The holiday season is officially here and I’m so excited to share my 2018 gift guide with you. Although I don’t typically agree with the American consumerist philosophy, the holidays are a great time to splurge on something special you’ve been eyeing all year – whether for yourself or a loved one. I’ve been keeping tabs on the latest and greatest in cookbooks, kitchenware, and eco-minded items for the past couple of months and rounded up my top 12 gift ideas below.
Which of these would you be most excited to find under the tree?
1. Ottolenghi’s SIMPLE was one of the most anticipated cookbooks of the year and it did not disappoint. SIMPLE features plenty of his signature Middle Eastern flavors, but unlike his previous books, you don’t need to be a pro chef with a restaurant pantry to cook from it. Apart from the photography, the coolest thing about the book is that it uses the word “simple” as an acronym to categorize the recipes and each page is marked with the corresponding letters: S = Short on time, I = 10 ingredients or less, M = Make ahead, P = Pantry-driven, E = Easier than you think. ($28 in stores, $13.90 on Amazon)
2. New cookware line Great Jones has taken the food world by storm in only a matter of weeks. Their philosophy is that cookware should be functional and beautiful enough to double as home decor. Their Dutch oven – cleverly named The Dutchess – comes in 5 awesome colors and just may become a new family heirloom. ($145)
3. Help your loved ones cut down on their single-use plastic with these reusable drawstring bags. They are made of cotton, machine-washable, and perfect for produce and the bulk bin section. ($19 for 6)
4. Ditch the ugly Christmas sweater and go for one of Everlane‘s classic designs instead. Their relaxed silhouettes and muted colors are what winter wardrobe dreams are made of. What’s even cooler than the clothes are the company’s production standards: they are completely transparent about the factories where the clothes are made so you know exactly where your money’s going… which explains the slightly inflated price tags. (Prices vary)
5. A chef’s knife is the single best gift you can give any home cook. That’s right, just one – there’s no need for that bulky knife set that sits on the counter and collects dust. I swear by my 8-inch Mercer knife and have used it for over 10 years. I love Mercer because the knives are professional-grade yet budget-friendly. ($42)
6. Wanna gift an experience instead of a physical item? Check out your local cooking classes. In NYC, I recommend Natural Gourmet Institute, the Institute of Culinary Education, and Haven’s Kitchen. (I’m also teaching my first cooking class in Syracuse this winter. RSVP here!)
7. This funky mesh bag from Junes is a functional and stylish way to tote farmers market produce home. The tote features pockets in both corners of the bag, which are perfect for carrying bottles of wine, olive oil, and even sneakers to the gym. Junes bags are produced by an independent women’s cooperative in Mexico and a portion of all proceeds goes to organizations that help stop violence against women. ($27)
8. Need a gift for the hostess with the mostest in your life? Rebekah Peppler’s Aperitif: Cocktail Hour the French Way is a gorgeous little cookbook filled with easy cocktail recipes and small bites to help you host the perfect apéro chez toi. ($18.99 in stores, $12.91 on Amazon)
9. Los Angeles’s Sqirl is almost single-handedly responsible for the recent boom of trendy “breakfast all day” cafes. Give the gift of LA’s chill vibe with Sqirl’s jam subscription. Their jams are made with the best of California’s produce and feature unique flavors like Persian Mulberry and Blood Orange. ($60 for 4 jars or $14 for 1)
10. Got a tea lover in your life? Treat them to a personalized tea subscription box from Sips By. I recently ordered one for Rene for his birthday and he loved it! ($45 for 3 months)
11. Coffee more their thing? Check out Trade. Trade will deliver roasted-to-order coffee beans from any roaster in the country directly to your loved one’s door. The coolest part: they help you find your new favorite coffee thanks to a simple quiz. Use code TheNewBaguette for 50% off (up to $25) your first order! (Prices vary)
12. Did you know that ground coffee is only considered fresh for about two weeks? This sophisticated grinder from OXO features 15 grind settings and is the perfect gift for the coffee snob in your life. ($99)
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