Gift guides for people with taste
four themed guides, food & bev subscriptions, where to shop, & more
I have still not accepted that it’s nearly the middle of November, and clearly the weather hasn’t either, but sure enough we have arrived at the holiday season. As I was building these guides I wasn’t sure what the themes would be or how many I’d make but like everything I do it has turned into a run on sentence of sorts. I attempted to show restraint with my choices and with my explanations, note that I did not give notes for every single item even though i’d love to tell you my reasons for it all.
It is not lost on me that the last time I posted here was to tell you to shop less but I can stand by everything I said there and simultaneously stand by everything here. I also think that’s why you can trust me — I shop slow and I am extremely picky. Let me comb through the internet, the depths of my memory, and corners of my home to compile only the best. I believe in quality over quantity so this list will inherently have items at higher price points but I tried to gather a range. I would always rather give and receive less if that means there was more intention.
Before we begin a few notes:
Some of these links are affiliate links (all through shopmy) but many are not since they’re from small shops and brands. If you want to use my link, thank you - and if you don’t want to use my link that’s okay too.
Take this as inspiration - you like the idea but not the specific item I picked? That’s okay!
Many of these items are available at a variety of stores, shop them elsewhere if it makes more sense for you! I tried to pick places with lower shipping minimums, better prices, etc.
Combine! Several of these items are best paired with something — fancy salt with the salt sphere, wine with the wine bag, chip clips as an add on, etc
Promo codes at the bottom!
GIFTS FOR THE HOST
1. fish bottle opener, $12 // 2. dansk pots, $72-149 // 3. wine bag, $49 // 4. steak knife set, $65 // 5. cloud jigger, $25 // 6. spiral coasters, $75 // 7. taper candles, $23 // 8. salt sphere, $65 // 9. set of 6 tumblers, $16 // 10. tomato candle, $60 // 11. napkins, $88 // 12. serving set, $62 // 13a. truffle tin, $45 / 13b. truffle tin, $40 // 14. fish citrus squeezer, $19 // 15. fish chip clip, $3
NOTES:
Dansk pots are beautiful enough to serve straight from the pot & the lid also serves as a trivet. Sometimes I’ll use it for serving things like a salad, it’s just that versatile.
The wine bag link I provided above is shipping from Singapore (where the brand is from) and the site will show SGD instead of USD but you will be charged USD - the exchange is also currently in our favor. This is the only place I could find in the US selling this item and only one color is in stock.
Jean Dubost Laguiole makes everything from cheese knives to cutlery sets and even bottle openers.
Add a nice salt like Maldon to this gift for the perfect pair. Costco has the tub of Maldon or you can find the boxes at most grocery stores.
Duralex Picardie glasses come in a variety of sizes and are super durable - think the pyrex of France!
Sabre Paris makes cutlery, serving utensils and more in such a wide range of colors and styles there is truly something for everyone - even small things like bottle openers, butter spreaders, and peelers. They recently added the option to order custom pieces online, previously only available at their Paris storefront, which would make a gift even more personal.
I know, I know, $40 box of chocolate sounds crazy but these are worth it to me and feel so special to gift. I eat these one at a time over the course of a few weeks and the box is metal so it’s the perfect keepsake to hold small items. They also come in a myriad of colors and special designs.
GIFTS FOR THE PERSON ALWAYS AT THE FARMERS MARKET
1. apple puzzle, $18 // 2. knife set, $42 // 3. tote, $139 // 4. eau de parfum, $75-300 // 5. kitchen towels, $31 // 6. cabbage plate, $50 // 7. fish pocket knife, $14 // 8. hand cream, $62 // 9. fruit bowl, $98 // 10. lip butter, $8 // 11. hulken bag, $105 // 12. tomato dish soap, $30 // 13. glass container, $15
NOTES:
This is me holding restraint, there is definitely a story happening with this one but I’ll let you use your imagination and just leave one note for this guide.
Opinel - another one of those brands making a plethora of beautiful pieces!
GIFTS FOR THE HOME COOK OR CHEF
1. spice set, $56 // 2. tongs, $30 // 3. kitchenware set, $350 // 4. citrus press, $75 // 5. microplane, $30 // 6. kitchen timer, $26 // 7. butcher block, $129 // 8. peeler, $30 // 9. saucier, $169 // 10. kitchen shears, $35 // 11. angled board, $58
NOTES:
Burlap and Barrel spices are the kind of seasonings that make you question how you ever lived without them before.
These are made by Gestura but they’re sold out on their site & the fishwife ones are the same! While you’re there would be a good time to pick up some Fishwife too ;)
There are several Material Kitchen items here and I love even more pieces from them - honestly just recommend perusing their site & they’re also sold at the container store now.
Microplane master series — a nicer and more beautiful version of a tool every chef loves. This also comes in a variety of sizes/grates.
There are only two Made In items here but I have several pans, the butcher block, and a knife and I love all of them. Super dependent on what the chef in your life needs!
GIFTS FOR THE HOMEBODY
1. puzzle, $38 // 2. eye gel, $44 // 3. reusable eye masks, $25 // 4. terry towel, $18-$125 // 5. electric kettle, $250 // 6. lamp, $99 // 7. hand wash, $43 // 8. espresso cup & saucer, $25 // 9. coffee cup & saucer, $35 // 10. throw blanket, $149 // 11. eye mask, $48 // 12. candle, $65
NOTES:
& 3 are the perfect pair, I recommend gifting together.
I know what you’ve heard and I need to assure you that this is NOT overrated but you must get the Reverence one specifically. It has grit to it so it’s exfoliating and the scent lasts.
This candle is the perfect winter candle — it’s crispy in a clean way and just enough pine without screaming pine IYKWIM.
ROCCO FRIDGE
This is a big purchase, for someone you really love, but I had to share that it is on it’s once a year sale right now for $250 off. I love mine and don’t regret this purchase at all — would truly be the star gift of the season! Also, there are two special editions out right now, one with Las Jaras with a gold handle + free wine and one with Tyler Micgillivary in green + free kin & more (these two are excluded from the sale but the gifts with purchase are worth more).
Food & Beverage subscriptions
When you want to give the gift that keeps on giving. A subscription is a great way to make someone you don’t live near think of you monthly for the next few months, or year. Pair their subscription with a physical gift that matches the theme.
Example: For the coffee subscription, gift a mug or kettle; for the wine subscription gift wine glasses.
Blue Bottle, coffee
Cheerie Lane, popcorn pods
Spring & Mulberry, chocolate
Las Jaras, wine
Burlap & Barrel, spices
Rancho Meladuca, dates
Lata Shop, tinned fish
Graza, olive oil
Primary beans, beans
If that wasn’t enough, here are some small shops + a few big shops that I love:
Promo Codes
Adding any promo codes I have for ease:
Material Kitchen: KRISTIANAMATERIAL, 20% off
Graza: KRISTIANA, $5 off anything
Spring & Mulberry: NOEL15, 15% off your first purchase
Casa de Suna: CDSxKRISTIANA for 10% off
Will update this if any others come through!
Wait there’s more: GIFTING HOTLINE
This is not remotely exhaustive of the things I would recommend to gift, I barely touched on highly giftable food items — do we want this next? I could probably get that posted this week — so I’m leaving you with the request to comment your gifting needs. Think of it like a gifting hotline and tell me as many details about who you want to gift to or a category you need expert eyes on.
I’ll follow up individually or if there are patterns I’ll add it to a second gifting post.
excellent, thank you for your work!! I love a good gift guide
This list is great- I bookmarked a bunch of new-to-me brands. I would love to see additional food gift guides- this is typically what I send to my extended family for holiday gifts since we all love food and don’t need more “stuff.”