34 Holiday Gifts the Epi Team Is Giving This Year

Baking tools, funky mugs, and the best crunchy nut butter.
A selection of items chosen by Epicurious editors as holiday gift ideas.
Photo and Styling by Joseph De Leo

All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

Not to brag, but we at Epicurious are very good at giving holiday gifts. This is because we spend way more time than is normal or advised thinking about the best cooking tools, pretty tabletop items, and craveable snacks and condiments. We use this knowledge to stock our own kitchens, certainly, but when the holiday season rolls around, we pull from that same roster of products we know and love to shop for everyone on our lists.

Below are a few of the holiday gifts we’re planning to give to our friends and families this year and a few more that we're hoping to get (nudge, wink, etc.). 


Baking gifts
Coffee gifts
Cookware
Tools & accessories
Ingredients & food 
Decor gifts
Fun extra stuff


Baking tools 

Ever since David Liebovitz told me about this gadget in an interview for TASTE, I've been using one to dust powdered sugar over Dutch babies, evenly distribute cinnamon across the tops of banana bread loaves, and more. It's not a tool that most people have in their kitchens, which is why it's a perfect gift. Anna Hezel, senior editor

Oxo Baker's Dusting Wand

A couple of years ago, my colleague Kendra wrote about how using a taller pan adds visual intrigue to your cakes—and I've wanted to buy one ever since. Standard eight and nine-inch cake pans generally offer about two inches of height in your cake, but calling for a 3-inch high pan has become trendy for baking recipe developers like Odette Williams. It makes your cake look grand—more professional and bakery-worthy—without any extra effort on your part. That's perfect for me, a pretty novice baker who's looking to up the drama and improve her decorating ability in 2023. Emily Johnson, associate director of commerce

Wilton Round Cake Pan, 6 x 3-Inch

The only canelé molds worth using should be made of copper. The metal is better at conducting heat, and results in caneles with satisfyingly crisp edges that you just won’t get from silicone or non-stick molds. They’re not exactly budget-friendly, but having a set will mean being able to make canelés whenever you want. Plus, they’re beautiful to look at! Genevieve Yam, contributor

De Buyer Copper Cannele Mold

I'll be straight with you: functionally this serves the exact same purpose as baking bread in the Dutch oven you may already own—it traps steam inside an oven to ensure a great rise and a crisp crust. But there are a couple of reasons this bread oven is on my holiday list this year. The first, and most trivial, is that I find it adorable. Something about the domed top and glossy finish is just so homey and sweet—imagining lifting the cloche-shaped lid off to present a beautifully baked loaf of bread to my friends and family is incredibly appealing. The more functional reason is that, actually, getting bread loaves in and out of Dutch ovens can be a bit tricky. Since this oven offers a flat, skillet-like bottom, it's much easier to unmold the dough, without having the maneuver it into the deep sides of your Dutch oven and risk losing its shape. —EJ


Coffee gifts

I’m into Wacaco’s little coffee brewing gadgets generally—their espresso makers perform better than anything else that’s even remotely in their price range—but the Pipamoka, which operates in the same world as an Aeropress, is one of the best designed coffee brewers for commuters I’ve ever used. The brewer is contained inside an insulated travel mug. You can just toss some coffee grounds in it on the way out the door and add hot water at the office or fill the whole thing up and actually brew it on the train. Noah Kaufman, reviews editor

Wacaco Pipamoka Portable Coffee Maker

It’s true, I have a glassware problem. I have eight different sets for drinking cocktails, seltzer, and various other beverages; and yet, I’ve been sipping from the same TJ Maxx coffee mugs since college. A bigger problem is that they don’t even really keep my coffee warm. I’d love to upgrade to these glass mugs in retro shades of amber and teal. The kitschy handle design turns them into statement serveware without making them any less useable. —Joe Sevier, cooking & SEO editor

Retro Ribbed Borosilicate Glass Mug

If you’re shopping for someone who is pour-over curious, the new gooseneck kettle from Fellow might be the best gift you can give them. And if you think you've seen this on many a gift guide before, know that this is the souped up, brand new version. It’s beautiful (as everything from Fellow is) but it’s also smart. It’s got presets for pour-over, Aeropress, and teas; it can pre-boil water for sanitary purposes; and, my absolute favorite feature, it has a schedule feature so it can have water ready for brewing as soon as you come downstairs in the morning. —NK

I'm already a fan of Café's whole aesthetic—the matte black with copper details and finish just sends me to a great place. Their drip coffee maker is superb; it's a winning machine that I reviewed for our drip coffee maker review. When I saw that they have a fully automatic espresso machine, I knew I had to try it. It's as beautiful as the rest of their appliances and works like a dream. We're in the honeymoon stage right now, so I admit to fully neglecting my pour-over rigs (I promise I'll come back to you, baby), opting for espresso drinks every morning. It brews a beautiful cup of espresso—I buy my beans almost exclusively from a local roaster, Broadsheet Roasters, because every variety of bean they offer has a unique set of tasting notes. I currently have a bag of Buku Sayisa beans from Ethiopia that has notes of black raspberry, strawberry, and hibiscus. I love espresso already, but espresso with those notes has me absolutely obsessed. I've already gifted one of these to a special guy, but I can think of a couple other espresso-lovers in my life that probably need one of these, too. —Jarrett Melendez, associate editor

Café Affetto Automatic Espresso Machine + Milk Frother

As a rule, I do not like pod coffee makers. I think the coffee is meh and the waste is significant. But some new tech is melting my icy outlook on pods a little bit. The Bruvi, which just hit shelves this November, makes better coffee and does it with less waste. The standard mug of coffee from the Bruvi has more flavor than every K-cup machine I’ve tried, but it also does espresso shots, Americanos, and in a way I found surprisingly effective, coffee brewed over ice. The pods themselves are treated in a way that lets them mostly break down in landfills (here’s a nice explainer and interview from Tech Crunch). In the pod world that’s big, because the only other reasonable disposal solutions to this point have been laborious recycling ones. Bruvi pods are, in the words of the company, “made to be tossed in the trash.” It might not be the way I drink my coffee in the morning, but for the pod people in my life, this is the only coffee gift I’ll ever give them. —NK

The Bruvi Bundle


Cookware

This skillet changed my relationship with cast iron forever. It's made in the style of vintage cast-iron pans, meaning it's thinner than modern models, and has a polished and smooth surface rather than a rough one. Since it's so thin, it heats up in the fraction of the time of a standard skillet, is nonstick even with a nascent layer of seasoning, and is lighter weight and easy to maneuver with one hand. It keeps getting better with each use, and feels like something I’ll have for the rest of my life. Wilder Davies, staff writer

No. 8 Lancaster Cast Iron Skillet, 10.5 Inches

Carbon-steel pans have all the versatility (and, admittedly, the slightly fussy care) of cast-iron pans, but they're lighter weight. When cared for properly, they take on a slick nonstick surface and they work in the oven and on the stovetop—and on induction cooktops. They're beloved by chefs, but haven't really caught on in home kitchens in the United States. And despite testing cookware for a living, I'm one of those home cooks who doesn't have one. I'd love to receive this sleek test winner as a gift, and use it to cook everything. —EJ

Merten & Storck Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Pro Induction 10", Stainless Steel Handle, Black

I first encountered Visions cookware on thrift store shelves, and didn’t think much of it until it started appearing in cooking videos all around the internet. Visions suffered a bad reputation after it’s initial debut in America in the '70s—there were actually false rumors that it was prone to exploding, but the material is actually exceptionally shock-resistant. I really enjoy cooking with it, not only because I came of age during the Clear Craze and have been trained to love all things see-through, but also because the glass-ceramic hybrid material lends itself well to low-and-slow cooking. —WD

Visions 5 Liter Round Dutch Oven With Glass Lid


Tools & accessories

I would be so pleased if someone got me these fun glass straws. They remind me of theme parks and pool parties and all kinds of fun. —GY

Misha Kahn Suck It Up Glass Straws

Earlier this year, we got an insider tip from Portland mixologist Jeffrey Morgenthaler for perfect citrus garnishes: Use a Boska cheese slicer instead of a Y-peeler. He explained that the top of the slicer—the part that serves as a spatula for serving cheese—acts as a guard, protecting your hand while you grip your citrus. Plus, this tool just looks sleeker than your standard Y-peeler. I want one for better garnishes, but also for serving cheese. —EJ

Boska Cheese Slicer

From the moment I laid eyes on this simple, but radically important device I knew it would revolutionize my kitchen and would make the holiday gift. All my other fruits look like schlubs resting in a simple basket. —Travis Rainey, associate photo editor

Banana Hanger

I am famously (some might say annoyingly) opposed to box graters. Give me a hand-held paddle grater any day. Better still, give me this grater that looks like an heirloom, comes attached to its own reservoir, and folds away easily for neat and tidy storage.—JS

Italian Cheese Grater

I don't own a pair of oven mitts and any time I have to take something hot out of my oven, I just use a ratty old towel. And, before you ask, yes, I have burnt myself on more than one occasion without the warm protection of a mitt. So personally, this quirky pair is something I would love to receive this holiday season. Because everyone needs oven mitts, whether it's their first pair (guilty) or a new set to freshen up the kitchen. —Megan Wahn, associate commerce editor

The Oven Mitts


Ingredients & food 

To me there’s no food more luxurious than a slice of Russ & Daughters Gaspé Nova. It’s velvety. Luscious. Meltingly rich. You can drape it on a bagel, of course, but it’s also wildly good on blini or savory waffles—try smushing some tater tots in your waffle iron and topping with this salmon for New Year’s Eve. Living close enough to have regular access to this stuff is a privilege. Shipping it to a loved one is an act of devotion. It’ll make a series of festive holiday meals and keep in the fridge for a week, so a pound isn’t overkill. Maggie Hoffman, digital director

Gaspe Nova Smoked Salmon, 1 pound

One pantry staple really wowed me this year, and it’s this exceptional cold-pressed white sesame oil that the Yun Hai shop brings in from Dong He Oil in Taiwan. The low-heat process means the flavor is fresh and clear. This bottling is amazing on noodles and salads and as a finishing oil wherever you need subtle nutty richness. Honestly, I’d drink it by the glass. Pair with a bottle of the black sesame version for a really cute gift. —MH

White Sesame Oil, Cold Pressed

This black sesame butter is so, so good—on toast, on slices of apples, on ice cream. It has all the deep, complexity of black sesame, and a subtle sweetness. But the best part is that it's crunchy thanks to added peanuts and breadcrumbs. You're not just getting a flavorful spread, you're getting delightful texture. It's the perfect stocking stuffer for the nut butter enthusiast in your life. —EJ

Black Sesame Crunchy Butter


Decor 

do in fact have plates in my home, so don't be too worried about me. I just don’t have super large plates, which come in handy for holiday meals when I'm really trying to load my plate—and these are rimless, so you get even more real estate. I've had these stylish plates on my wishlist since they won our product test as the best oven-safe option. —MW

Year & Day Big Plates, Set of 4

For me, there’s nothing classier than offering guests a variety of beverages. The greater the selection, the better. Coffee, tea, amaro, juice; simply listing an abundance of options feels impressive. And then there's the serving vessel. Even water feels exciting when it arrives on the table in a lovely vase. I already have this beautiful jug for my own kitchen, but I love it so much that I'd like to give it as a gift this holiday. Maybe to a New York Mets fan… —TR

Hay Jug

My dining area is either go-spelunking-dark or sexy-restaurant-dark, and I want it to be more of the latter and less of the former. I believe the answer is a tablescape and mantel twinkling with candles, and I love how many cool tapers there are these days. These twists feel fun and gifty and would look excellent at a winter dinner party. —MH

Hay Candles

Soft Pastel Beeswax & Soy Blend Spiral Twist Candles

Of course, those candles need to go somewhere, and the gleaming family-heirloom silver candlesticks we used for this ‘70s-themed photoshoot don’t quite fit the vibe I’m going for. I like the curves in this gold-hued version from Anthropologie. —MH

Cursive Candlestick

I live in an old house with my burly husband, two young sons, and a bear-like rescue mutt, so I'm super self-conscious about the way my home smells. In addition to keeping the place clean (enough, anyway), I’ve recently gotten into incense, but it took me a while to find some that I actually liked. I had just as much trouble finding something to hold it, but this understated brass beauty is the only one I want. It has an interesting shape but because it's practically flush with whatever surface it's on, it's almost invisible when not in use. Plus, the spun brass is timeless and will only look better as it ages and develops a nice patina. Emily Farris, senior staff writer

Dasar Brass Incense Holder

I've been really into browsing vintage Vera Neumann linens lately, for very 1970s cloth napkin sets (like these and these) and wildly kitschy tea towels, with prints of, like, fondue ingredients and assorted pantry items. All of the prints are so '70s and the color still pops so much, even after 50 years. - AH

Vintage Vera Neumann Tea Towel

Note: since this item is vintage, it might sell out. We recommend searching: “Vera Neumann napkins” in Etsy to find similar.

I’ve always been more of a plant person than a flower person, but after spending so much time at home over the last few years, I’ve really come around on bouquets. The arrival of fresh flowers feels like an occasion—it gives me the same dopamine rush as buying something new, but it won’t contribute to the clutter in my space. Beautiful blooms can brighten any room, especially in the dreary winter months. Perhaps this is just me entering my Nora Ephron/Nancy Meyers season of life, but I truly believe flowers are a fabulous gift for anyone who appreciates pretty things but already has enough stuff. I finally broke down and got myself a subscription a few months ago, but only because nobody I know took the hint after I wrote an article about it. —EF

Monthly Flower Subscription


Appliances

Until you use one I don’t think you can appreciate just how nice a steam oven is. That was the conclusion I reached when I made my first round of dumplings in one. It’s such a fast and easy way to prepare vegetables or fish (and that bao project you’ve been meaning to try). Getting a wall steam oven costs thousands of dollars, but this Fotile combi oven that has taken up permanent residence at Epi testing central (in my basement) costs a fraction of that and can replace a toaster and an air fryer at the same time. It also makes a fantastic proofing drawer for bread. —NK  

Fotile Chefcubii 4-in-1 Countertop Convection

I’m giving this Vitamix blender and showing a loved one how powerful rotational force can elevate their smoothie game, turn them on to making their own nut milk, and help them produce absurd quantities of pesto. —TR

DEAL: Vitamix 5200 Blender

Listen, I love a practical gift, especially if it's something I might not think to buy for myself. We've talked a bit about air purifiers on the site, great for helping eliminate or neutralize kitchen odors, but also great for helping keep the air in your apartment clean. Now that we've got the windows all closed up for the season, it's easy for air to get stale, and having this air purifier has already helped so much. The heater is shockingly powerful, and heats our living room quickly—my roommate, who's always cold, is obsessed. I can already tell that this will definitely be getting a lot of use this winter. —JM

Shark 3-in-1 Air Purifier, Heater & Fan


Fun extra stuff

Fly by Jing longsleeve

You may have heard us sing the praises of Fly By Jing’s Sichuan chili crisp, but did you know that the brand makes merch that’s just as hot as their sauces? I’m just a little bit obsessed with this long sleeve inspired by the neon signage in Chengdu. Made of 100% natural cotton with an oversized fit, it’s the perfect shirt for cozying up by the fire or tucking into a bowl of noodles (as the website cheekily notes, the shirt’s black fabric will disguise any stains). I’m planning on giving this to some of the chili crisp lovers in my life, but I’m this close to adding an extra to cart for myself. —Alaina Chou, producer

Not Traditional Long Sleeve

Kintsugi is one of the coolest forms of practical art I can think of, and the POJ studio kit has everything you need to learn how to do it at home. What is kintsugi? It's the Japanese art of repairing items, typically ceramics and porcelain, with gold. Their basic kit allows you to fix chips and fully broken items, and comes with a leaflet that has step by step instructions—their website also has video tutorials that are super helpful. I love love love gifting experiences and activities over just "stuff," so this is definitely going to a couple people on my list this year. —JM

Kintsugi Kit

As soon as I tasted this fragrant, citrusy, refreshingly bitter aperitivo at a restaurant in my neighborhood, I knew I’d have to hunt down a bottle to drink with tonic at home. I like Campari and Aperol just fine, but this is in another category altogether. A bottle has never been drained as quickly in my house before. If anyone you know likes negronis or spritzes or the sbagliato, they absolutely should taste this stuff. —MH

Silvio Carta Bitter Roma Rosso

We already have a fire pit outside my house. In fact, we have two. But I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been lusting over this one for a few years. I love its clean lines, warm tones, and shallow, domed bowl. It’s a gorgeous, modern departure from the fire pits that more closely resemble witches cauldrons and I’m pretty sure owning one would inspire me to host more cold-weather cocktail hours. —EF

Parnidis Modern Outdoor Rust & Stainless Steel Fire Pit