This is a busy time of year — we get it. But lucky you, we’ve put together a list of our best, can’t-miss, smiles-are-guaranteed gifts for the season. To make it even easier, we’ve even broken them out by recipient. So whether you’re shopping for cooks, bakers, entertainers or the whole family, your list is covered and your shopping is done. You’re welcome.
For the Cook
This one slim pan has basically solved weeknight dinner problems. You can use it to quickly grill steaks, fish, pork, chicken, all manner of fresh vegetable, you name it—weather, be damned. The glass lid is an added bonus because it lets the cook add liquid to also steam-cook food, which means more nutrients stay in and less smoke is created. It’s also large enough to easily accommodate dinner for two.
#2 Sansaire Sous-Vide Immersion Circulator
Fact: gadget lovers and foodies will immediately squeal with delight when they open this; time-strapped cooks of all skill levels will fall in love after the first use. Sous-vide is an on-trend cooking method used widely in acclaimed restaurants that enables delicious, perfectly cooked and easily repeatable results. It’s also largely hands-off, so it’s a great way for busy people to fit top-notch homemade meals into their routine.
You can learn more about how it works here, and here, and here.
#3 Breville Fast Slow Pro Pressure and Slow Cooker
Pressure cooking is having a moment right now, so if there’s a cook on your list, chances are she’s curious about trying it out. This new cooker from Breville takes all the guesswork out of pressure cooking, so it’s easy for them to start using it right away—and safely, too. Bonus: It’s also a slow cooker, which means two gifts in one!
We have a few tips on using them, which you can read here.
For the Baker
#4 KitchenAid Spiralizer Attachment
One of the advantages of having a KitchenAid mixer is adding to its versatility with attachments—and this spiralizer is one of the most useful attachments yet. Not only does it let you spiralize all kinds of produce, but it also peels, cores and slices. It’s basically a one-stop produce shop. You can read more about its versatility (with recipes!) here.
But, if your recipient doesn’t have a stand mixer yet, there’s no point in giving them this attachment. Which brings us to …
#5 KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer
Bottom line, every kitchen needs one of these—and there’s a reason your grandma’s KitchenAid still works. A gift with staying power, these powerful, durable, well-built machines are essential for mixing all types of batters and dough. They also come with a whisk attachment for the airiest whipped cream and a dough hook for heavier bread and pizza dough. They’re available in so many colors, you’re also sure to find the perfect shade for your recipient.
#6 Sur La Table Platinum Professional 7-Piece Bakeware Set
Made in the USA to commercial standards, this set of bakeware will keep everyone from avid cooks to casual bakers covered. But this isn’t just a great gift for bakers—home cooks will love using these pieces to roast vegetables and meat, too. The raised texture on the cooking surfaces creates some of the best browning we’ve ever seen.
For the Family
This is such a cool way to make game night or movie night even more fun, and it’s simple enough for kids to operate easily. Just add popcorn kernels and turn the Easy Pop on, then season your freshly popped popcorn however you like. Since you control the seasonings, it’s a smart way to enjoy popcorn made without artificial flavors or colorings, too.
#8 Sur La Table Salted Caramel Confections
Trust us, everyone on your lists wants these handcrafted treats made exclusively for us by Jo’s Candies, a family-run candy-making shop in Southern California. The treats blend signature chocolates with creamy, decadent caramel — all finished with a pinch of sea salt. And they’re completely addicting. When you’re stocking up on tins for teachers, coaches, neighbors, colleagues, etc., be sure to grab a few for you, too. After all, what’s the harm in treating yourself a little this season?
For the Entertainer
#9 Zwilling J. A. Henckels Steak Set
A great gift for people who love to entertain — or who at least just love to eat a good steak now and then. Made of high-carbon stainless steel for exceptional durability and performance, these German-made knives come in a handy wood box for easy storage. And who knows—a gift this nice just might get you an invitation to said steak-lover’s next dinner party, right?
#10 Nespresso Evoluo Deluxe with Aeroccino Plus
Your hostess with the mostess will no longer have to hustle about the kitchen after a dinner party, brewing a pot of coffee over here for some people and pulling espresso shots for cappuccino over there for the others. This one, simple machine from Nespresso does it all easily, so the host can rest easy. Just pop in the appropriate capsule, press a button and voilà. Everyone’s favorite drink, made to order and made perfectly each time.
Great post.