have the perfect hostess gift! I drizzle oil in dishes and on salads so often that I find it most convenient to leave one of these cruets on my counter. Buy them here.

Tree Ring Serving Board ($20.00): A lovely hostess gift for the friend who loves to entertain! This eye-catching server is made from end grain sections of Robinia. Check it out here.Honey Hive Mug Hugger ($25.00): I love this snuggly little gift for your favorite tea (or coffee) lover. Package it with a new mug and some local honey and it’s The Bee’s Knees! The mug hugger is handcrafted by artisans in Peru. Find it here.

May Designs Personalized Meal Planner (about $18): Do you know about May Books? My friend Erica introduced me to their meal planners many, many years ago and I’ve loved them ever since. I have ordered my own May Designs calendars and note pads, as well as personalized school planners for the kids’ teachers. Even my boys designed their own art books using the blank pages. Such a special way to help any home cook organize her family’s meals! You can personalize books for all of your friends here.

Cast Iron Tool Bottle Openers ($19.00): My husband would love these sturdy “tools!” The bottle openers, made of cast iron, are shaped to mimic the look and feel of classic tools. Buy them here.

Avocado Huggers ($7.95 for a Set of 2): Avocado lovers unite! I often have half of an avocado left after preparing a meal or snack for myself, so these handy little huggers would be a very welcome addition to my kitchen. The silicone cup embraces half an avocado to keep the cut fruit fresh longer. See them here.

Garden-In-A-Can ($24.00 for a Set of 4): Any home cook will appreciate fresh herbs all year long! I use them to season and freshen up our meals constantly, so in the winter and spring months it’s nice to have some small greens on my windowsill for quick snipping. Check it out here.Prism Jewelry Tray ($15.00): Perfect for the lady who removes her rings or jewelry before washing dishes or getting messy in the kitchen, this trinket tray will look beautiful AND be useful sitting by the sink. Find it here.

Healing Stone Mugs ($22.00): For all of my fellow coffee (or tea) lovers! Perk up your spirits with these hand-thrown mugs that harness the power of healing stones. See them hereFor the Little Eaters at Home:

Elwood the Unicorn Cereal Bowl or Mug ($38.00 each): Make breakfast magical! Elwood the unicorn turns a simple bowl of cereal, soup, or ice cream into a walk on the wondrous side. See the bowl here and the mug here.

Construction Plate & Utensils or Garden Plate & Utensils: ($17.50 for plate; $14.95 for utensils) My friend Erica gave my older boys the Construction utensils over 3 years ago and they are STILL a favorite in our house! These sets are a great way to make mealtime fun! Check out the Construction set here and the Garden set here.Personalized Mini Rolling Pin ($20.00): For the little bakers who love to join you in the kitchen! These would also be a fun addition to a Play-Do set. Buy one here.

Ring Jewel Ice Pop Mold ($12.00): Homemade sweet treats just got WAY more stylish! See them here.

Hidden Animal Mugs ($25.00): We had one of these with a duck at the bottom when I was little, and I still remember how much I loved that mug. Perfect for hot chocolate, chicken noodle soup, or tea parties! Check them out here.

Fishing Pole Campfire Roaster ($19.99): Keith built a fire pit in our yard not long ago, and it has quickly become a popular spot for toasting marshmallows and making s’mores. Instead of the stray stick from the yard that the kids normally use, these fishing pole roasters would be a fun solution. See them here.

The Mug with a Hoop ($24.00): There are quite a few different sports-themed mugs like this available, but the basketball hoop is especially nice for launching marshmallows in hot chocolate, O’s in cereal, or noodles in soup! Buy them here.Unique Gifts for Every Home Cook:

Reclaimed Wood Harvest Board ($105.00): Beautiful and practical, this cutting board is made from pine timbers salvaged from 19th century European structures for a unique look. It’s also a great option as a serving board for appetizers. Find it here.Dishtowels ($32 for set of 3): A home cook can never have too many dishtowels! I have this set and I love the quality, as well as the neutral tones that work for just about any season. Find them here.

Sangria Pitcher ($86.00): A beautiful and functional old world sangria pitcher is a fun surprise for any lady who loves to host a good party. Designed with a pinched spout that keeps fruit and ice from splashing into the glass, each hand-painted piece captures the spirit and tradition of Toledo. For a special touch, the pitcher is signed on the bottom by the artist and is handmade in Spain. Buy one here.

Vollrath Mixing Bowl Set ($25.99 for Set of 3): These lightweight, inexpensive bowls are the best I’ve ever used. From salads to cake batter and everything in between, this set is some of the most-used equipment in my kitchen. Buy them here.Foldable Market Basket ($29.99): Sturdy and compact, this basket can haul anything from farmer’s market finds to library books. For an even more personal gift, fill it with some of your loved one’s favorites: food, snacks, drinks, or some new reading material! Check it out here.

Cookbooks (prices vary): Anyone who likes to spend time in the kitchen will appreciate some new recipe ideas. Some of my favorite cookbooks include At Home in the Whole Food Kitchen, Morning Glory Farm, and the Family that Feeds an Island, the new Skinnytaste cookbook, and French Country Cooking.

Peanut Butter Sampler ($40.00): I need this in my life! If you know a peanut butter lover, then this is the ultimate gift: made from honey roasted peanuts, this small-batch peanut butter sampler includes six yummy blends in flavors like Happy Trails Mix; White Chocolate Pretzel; Snickerdoodle; Chocolate Toffee; Keep Smunchy; and Chocolate Coconut. Details are here.

L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream ($28.00): Frequent dishwashers will appreciate a special treat for dry hands. This is the absolute BEST that I have found. Buy it here.Row Boat Serving Bowl with Wood Serving Utensils ($65.00): The perfect option for anyone who owns a lake house, a beach house, or who just loves fishing! Get one here.

Magic Bullet NutriBullet Blender ($79.00 for a 12-piece set): One of my favorite kitchen appliances, I use this high-speed, super-powerful blender for smoothies, muffin batter, salad dressings, sauces, and more. It often gets washed and reused in my house about 2-3 times per day! Find it here.

Reclaimed Wood Cookbook Stand ($110.00): I love anything with the unique touch of reclaimed wood or a vintage feel (maybe that’s why I live in a 100-year-old farmhouse?), so this beautiful cookbook stand looks like the perfect combination of function and beauty! It’s a piece of equipment that I’d actually want to leave on my counter. Check it out hereRecycled Wine Glasses ($32.00 for a Set of 2): Love the size and shape of these glasses, which are casual enough for a sip of wine while cooking dinner in the kitchen, but sophisticated enough for cocktails with friends. The sturdy glasses are handmade in Colombia of recycled glass from car windshields and windows. So cool! Buy them here.Nesting Storage Containers ($35.00): Who doesn’t have a cabinet overflowing with plastic lids and mismatched containers? This colorful set features six nesting containers with a rainbow of snap-together lids. Such a space saver! Check them out here.

Thanks to my friends at UncommonGoods for sponsoring today’s post! If you are not already familiar with the company, it’s a privately-owned retailer headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, that endeavors to feature unique jewelry, designer décor, tabletop items, and handcrafted gifts created in harmony with the environment without harm to animals or people. UncommonGoods is devoted to supporting artists and designers; in fact, half of what the company sells is made by hand. At its core, UncommonGoods has a great respect for the integrity of the creative individual and the belief that it is the company’s responsibility to use the business to impact the world in a positive way. Love that spirit!

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