Writer-Loved Holiday Gifts, From $11

I love shopping for holiday gifts so much that I approach the task as if it were a sport. Like a coach watching tapes of another team, I parse my memories until I have a full picture of what my opponent, aka a friend or family member, cherishes most. With their habits tracked and their weaknesses exploited, I design a game plan to remedy both. In this way, I home in on the perfect gift — whether that be a sharp chef’s knife, an upgraded French press, or a beautiful rolling pin — so I can, once again, win the holidays. 

If you would also like to claim the title of best gift-giver this year, I rounded up 12 holiday presents that avid cooks and gourmets alike are guaranteed to love. As someone who falls into both categories, I know I would.  

Writer-Loved Holiday Gifts

• Naomi After-Cooking Hand Scrub, $29 at amazon.com
• Material Kitchen The Salt Sphere, $52, originally $65 at materialkitchen.com
• Anthropologie Catania Glass Honey Pot, $15, originally $22 at anthropologie.com
• Misen Measuring Chef Spoon, $11, originally $14 at misen.com
• Hedley & Bennett Smock, $106 at hedleyandbennett.com
• John Boos R-Board Series Wooden Maple Cutting Board, $125 at amazon.com
• Fellow Clara French Press, $80, originally $100 at fellowproducts.com
• Shun Premier Nakiri Knife, $205 at williams-sonoma.com
• Muraglia Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, $59 at williams-sonoma.com
• East Fork Pottery Rolling Pin, $78, originally $98 at eastfork.com
• De’Longhi Lattemix Cold and Hot Milk Frother, $180 at delonghi.com

Naomi After-Cooking Hand Scrub 

Garlic and onions are the building blocks of most culinary traditions. Without them, ours would be a much less delicious and interesting world. But with great flavor comes a powerful scent that can taint your hands for days. Enter: the Naomi After-Cooking Hand Scrub. Designed to counteract the more pungent ingredients in a kitchen with notes of cardamom, iris, or bergamot, this clever scrub has earned itself legions of fans. One Amazon shopper wrote that “it’s worth every penny,” adding that all of their “foodie friends are going to get bottles of this for Christmas.”       

Material Kitchen The Salt Sphere 

My Material Kitchen Salt Sphere is the envy of all my friends. With its swiveling magnetic lid and stackable fluted base for finishing salts or pepper, I can see why it inspires so many comments when guests come over. Practical and striking, this should be at the top of your holiday lists this year.     

Anthropologie Catania Glass Honey Pot 

For tea drinkers who like to add a dash of honey to their brews, I would grab this Anthropologie glass jar. It’s the ideal combination of cute and functional, but what makes it such a great gift is that it’s something someone probably wouldn’t buy for themselves.   

Misen Measuring Chef Spoon 

When I saw that Misen dropped this spoon, I immediately wanted it. The idea is so simple that I’m shocked I didn’t think of it myself. With its concave head and lines for tablespoons, teaspoons, and milliliters, I would be able to measure and mix ingredients without dirtying another spoon. Oh, and did I mention that it’s dishwasher-safe? 

Hedley & Bennett Smock 

A serious cook deserves a serious kitchen apron, and there’s no better brand for the task than Hedley & Bennett. After wearing my H&B smock for more than a year, I can confidently report that it’s comfortable, durable, and easy to clean. While I prefer the smock’s loose fit to an apron with a neck strap or tie, the brand has multiple styles and colors to choose from.   

John Boos R-Board Series Wooden Maple Cutting Board 

Wooden cutting boards are popular among my friends and family now that I’ve lectured them on the dangers of microplastics. In addition to their non-toxic construction, these boards are prized for being sturdy, tough, and gorgeous enough to use as serving platters when guests come over. Any culinary aficionado would be thrilled to receive a John Boos board, which is a favorite among Food & Wine editors and celebrity chefs for its quality.   

Fellow Clara French Press 

The Clara French Press is a staple in my kitchen. My husband pulls it out often in the summer when he’s craving cold brew, while I use it frequently in the fall and winter to make large batches of hot tea. Also dubbed the French press with the best design at Food & Wine, testers were wowed by its innovative filter, impressed by its heat retention, and enchanted by its sleek exterior.    

Shun Premier Nakiri Knife 

A sharp knife can make a big difference in a kitchen. If your loved one has already amassed a large collection of Western chef’s knives, this Shun nakiri knife would make for a thoughtful and useful gift. Crafted for cutting vegetables, its rectangular blade can slice, dice, and chop with the best of them.      

Muraglia Extra-Virgin Olive Oil 

While all of the gifts on this list are great, the most useful might be this bottle of fancy olive oil. It’s a luxury I would never buy for myself, which makes the present that much more special. I also love that I could reuse the bottle for years after finishing the oil inside. 

East Fork Pottery Rolling Pin 

Does anyone really need this beautiful rolling pin? No. Would an avid baker swoon over it anyway? Absolutely. I stumbled upon it when I was scrolling through East Fork’s website. I hadn’t known that the brand behind some of our favorite pasta bowls also sold baking gear, so I was doubly excited when I found this cherry, black walnut, and maple pin. I would say that it’s almost too beautiful to use but plenty of East Fork shoppers write otherwise. One even commented that it has the “perfect length and weight when working with pie and cookie doughs.” 

De’Longhi Lattemix Cold and Hot Milk Frother 

This milk frother is extraordinarily powerful. I’ve been using it for months, and I am constantly surprised by how much foam it produces. While I prefer whipping hot milk for my drinks, my husband often uses the cold setting when drinking iced coffee. This milk frother, as it turns out, can do both. It also whips plant-based milks with ease.