2025 Foodie gift guide
Each year, I curate a gift guide for the food lovers and home cooks in your life — filled with pieces I either own or would be thrilled to receive. I hope this serves as a little inspiration as you start thinking about your holiday gifting.
Fishwife makes the most fun and beautifully packaged tinned fish sets for the holidays — and of course, their fish is as delicious as it is pretty. If you’re shopping for someone who loves to host, build a great charcuterie board, or is already a tinned fish enthusiast, this is such a thoughtful (and tasty) gift.
Black Friday Offer Details:
20% OFF almost everything (Caviar Excluded)
Promo Dates: 11/26/25 – 12/2/25
No promo code needed
This is one of Fishwife’s best offers of the year — perfect for audiences looking for premium foodie gifts, stocking stuffers, pantry upgrades, and holiday hosting essentials.
I was so intrigued by the new OXO carbon steel pans that I ordered one to test myself. They’re lighter than traditional carbon steel and come pre-seasoned, so they’re ready to use right out of the box. Reviewers love how evenly they heat and how effortlessly foods like eggs release — all without the weight of cast iron. For the home cook who loves trying innovative cookware, this is a practical yet thoughtful gift they’ll actually use.
I think a salt crock or pepper grinder — really, any salt-and-pepper vessel — makes such a timeless and universally appreciated gift. Pair it with some nice salt (Maldon is my favorite), and you’ve got a winner. I’d be thrilled to receive something like this myself — a small but beautiful upgrade for something I use multiple times a day and would never think to buy on my own. This year, I’m especially loving this salt mill from Le Creuset.
Cookbooks make such thoughtful gifts — not just for avid home cooks, but also as a host gift for holiday parties or even a white-elephant exchange. They’re personal, inspiring, and always appreciated. Here are a few of my favorite picks for 2025: By Heart by Hailee Catalano, Tahini Baby by Eden Grinshpan, Sweet Tooth by Sarah Fennel, Tucking In by Sophie Wyburd, and The Woks of Life by the Leung Family.
Seed + Mill makes the most beautiful gift bundles, perfect for anyone who loves Middle Eastern flavors. Pair one with the Tahini Baby cookbook for a thoughtful, on-theme present that feels both unique and indulgent. These sets also make great host gifts or white-elephant picks that stand out from the crowd.
Fred’s is one of my favorite high-end kitchen stores in Boston, and on my last visit, I picked up this “spoon” — which has quickly become my favorite kitchen tool. It’s the perfect blend of a wooden spoon and a spatula, sturdy enough to scrape up every last bit from the pan while still feeling refined and versatile.
If you’re looking for a bigger gift for the foodie or home cook in your life, these two pieces are both unique and versatile — the kind of items they likely don’t already have in their collection.
The first is the Le Creuset Signature Oval Casserole. I love its shape — it’s just a bit different from the classic Dutch oven, but equally useful for everything from roasts to soups.
The second is the Staub Braise and Grill, which is technically a two-in-one gift. You get a full Dutch oven setup, plus two separate pieces: a braiser and a skillet. It’s beautiful, practical, and endlessly functional — a real showstopper for anyone who loves to cook.
I’ve used these meal planners for years—they’re so easy to use and super cute! They have a permanent spot on my fridge. I love the products from this Etsy shop, but any meal planner would make a lovely gift.
Another lovely gift idea is Café Maddy’s Korean cooking calendar. It’s beautifully designed, and each month includes a QR code you can scan to access a linked recipe. What makes it especially meaningful is the option to choose your birthday month, so the traditional Korean birthday meal is featured right on that month’s page.