Gift Guide for Foodies

The Christmas season is my favorite time of year because I'm a Christian and love celebrating my Savior. It also doesn't hurt that I get to wear my hostess hat almost 24/7 during the holiday season. Between gift wrapping, gift giving, cooking, decorating, getting dressed up, and throwing parties, what's not to love? As a foodie and cook, I can attest that these are dream gifts to get and the prices range from stocking stuffer to show stopper so that there's something for everyone! I love to shop but am also a bargain hunter and trying to ball on a budget. I reconcile these things by shopping sales often and buying out of season. I sometimes store gifts away for months! This isn't the way for everyone, though, and, try as I might, I can never avoid shopping before a holiday. I do my best to avoid the crowds and order online when possible. With that in mind, I've made sure that many of these items can be found online and I've linked them in this gift guide for foodies so all you really have to do is scroll and shop!

1. KitchenAid Stand Mixer: This is the big-ticket item that every cook wants. It's both functional and a statement piece for your counter top and comes with attachments for everything from pasta to bread. I recommend this one for mom or someone else near that level of specialness to you.

2. Cookbooks and eBooks: Cookbooks for foodies are the equivalent of couture coffee table books for fashionistas. I have them on my bookshelves, my desk, and they are just as much reference material as they are décor pieces. You can go the classic route with something like The Southern Living Cookbook or gift something more cheeky like Chrissy Teigen's Cravings. There are also vintage cookbooks available on sites like eBay that might hold sentimental value to the recipient. One such book for me is the Betty Crocker Cooky Book. I have adapted different recipes from this book since high school and have an edition that belonged to my great grandmother and was printed in the year my Mommy was born! I recommend this kind of gift for anybody. Check out my everyday cookbook gift guide for more inspo. My favorite celebrity cookbooks are linked below.

Patti LaBelle | Chrissy Teigen | QuestLove

3. Monogrammed Items: Monogramming adds a personal touch and endears the item to the recipient. You can monogram just about anything from kitchen towels to aprons to cutting boards. This gift shows a level of planning and thoughtfulness so I recommend these for your close friend who wouldn't necessarily invest in these items on their own.

4. Food-Related Experiences: Millennials are the generation that appreciates experiences over material things, so this gift would be great for someone in that age range or just the person that seems to have everything. A wine tasting adventure, a cooking class at Sur la Table, or a cuisine crawl are just a few examples of great food-related experiences you can gift to a person. If you're budget conscious, check Groupon on Living Social for deals on these.

5. Luxe Tools: This is for your gadget-freak friend who is (like me) more on the frugal side. Items in this category include fancy wine openers, Le Creuset cookware, or even the KitchenAid stand mixer above. Depending on your budget, these might not seem expensive but since there are several lower-priced tools that can get the job done, I've deemed them luxury items for the purpose of this post.

6. Cast Iron: Every cook needs cast iron whether they know it or not. I love it for everything from pancakes to roasting chicken. And the possibilities are endless. It's widely available from different makers but Lodge is the American standard brand and what I use. If you don't have time for shipping via the ones I've linked, you can also find cast iron products for a steal at places like Marshalls and HomeGoods!

7. Food Subscription Boxes: A subscription box is great to give to just about anybody and, if you sign up for more than one month, is truly the gift that keeps on giving. There are so many out there but I've written about different subscription boxes here, here, and here, if you need help deciding. If you decide to gift any of these, use the links below for discounts and freebies!

Blue Apron | Degustabox | Graze (use code dashofjazz for a free box!)

8. Food Blogger Pro: This is for your foodie friend or family member that blogs about food--whether it be their own kitchen exploits or dining adventures. I am a Food Blogger Pro member and it has seriously helped me step my game up and improve the content y'all see on Dash of Jazz! There are monthly and annual subscription options available so you don't have to spend a lot to be helpful to your food blogger friend (or maybe even yourself).

9. Anti-Fatigue Mat: Standing up in the kitchen all day is no joke, y'all. Your back aches. Your feet beg to be propped up. These massage mats are so helpful in preventing that and a nice little gift to someone you may not be super close to but want to show appreciation for. Massage mats are excellent choices for white elephant parties or secret Santa exchanges with friends or coworkers. You can also bundle one with another item from this guide or a gift card.

10. A Massage: It's so easy to gift a massage certificate these days and nobody would appreciate it more than a cook or hostess who's been on their feet all day or night--especially during the holiday season! I recommend this for the aunt or friend that hosts and cooks for everyone over the holidays. Thank her for always setting you a plate to the side. 🙂

What do you think of this list and are you shopping for a foodie in your life this season? Thanks for reading!

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