Official 2012 Food Lush Gift Guide

by Caitlin

The 2012 Official Food Lush Gift Guide is here!

Just like I said in last year's guide: gift giving can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be. I think the best gifts are the ones that are thoughtful, useful, fun, and/or are not necessarily something someone would buy for themselves (but can't live without, once they get it!). With that in mind, what better way to achieve those goals than a food-centered gift? Everyone's gotta eat!

I've hunted down the best bargains I can find for items that are classic, endurable, well-reviewed, and/or favorites in my kitchen. This year we have 75 things under $25 and 25 things over $25.

Ready? Go!

1. The Cook's Illustrated Cookbook: 2,000 Recipes from 20 Years of America's Most Trusted Cooking Magazine. I started last year's guide with a subscription to my favorite magazine, Cook's Illustrated. It was one of the items I heard the most feedback about, and this year I'm kicking things off with the ultimate cookbook by my favorite food people. Buy one for yourself, then one for everyone else on your list. Currently only $23, that's a steal.

(Photo from cooksillustrated.com)

2. Pantone mugs, $15. For the designer in your life, a Pantone mug. Pick their favorite color and pair it with your favorite hot chocolate, tea, coffee....or wine.

(Photo from aplusrstore.com)

3. Marble mortar and pestle, $13.95-24.95.

(Photo from surlatable.com)

4. OXO Good Grips locking tongs, $11.99. Versatile, different sizes, available with silicone or metal tips. There are at least three pairs in my kitchen.

(Photo from amazon.com)

5. Red rooster twine holder with built-in cutter, $14.99.

(Photo from kaboodle.com)

6. Ice princess straws, $6.99.

(Photo from thinkgeek.com)

7. Wine stopper, $6.99. Attach this to a good bottle of bubbly (try a Food Lush rec!) and you're still under $25!

(Photo from bedbathandbeyond.com)

8. Real maple syrup. The best. Truly, the best. There's no substitute, and I'm looking you in the eye, Aunt Jemima, when I say that. Check out the Vermont Maple Syrup official website for a list of various sugar makers selling online.The Burgess Sugarhouse has beautiful glass liters of real Vermont maple syrup for only $18.

(Photo from burgesssugarhouse.com)

Also check out their gift packs, with pairs of maple syrup and maple cream. The maple cream is described as "100% Pure Vermont Maple Syrup boiled, cooled and stirred resulting in a creamy product which spreads easily on toast." I'll take three, please.

(Photo from americastestkitchenfeed.com)

9. Vintage mod champagne coupes, $12.

(Photo from Etsy seller Vint. etsy.com/shop/vint )

10. Julienne peeler, $9.99. For easy, matchstick vegetables.

(Photo from bedbathandbeyond.com)

11. Cheese slate. Dishwasher safe, non-porous, non-skid feet attached. Soapstone pencil for labelling cheeses is included; various sizes, starting at $25.

(Photo from brooklynslate.com)

12. Finger sporks, $4.99. Maybe these will get your kids to eat their veggies. (Perfect stocking stuffers!)

(Photo from thinkgeek.com)

13. Luscious dried pears, $10. Perfect alongside cheese, nuts, and a bottle of wine; or to fill a stocking.

(Photo from https://katzfarm.katzandco.com)

14. Classic wine coaster. Only $11, so you can still throw in a bottle of your favorite under-$15 wine and be at about $25.

(Photo from crateandbarrel.com)

15. Platter, $17.

(Photo from allmodern.com)

16. Ninjabread men cookie cutters, $10!

(Photo from landofnod.com)

17. Angled measuring cup, $8.95. For easing reading with getting a crick in your neck. I can't live without mine. Include a box of your favorite cookies or cupcakes, for baking inspiration.

(Photo from http://www.coffeekrave.com)

18. Orange or grapefruit handcrafted bitters, $4.

(Photo from eatboutique.com)

19. Mini salt and pepper shakers. My husband would argue that no food should be served needing salt or pepper, but I'm enamoured with the idea of everyone at the table having their own little shakers. Set is 12 bottles (6 pairs, comes with tray), and at just $12.95 you could get two sets and pair them with your favorite fine sea salt and fancy ground pepper for a still-reasonably-priced gift.

(Photo from chefscatalog.com)

20. Charles Chips, $19.95. Remember these? Give the gift of nostalgia! Delicious, crunchy, salty nostalgia.

(Photo from charleschips.com)

21. Drizzle stick, $6.

(Photo from fusionbrands.com)

22. Leopard oven mitt, $8.96. Oh, yes, my friends.

(Photo from surlatable.com)

23. Spider skimmer, $9. An indispensable kitchen tool in my kitchen, with endless uses.

(Photo from amazon.com)

24. Unfiltered organic olive oil, $21.99 "...very unique green color, spicy taste and herbaceous flavor...a great finishing oil for salad dressings and to drizzle on soups or pastas."

(Photo from ditalia.com)

25. Salsabol, $16+. Sweep it up the sides: form and function so you can get the salsa on the chip and keep the salsa on the chip.

(Photo from uncommongods.com)

26. Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, $19.75. Deb's gorgeous photography and impressive recipes have finally come together on paper. Check out the Smitten Kitchen blog for a primer!

(Photo from amazon.com)

27. Stainless steel mixing bowls. A classic that can be hard to find these days. Three sizes, from $5.95 to $13.95.

(Photo from kingarthurflour.com)

28. A fun tea ball and a bag of your favorite looseleaf. I can't get enough of this Tea Diver for $12!

(Photo from aplusrstore.com)

And this rubber ducky ($9.99) is completely ridiculous and totally fun, especially for the little tea drinker in your life.

(Photo from thinkgeek.com)

29. Wall mounted bottle opener, $8.54. I have one on my deck and it has a way of making even the smallest gathering feel like a party. Under ten bucks, so throw in your favorite six pack, too.

(Photo from amazon.com)

30. Milk Chocolate Baumkuchen, $9.99. A German Christmas tradition. 15 layers, baked one at a time!

(Photo from germandeli.com)

31. Butter bell, $24.95. Keep your butter soft and spreadable at all times.

(Photo from cooking.com)

32. Pickle ornament, $4.95.

(Photo from crateandbarrel.com)

Cocktail ornaments, $14.85.

(Photo from crateandbarrel.com)

Rolling pin ornament, $6.

(Photo from thestylecure.com)

33. Grill comb, $19.95. A different way to kebab. Set of four.

(Photo from launfd.com)

34. Ice cream ball, $17.93. Great for the backyard, camping, the beach, or just 20 minutes of keeping the kids busy.

(Photo from icecreamjournal.turkeyhill.com)

35. Hand carved salad tongs, $18.25. I received these as a gift, and they're simply lovely; beautifully carved from one piece of wood. I don't know why it hasn't ever occured to me to give a pair to someone else! As a bonus, these are available through Gifts With Humanity, a fair trade organization you can feel good about supporting.

(Photo from amazon.com)

36. Traditional steel paella pan, $23. 15 inches, serves 6. La Tienda has everything else you need for paella making, too. Check out their selection of rice, cookbooks, starter kits, accessories, and ingredients at tienda.com.

(Photo from tienda.com)

37. Knobby juice glasses, $4/each (on sale!). Pick one of each color, and they'll still be under $25.

(Photo from anthropologie.com)

38. Leopard print high-heel cake server, $13.07. Sturdy stainless steel that's not just for show, and mine gets a laugh every time I pull it out at a party. The leopard heel is removable.

(Photo from amazon.com)

39. Dried wild mushroom mix. For the risotto lover in your life. Throw in a box of arborio rice, and your favorite mushroom risotto recipe. You can't get much better than $17 for this mix, which includes chanterelles.

(Photo from williams-sonoma.com)

40. Speaking of mushrooms, how about a mushroom garden? ($19.99) Grow your own!

(Photo form thinkgeek.com)

41. My Life in France, $18.16. Julia Child's memoir of her entree to food. A must-read for any Julia fan.

(Photo from malisaprice.com)

42. Le Creuset spatula, $9.99. Because a kitchen can never have too many spatulas, and these are the best. Available from several places in many colors and sizes, so be sure to shop around.

(Photo from amazon.com)

43. Kid's chef's coat, $23.95. Pick a size, and get it embroidered for $7.95 more. Watch the tiny chef in your life keel over from excitement.

(Photo from http://www.growingcooks.com)

44. Pair the chef's coat with a Kid's oven mitt. Perfectly sized for little hands, in a variety of colors. At only $4.95, they'd make a great stocking stuffer! You can also get a monogrammed one for $9.95.

(Photo from growingcooks.com)

45. Silicone poach pod, $9.95.

(Photo from cheftools.com)

46. Two-tier wire basket, $19.99.

(Photo from worldmarket.com)

47. Dave's Bloody Mary mix, $7.99. My husband, the Bloody Mary connoiseur, has tried them all, and this is his favorite. Nothing fake, corn syrup free. Pair it with your favorite vodka for a hope-you-make-it-through-the-holidays gift for the Bloody Mary lover in your life.

Maybe throw in Dave's spicy nut trio, too, $19.99.

Or there's always the hot sauce gift pack, $24.99.

(Photos from davesgourmet.com)

48. Polka dot offset spatula, $~3.

(Photo from thestylecure.com)

49. Gift certificate to a favorite place or a local hit on Yelp! We had this on our guide last year, but we'd be remiss not to mention it. Always a good idea.

(Photo from ignitewoo.com)

50. Herb keeper, $15.95.

(Photo from chefscatalogue.com)

51. Tender at the Bone: Growing Up At the Table, $10.88. For the bookworm foodie in your life. Memoir of Ruth Reichl, New York Times Food Critic and former Editor in Chief of Gourmet: the story of her childhood and eccentric mother through the lens of food.

(Photo from forthesomedaybook.wordpress.com)

Or Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise, $10.88. Also by Ruth Reichl. How she managed to stay anonymous as a well-known New York Times food critic.

(Photo from gourmetfood.about.com)

52. Glass cannisters, $15.99. Various sizes. Use to store flours, sugars, oats, and grains.

(Photo from crateandbarrel.com)

53. Corn zipper, $10.77. I'm generally not a fan of one-use items, but I make an exception for this. Makes quick, safe work of getting your kernels off the cob.

(Photo from amazon.com)

54. Pineapple corer & slicer, $8.99. Another one-use item I am making an exception for. Used just like a corkscrew, it magically cores and slices your pineapple into rings, leaving a perfectly intact shell. This would be perfect for someone who likes to make fun, fancy cocktails. Preferably in, you know, pineapple shells. Maybe pair it with some rum and a Mai Tai recipe.

(Photo from amazon.com)

55. Artichoke print, $10.

(Photo from Etsy seller BelleBotanica etsy.com/shop/BelleBotanica)

56. Dancing dreidel platter, $19.95.

(Photo from crateandbarrel.com)

57. Cook's stir stick, $7. Don't be fooled! It's made of sturdy silicone for spreading, flipping, mixing, turning, frosting, reaching deep into jars, or swatting hands away from the cookie jar. Go check out the video in the link. Fun!

(Photos from fusionbrands.com and thekitchenoutlet.com)

58. Squiggly ikat napkins, $16. Set of four.

(Photo from westelm.com)

59. Wooden napkin rings, $2.36/each.

(Photo from pier1.com)

60. Zeroll ice cream scoop, $15.35. The best.

(Photo from amazon.com)

61. Popcorn gift set, $12.99. A twist on the classic holiday popcorn tin. Urban Accent brand kernels are some of the best I've had, and I'm intrigued by their dill pickle seasoning. It also comes with classic kettle corn and white cheddar.

(Photo from urbanaccents.com)

62. Citrus Pod, $10. A three-in-one citrus station: cut, squeeze, and store your citrus here.

(Photos from fusionbrands.com)

63. Expandable cooling rack, $19.95. Because there never seem to be enough racks, even on the rare occasion they're all in the same place when you need them.

(Photo from surlatable.com)

64. Tipsy Olives ($13.95) or Tipsy Onions ($13.95).

(Photos from normthompson.com)

65. Blender Bottle, $7.58. For your favorite smoothie/shake drinker.

(Photo from betterfitnessproducts.com)

66. See's Custom Chocolate Box. I still love their peppermint patties, as featured in last year's Gift Guide but I also love that you can go to their website and mix your own custom box of favorites. 65% caramels and 25% peanut butter patties and 10% chocolate creams? It's all up to you.

(Photo from sees.com)

67. Mugtopper marshmallows, $6.99. Rounded and sized to float atop your favorite hot chocolate, I bet they'd be great for s'mores too. Gluten free and no corn syrup!

In vanilla bean or peppermint or mochaccino.

(Photo from plushpuffs.com)

68. Caffeine molecule t-shirt, $17.99.

(Photo from thinkgeek.com)

69. Oven thermometer, $10. Because sometimes the knobs on your stove lie.

(Photo from amazon.com)

70. Hartley's Ma Made marmalade starter, $15.55. To make marmalade a little easier for your favorite DIYer. They'll just add sugar and water. (I've made this myself before, and it was a huge hit.)

(Photo from .english-shop.de)

71. Homemade vanilla extract. There's nothing like real, from-scratch vanilla, and it's the gift that keeps on giving. There are recipes all over the web, but you just need vodka, vanilla beans, and a bottle. Make some fun labels or tie a ribbon around the neck. Here's a starter guide, but do some googling, too. Your giftee can keep adding vodka to the bottle as they use it, and they'll have an almost-endless supply of delicious vanilla.

(Photo from beanilla.com)

72. Iced beverage to-go cup, $8.

(Photo from amazon.com)

73. Peppermint pig, $14.95. A peppermint candy pig, a velvet pouch, and a little hammer: A fun, Victorian, good luck tradition for any holiday gathering, and a perfect hostess gift. Everyone takes turns breaking the pig while sharing tales of good fortune from the past year, and hopes for the new. Read more here.

(Photo from domesticallyseasoned.com)

74. Dishtowels, $19.95. Absorbent, resilient, a favorite in my kitchen. Various colors, set of 4.

(Photo from williams-sonoma.com)

75. Soup and cracker mugs, $11.99. Set of two.

(Photo from vat19.com)

OVER $25

1. Glass Dharma Reusable Drinking Straws. Last year I left these off the Gift Guide by mistake. I think they really did deserve their own post, but I'd be remiss not to highlight them this year as they're a favorite in my kitchen and they'd make a beautiful, useful, fun gift. They come in a variety of sizes and options, and custom work is offered. My favorite is the set of four Decorative Dots Sippers for $33. These are shorter straws with a narrower hole, which are perfect for cocktails and coffee. As an added bonus, each straw has different colored dots which both helps keeps drinks straight and keeps them from rolling off the counter.

(Photo from designmilk.com)

2. Classic linen apron, $34.95.

(Photo from eatboutique.com)

3. Odd-size measuring cups and spoons set, $40. Odd-measure cups come in 2/3-, 3/4- and 1 1/2-cup sizes. Odd-measure spoons are 2-tsp., 1 1/2-Tbs. and 2-Tbs.

(Photo from williams-sonoma.com)

4. Dropp! bowl, $50. This is kind of ridiculously priced, but the image made me laugh out loud when I first saw it. Apparently you can't put a price on whimsy.

(Image from aplusrstore.com)

5. Support small business with a Yellow wavy mug, $28.

Or red swirly mug, $28.

Or patterned blue mug, $28.

(All photos from Etsy seller Mad Hatter Ceramics. etsy.com/shop/madhatterceramics)

6. Rosle cheese knives, set of 3, $49.95.

(Photo from cutleryandmore.com)

7. Emile Henry ramekins, $35.95. Set of four. A little pricey, but about as good as it gets. Pair with your favorite creme brulee recipe.

(Photo from surlatable.com)

8. Set of three cookie scoops, $49.95 (set of three). For the baker in your life, though they're for more than just cookies. Scoop dough, batter for cupcakes, or make melon balls. These are a must-have in any kitchen.

(Photo from chefscatalogue.com)

9. Yogurt maker, $49.99. Works overnight: Wake up to fresh yogurt with no weird ingredients. (You may want to include the yogurt starter.)

(Photo from chefscatalog.com)

10. Pint sized chef's set, $59.95 (+ free shipping of $25+ orders). All the tools and equipment your little helper needs, sized for small hands, with a chef's hat and apron to complete the look. 27 pieces, dishwasher safe. I would have loved this as a kid.

(Photo from chefscatalog.com)

11. Spongester, $28. Never confuse your counter sponge with your dish sponge again.

(Photo from uncommongoods.com)

12. Fleur de Sel kitchen hand lotion and soap, $29.95-39.95. Made with essential oils, comes with the caddy so it will stay together next to your sink.

(Photo from williams-sonoma.com)

13. Mason jar cocktail shaker, $29. In case you're not over the mason jar craze just yet.

(Photo from westelm.com)

14. Lighted rosemary tree. The gift that keeps on giving. Makes a fragrant decoration during the holiday season, and can easily be repotted for use the rest of the year. Rosemary is quite hardy and holds up well outdoors year-round, in many areas. I currently have a large rosemary shrub on my deck from a small plant purchased several years ago, and winters here are below freezing. You can also find them for very reasonable prices (think under $10, undecorated) at your grocery store.

(Photo from normthompson.com)

15. This pitcher, $48.

Or this pitcher, $29.95.

(Photos from anthropologie.com)

Or this pitcher. (A classic. I have one, it's my favorite, and $29.95 is a steal.)

(Photo from amazon.com)

16. The Bouchon Bakery Cookbook, $27.98. I was fortunate enough to sample several goodies from Bouchon earlier this year. This will be a must-have for the baker in your life.

(Photo from amazon.com)

17. Electric kettle, $49.99. So fast, so easy. Your giftee will wonder how they lived without it.

(Photo from target.com)

18. Coffee Joulies, $49.99. Keep your inner nerd caffeineted with these awesome "beans" that somehow capture the heat of your coffee and redistribute it evenly, keeping your coffee at the perfect drinking temperature. Magic!

(Photo from thinkgeek.com)

19. Chemex coffee maker ($38.85) & filters ($9.10). Another one for the coffee purist in your life. Clean, modern design, low-acid and slow drip, it makes the cleanest, most delicious coffee I've ever tasted. Can also be used with the cold brew method. You do need the filters for it to work properly.

(Photo from williams-sonoma.com)

20. Pizza stone, $54.95. Make homemade pizza taste professional, with perfect crust every time. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but I find I like the rectangle best as it's most versatile.

(Photo from kingarthurflour.com)

21. Make your own bathtub gin, $39.95. This is a last minute addition to the guide, and probably my favorite. All you need is a bottle of vodka: My favorite is Svedka, which is both delicious and cheap. A hat tip to my friend Lexa for the heads up on this. She's also the one that turned me onto the Chemex (above) last year. Good work, friend.

(Photo from homemadegin.com)

22. Baker's Edge brownie pan, $34.95.

(Photo from amazon.com)

23. Wine aerator, $26.

(Photo from matchmywine.com)

24. Rustic olive wood cutting board, $38.50.

Or olive wood wine bottle holder, $46.50.

(Photos from tienda.com)

25. Stainless steel stockpot, $49.95. Cuisinart, 10 Quart.

(Photo from amazon.com)

26. (Sure, we said 25 items over $25, but rules are for the birds.) A CSA share. Know someone who's always wanted to try a produce share? Check out Local Harvest to find one in your giftee's area. Prices and commitment vary.

(Photo from onestrawfarm.com)

And finally, please consider The Real Gift of Food: A different kind of food-related giving, in the spirit of the season. UNICEF makes it easy to give the gift of food to someone in need, and it starts at just $18. The Child Survival Gift Pack is $85.20 and provides water purification tablets plus nutrient dense food and milk to those who need it most. Check out the rest of UNICEF's offerings here. Heifer International also has wonderful programs.

Photo from unicef.org.

Thanks, friends. We hope you have a wonderful, healthy, safe, and delicious holiday season!

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So much awesome stuff, am I right? (Great, great job Caitlin!)

Be sure to check out the Style Lush Gift Guide for a few other kitchen- and food-related gift ideas (and a lot more awesome gift ideas, too).

We plan to host a similar giveaway as last year, a giveaway that gives one of you the chance to win your favorite item from this list, so check back on 12/3 for your chance to enter.

You can also share the Food Lush Gift Guide love with your very own sidebar badge. Pretty, right?

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Happy holidays and happy shopping!

Comments

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Thanks, this is great...you've made my shopping a little easier this year! And I can vouch for the Bakers Edge brownie pan; a friend gave it to me years ago - the brownies bake perfect and EVERY ONE has a 2 chewy edges. heaven.

Posted by: Anella | November 21, 2012 at 09:13 PM

Love the finger forks! Such a fun gift for a preschooler!

Posted by: Steph | November 22, 2012 at 12:05 AM

Oh, man. I love juice glasses, and the maple syrup/cream combo. And the salad server set. And the butter crock. And I may be getting everyone in my family a custom box of chocolates, because who doesn't need more chocolate?!?!

Posted by: Tara | November 26, 2012 at 03:12 PM