Holiday Gift Guide - 2020
My friends have a standing joke that I “influence” them into purchasing certain products. While my intention is not to encourage spending, when I find something great, I like to share it. I also like to put a lot of thought into gifts- they have to be something either meaningful or useful to the recipient (even better if both.). Each item below is one I personally own and love. Perhaps this might even inspire your own wish list #treatyourself. While this post is not sponsored, I receive a small commission for items purchased on Amazon.
Kitchen Tools I Can’t Live Without
Cutco Vegetable Peeler- I didn’t know how bad my carrot peeler was until I tried this one. It’s one of those items I’ll pull out of a dirty dishwasher to hand wash rather than using my second (but just not the same) clean one. This would be a very nice item to put in a stocking.
Cooper Instant Read Thermometer- Can’t live without this. If you too fight the battle between food safety and overcooked meat, you need this.
Epicurean Cutting Boards- While I love a wood cutting board, I hate that I can’t put it in the dishwasher (from both a time saving and food safety perspective). Plastic isn’t quite the same, and they get pretty gross with time. This is the best of both worlds. They also make a pizza peel which doubles as a cutting board for the pizza post bake.
Joseph and Joseph Spatula- Another great stocking item. This is my go-to tool for browning meat since it’s heat stable and can be put in the dishwasher. It’s shape and one serated edge makes it incredibly versatile.
Knife Sharpener- One day I will learn to use a steel to manually sharpen my knives. Until then, this keeps my chef’s knives in tip top shape with just a few swipes every couple weeks. I have tried many of these “swipe through” style sharpeners that don’t work. This one actually does.
Cuisinart Food Processor- While my stand mixer is pretty, I use my food processor far more often. Also, if you’re a parent about to embark on homemade baby food, don’t buy one of those baby branded machines, just buy this. If you know someone that enjoys cooking and doesn’t own one, they will thank you later!
Tramontina Non-Stick Fry Pan (Costco Link, Amazon Link)- Another Costco hidden secret. The price point on these is incredible and they are just so, so good.
Meaningful / Unique Gifts
Artifact Uprising Calendar- This is the perfect gift for a parent or other family member. Unlike the traditional wall calendar, these are beautiful and can be put anywhere in the house. I purchased these calendars for my own parents and in-laws three years ago. Each year since, I’ve given a “refill pack” comprised of photos from the year past. Artifact Uprising makes other photo keepsake items- I’ve purchased multiple photo books and framed photos.
Glassybaby- If you’re in Seattle, you likely won’t see this gift as unique, but I love giving them as gifts to those outside of the city. I look at these gorgeous hand-blown glass votives as pieces of art versus candle holders. They also make a great gift to give on multiple occasions to the same person as they provide complementary pairing suggestions on their site.
Non Food Products I’ve Been Loving Lately
Dazzle Dry Nail Polish- I had my first pedicure in almost a year a couple months ago. The esthetician used a new polish system that she reported customers could put their snow boots on only 5 minutes after application. I was skeptical, but after this non-shellac polish (comes off with regular remover) lasted for two weeks, I was sold. I purchased the system and have loved it. If you’ve noticed my nails on Instagram stories lately, that’s what I’ve been using. This would be especially useful to someone avoiding nail salons due to COVID.
Bissell Steam Mop- It may seem odd to give someone a mop, but I personally asked for this as a gift for my birthday a few years ago. If you too are disgusted by a traditional mop (hello just spreading the dirty around) and as a result avoid cleaning your floors, give this a go. The major perks for me: no cleaning solution is needed (it uses steam to clean) and I can just throw the reusable pad in the wash after each use.
High Waisted Fitted Joggers- During new mom/COVID times these are a wardrobe staple. I adore Lululemon’s align joggers but these are up there and with a much more affordable price point.