Foodie Gift Guidefeatured

Eeeep! Christmas is in five days?! Seriously? Where did December go? You know those people who have all their holiday shopping done by Dec 1? Yeah, I don’t get those people. No matter how hard I try, I always seem to save all the cheer until this last week. Well, no need to panic, my procrastinating friends. Here are some gift ideas for those food-lovers in your life.

1. Big Rustic Wooden Cutting Boards

I’ve developed a bit of an obsession for big, rustic, wooden cutting boards that can do double duty as beautiful serving boards for fruit and cheese, sliced meats, or hors d’oeuvres.

Particularly enamored with these Olive Wood Paddle Boards from West Elm. Feast your eyes on that gorgeous grain and unique shape.

Also love the manliness of these Man Boards from Canvas. And the naturalness of this Ash Wood Cutting Board from Terrain. *Tree hugs*

2. Pretty Cake Stands

Who can resist a pretty cake stand? Not I. After all, you put a lot of hard work into your baked goodies. They deserve to be shown off proper.

Martha’s done it again with a number of chic and affordable options in her collection at Macy’s. My favorite is this sweet vintage number.

Tons of cute stands on Etsy. Love the bright colors and fun shapes from Delightfully Lovely.

And, thanks to a hot tip from Anita over at Dessert First, my new favorite site for cake/cupcake/cookie accoutrement is Fancy Flours. I kind of want everything on there.

3. Whiskey Stones

For the Upscale Booze Hound on your shopping list, Whiskey Stones are the perfect gift. Because friends don’t let friends dilute their high-end booze with common ice cubes. Milled from natural soapstone, these whiskey stones will perfectly chill your single malt without watering it down, and look faaancy doing it.

4. Silpats

There is no such thing has having too many Silpats. I was gifted a Silpat cookie sheet liner years ago and I am still thankful every time I bake perfectly non-stick cookies.

5. Fun Measuring Cups

Functional yet undeniably adorable, these measuring cups would make a great little gift or stocking stuffer. Lots of options here. Peep these Owl Measuring Cups from West Elm, Milk Bottle Measuring Cups from Anthropologie, Robot Measuring Cups from Kikkerland, or for more class than kitsch, I love these Flow Measuring Cups from West Elm and these very French-country-kitchen Blue and White Measuring Cups from Pier 1.

6. Hot Chocolate Maker & Milk Frother

This Cioccolata & Cappuccino from Bialetti is like the Cadillac of creamy frothy beverage makers. It’s an electric hot chocolate maker and milk frother that heats, blends, and foams to perfection. Mmmm don’t mind me…I’m just dreaming of fireplaces and big steaming mugs of creamy hot chocolate made with shavings of rich Belgian chocolate.

7. Bacon & Bourbon Tasting Box

I can think of a few men in my life that would much prefer this Bacon & Bourbon Box over new socks, underwear, slipper, ties…(fill in same old tired man gift here). Do him a solid and just give him what he wants. Bacon. And bourbon. No doubt, he’ll get a kick out of the goods (Bacon Peanut Brittles, Bacon Raleigh Bars, Bourbon Smoked Paprika, Bacon Jam, and Bourbon Cocktail Cups).

Foodzie also offers a tasting box monthly subscription where each month your recipient receives a themed selection of hand-picked artisan food products. Gift a 2, 5 or 10 month Tasting Club Subscription and you’ll get the first month free on your own Tasting Club Subscription. Gift for Loved One. Gift for Me. My kind of gifting.

8. Penzeys Spices

Let’s face it, most of us have spices that have been sitting on the shelf so long they now taste more like powdered cardboard than oregano. Out with the old, in with the new. Invigorate someone’s kitchen this year with a whole new set of spices from Penzeys — they even come in a handsome wooden gift crate. For a major spice overhaul, check out the Kitchen of Provence Gift Crate or Baker’s Gift Crate.

9. Sparkling Water Maker

I got hooked on the frizzante this summer in Italy. But, buying and lugging bottles of seltzer isn’t something I want to get into the habit of doing. Enter: SodaStream Penguin Sparkling Water Maker. Bring on the bubbles!

10. Cheese. All I want for Christmas is Cheese.

There is no gift like the gift of cheese. There, I said it. Here are some stellar picks from some of my favorite Bay Area cheese makers: Cowgirl Deluxe Organic Collection from Cowgirl Creamery, Taste of Point Reyes Gift Box from Point Reyes Cheese, and Cypress Grove Chevre’s Flashback Gift Pack.

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Also, for your shopping convenience, here are links to gift guides from Christmases past here and here, thoughtful hostess gifts, and of course, some great options for last minute DIY Food Gifts.

Merry Christmas, my friends! Sending you candy cane wishes and gingerbread dreams!!