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Finding unique gifts for friends and relatives is tricky enough on its own, but picking out gifts for couples is a true challenge. Because even if you’re positively certain that a hand-painted portrait of Ina Garten in a coastal-chic picture frame made from upcycled wooden spoons is the perfect gift for your BFF, who’s to say her boo would like it, too?
Unless you’re working with the benefit of a registry (AKA, a cheat sheet) when buying an engagement gift or wedding gift, the best way to guarantee you don’t miss the mark with a couples gift is to shop with eating, drinking, and experiencing the world in mind. And this approach works whether you want to spend $20 on some scratch-off date night cards or splurge to overnight some caviar to the lucky couple.
So no matter your budget, here are 19 gift ideas for couples who love to cook (and eat…and drink).
A fresh supply of spices
Help them keep things spicy (in the kitchen, of course) with a gift set of warming spices. Spices-as-an-aphrodisiac subtext aside, it’s always a good idea to replace your ground spices at least annually, and any couple who loves to cook will appreciate this fresh collection of chili powders.
Conversation starters
This compact box of conversation prompts can live on the dinner table and spark a conversation that will lead to better connection between any couple, whether they just started dating or they’ve been married for years.
A break from meal planning
Home Chef is one of Epi’s favorite options for customizable mail order meal kits because it allows for a real cooking experience—minus all the planning and shopping that can turn into a real drag for couples (whether or not they have kids).
Or a reason to cook more at home
If the couple in question is committed to cooking more of their meals at home, this collection of four flavored finishing oils will elevate soups, salads, chicken, fish, and more. And because it’s not season-specific, it makes a great holiday gift, housewarming gift, anniversary gift, and host gift any time of the year.
An actual fireplace to cozy up by
Cozying up by the fire on a cold night sure sounds romantic, but if the couple in question doesn’t have a fireplace, that’s kind of impossible. Unless you want to give the best gift ever and splurge on this super-cool mid-century inspired freestanding fireplace from the maker of the Solo Stove that they can use indoors or outside.
A coffee table-worthy cookbook
If your food-loving friends are the type who read cookbooks for fun, make sure they have one of this season’s trending titles on their bookshelf or coffee table. Sohla El-Waylly’s “Start Here” is chock full of techniques to help anyone become a better cook and features more than 200 recipes—like a crispy-skinned salmon with radishes and nuoc cham and a charred lemon risotto—they can turn into a date night recipe.
A portable projector
This portable mini projector with built-in speakers and bluetooth connectivity will make movie night possible wherever they go—even if it’s just to the back yard.
A DIY activity that doubles as home decor
Sure board games are fun and all, but so is a cooperative craft project that the couple can put on display. This DIY succulent kit includes everything they need to make their own living wall art—as long as the plants shall live, that is.
A picnic basket for two
For two people who enjoy the great outdoors as much as they appreciate a good pairing, consider a high-quality picnic basket made for savoring their favorite wine and cheese in the park or on the beach.
A new set of steak knives
Steak knives are good for cutting so much more than just red meat (think: pork chops, chicken, and even cauliflower steak) and busting out this wood-handled set will make any dinner feel like a special occasion.
A culinary challenge
For the gastronomically adventurous couple—or a couple who could stand to be a little more daring in that department—this scratch-off poster features a culinary bucket list with 100 must-try foods.
Some new ideas for date night
New couples and newlyweds rarely have trouble planning a fun night out. But after a few years (and especially after the last few years we’ve all had) everyone could use a little inspiration. If this sounds like any lovebirds you know, this deck of scratch-off cards will give them 35 new date ideas that include staying in and going out.
A fancy night in
If you’re ready to splurge on something truly impressive for a couple that already has everything, the answer is caviar. This gift box from the Caviar Co. will make even a random Tuesday night feel like a special occasion. (If they’re a long-distance couple and you’re feeling really spendy, you could send them each a set to enjoy “together” over Facetime or Zoom).
A keepsake cutting board
Newlyweds filling their home with monogrammed everything had its moment, and for the most part, that moment has passed. But for a couple who loves to cook—or put together cheese boards, charcuterie boards, and other fun snack spreads—a personalized gift they can actually use in the kitchen is a great option. This board from Etsy is especially clever because the monogram is outside of the juice groove so the name of your favorite couple won’t catch crumbs or jus.
Something to sip on
Picking out a bottle of wine or liqueur for someone can be intimidating if you’re not intimately familiar with the spirits world—and their tastes. This task is even trickier when you’re trying to find something you hope two people will love. Make it easy on yourself and ensure the couple gets exactly what they want with a gift card to Reserve Bar.
And something to sip from
For couples who love wine, consider this set of versatile hand-blown wine glasses with a sultry, smoky amber glass tint.
A machine that makes coffee and espresso
If one half of the happy couple prefers coffee and the other is the espresso-loving type, a Nespresso Vertuo machine can give them the best of both worlds from one no-maintenance machine.
Kissing coffee mugs
Cutesy couple gifts are usually, well, too cutesy to make good gifts, but these kissing ceramic coffee mugs strike the perfect balance of cool, cute, and useful.
An actually-nice set of kitchen towels
Sure, towels may seem like a boring present, but if you're looking for a practical-but-still-a-little-luxurious holiday gift, this is the way to go. Because you can never have too many kitchen towels—and anyone who disagrees with that statement probably has some that are ready to be retired. Either way, believe us when we say that a new set of super-absorbent Turkish cotton kitchen towels will be appreciated by any couple who likes to cook.
Looking for more ideas for holiday, anniversary, or birthday gifts? Head this way for more gift guides from the editors of Epicurious.
