The holidays are just around the corner, so here’s some inspiration for gift giving this season. The Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide lists a dozen options that are perfect for tucking into a stocking, replacing the bow on a gift box, or giving as hostess gifts at seasonal parties. You can also pair them with related gifts from my Gourmet Gift Guide for Foodies for a little something extra. And if you want to go all out, see my Amazing Gifts for Cooks. Some of the links below are for affiliate sites, and as an Amazon Associate I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
Wooden Utensil Sets are perfect for a wide variety of kitchen tasks like stirring, breaking up ground meat, straining canned goods, and more. Plus they don’t scratch your cookware.
Chip Clips because you can never have too many. I love the Cook With Color sets of 10 the best. Enough said!
Cork Trivets are perfect for hot pots, pans, and casserole dishes and look fantastic for both everyday use and more formal occasions. The cork is non-slip material, so your dishes don’t slide around like they do with metal or ceramic trivets. They protect your table or countertop and keep your food warm. I have quartz countertops that are always cool to the touch, and setting hot items on them, even just a warm plate from the microwave, cools food down too fast. Plus I want to protect that nice surface and keep my food at the perfect temperature. They’re also versatile. I use them under my batter bowl to keep my bowl in place and place them under a vase of flowers or candles to protect my table tops. I prefer the look of the round ones, but having a variety makes it easy to choose the proper size. I also get the Cork Coasters, as well. as well. I have several sets for all over our house. You can never have too many of these! I give them to my grown kids in their stockings.
OXO 12″ Tongs are a kitchen workhorse! I love, love, love these things!! Skip the ones with the nylon heads and get the stainless steel ones. These can be used for serving meats, salads, appetizers, vegetables, just about anything really. Plus they are perfect to use for turning foods as they cook. I have three pairs of these and use them daily.
OXO Mini Tongs are all stainless and a great addition to any kitchen. Use them for serving smaller items like shredded cheese on a taco bar, or olives, pickles, and so much more. I have several of these, too, and they get used daily, as well.
A large capacity Pepper Mill that’s easy to fill and use, with multiple grind sizes makes an excellent gift. I stay away from the wooden ones because you can’t see the peppercorns inside. Go with the glass ones that are easy to check the volume and keep clean. You don’t need any fancy electric or battery-operated ones; there’s more to go wrong. It’s a bonus if you get a set with a matching Salt Grinder, too.
Stainless Steel Nesting Measuring Cups are excellent gifts. The stainless steel keeps its shape for accurate measuring and easy cleaning. I have used many different types of material in measuring cups from plastic, Tupperware, glass, and even wood. Nothing compares to the ease of use with stainless steel.
OXO Good Grips Measuring Cups are another great gift choice. The magnetic ones are great for keeping the set together in tight spaces. I like to have several sets of measuring cups, so keeping a set together is super handy when you need to find the correct size.
OXO Good Grips Measuring Spoons are perfect, too, for all the same reasons. I like the magnetic ones because they stick together in my measuring spoon tray. Yes – I have a measuring spoon tray!
The usefulness of Spoon Rests cannot be overstated, especially at holiday gatherings. I use a spoon rest for any drippy, messy dish I serve from gravy to pasta dishes. It makes cleaning up easier and I like the neatness of having the food contained instead of all over the countertop or table. If your gift recipient does any hosting whatsoever, buy the multipack. They are usually heat resistant and dishwasher safe, plus they give a refined, polished look to your buffet table.
Place Card Holders may sound like an old-fashioned idea, but they really elevate a dining space and are sure to be appreciated as a nice gift that your host will love. I like the ones that sit a little bit lower on the table, but there are so many to choose from that you can get seasonal ones, like mini pumpkins or rustic tree bark pieces.
For the baker on your list, get these Silicone Baking Cups for making muffins, cupcakes, mini cheesecakes, egg bites and much more. They are made of the highest quality, BPA-free silicone. They are nonstick (no need to use cooking spray), stain resistant, antimicrobial, and sustainable. I turn my inside out to quickly wash by hand, but they are dishwasher safe and clean great in a dishwasher, too. Plus if you don’t have a muffin tin, you can use these on a baking sheet and will equally great results. There’s even a change in the texture on the inside that helps you not overfill them. They’re fantastic! I love that my baked goods slide right out and look beautiful.
Thermapen by ThermoWorks is the best instant read thermometer! It’s highly rated and the only one I use in my kitchen. Its perfect for checking the temperature of meat, making candy, and checking the temperature of liquids for bread making. It also cleans easily and its ON SALE right now (not sponsored) for $59, which is a savings of $26. While you’re ordering from their site, pick up my favorite Mini Spatula/Spoonula Set which is on sale for HALF PRICE! They come in a choice of 10 colors. Get two sets! I swear you will LOVE these and use them daily, like I do.
Bottle Stoppers are a lovely, unexpected gift, especially if you accompany it with a bottle of wine or two! This set of three copper ones are elegant, handy and beat trying to stuff a cork back into a bottle.
I LOVE a Small Wooden Serving Board. Talk about versatility! You can use them for just about anything: cheese board, butter board, candy, charcuterie, relish tray, deviled eggs, bathroom soaps, the list goes on and on. You can even load up your small serving board with homemade fudge or snack mix for your host’s gift.
For the wooden cutting boards or serving board folks on your list, help them extend the life of their investments with Boos Block Mystery Oil and Butcher Block Cream. These products are food safe and made by the renown Boos Block Cutting Board company. (The large Boos Block boards make excellent gifts, but are too large for stockings. See my Amazing Gifts for Cooks list for those.)
Salt Cellars are great for anyone who cooks. I love this one with a magnetic swivel lid. I slide it open, grab the amount I need and flip the lid closed. Plus it looks beautiful sitting on my kitchen counter near stove.
And finally, a Milk Frother makes an excellent gift! Don’t drink coffee? Doesn’t matter! It’s for more than just creating a deliciously foamy coffee, latte, or cappuccino. Use to to blend hot cocoa, protein or collagen powder drinks, chocolate milk, and more. I love the battery operated version with a stand. It’s easy to use and clean and works great.
These items fit nicely into stockings or gift bags and your gift recipient will love that you chose a thoughtful gift they’ll actually use instead of chocolate peppermint hand lotion. Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below. Happy Holidays from Laura’s Corner Kitchen!
