Season’s Eatings: A Gift Guide for the Food-Lover
Small brand shopping, gift wrap ideas, and more
If you’re reading this, you probably love food. Maybe your friends and family do as well? This gift guide is for the food lover in your life, specifically that person who loves everything about food, but doesn’t need anything for the kitchen (If you are looking for cooking equipment to gift, check out last year’s gift guide here). Nearly everything in this list is under $100, with the exception of two items priced slightly above, and every brand listed is a small/independent business. Enjoy and happy holiday shopping!
Donate
A donation to a food-access nonprofit helps keep food pantries open and community fridges stocked. It funds groceries, meal programs, and advocacy that make it easier for families to get the food they need. Donating in a loved one’s name is a very special way to honor their generosity. Click here to find some food organizations.
Tablewear
The Glacé Apron + A fun oven mitt
The Glacé Apron (£119)
I am biased in suggesting this, but I think the Glacé Apron I designed in collaboration with Semaine last year is a pretty great gift (if you’ve stuck with me for a while, you know that before doing food stuff, I used to make clothes). The apron is vinyl, meaning you can easily spritz it with your cleaner of choice to remove any food – no need to wash, hang dry, and iron like the rest of the aprons in my closet. All the aprons are manufactured in NYC, the vinyl is made of deadstock fabric, and–of course–the best part for any fashionable foodie in your life, the outfit underneath is still visible.
One other thing I have been wanting to make for the kitchen is an oven mitt and potholder. Until that time comes, I’ve purchased an incredible vintage lobster oven mitt. It’s so great, I’m scared to use it too much and ruin it, so I’ve also just purchased these colorful, fun, and flexible potholders ($28) and oven mitts ($32) for more daily use.
Baked
Black & White Cookie Pipe + Soft Serve Lighter Holder
Black & White Cookie Pipe (sold out, but they still have in peppermint $35), Soft Serve Lighter Holder ($15 $18), Cosmopolitan Neopolitan Gift Kit ($60.50)
This one needs little selling. It’s super cute, well-priced, and will most certainly spark joy. P.S. You can buy them together in a gift kit (which comes with free gift wrapping!).
Pastiche Provisions
Jumbo Egg Pillows ($69), Pampshade bread lamps (prices range, mine was $60)
The furniture in my home is quite minimalist, but I enjoy adding a touch of fun to the small details. Enter this egg throw pillow for my bed and the Pampshade in my entryway. The egg throw is also great for a little lumbar support (huge plus if it goes with your couch), and my Pampshade lived up to my expectations after wanting one for ages.
Inedible Illuminations
Cereria Introna Candles (prices range), John Derian Candles (prices range), Gohar World Candles (prices range)
Of all the food candles out there, these are my favorite. I just purchased a handful from Italy, but it took a while for them to arrive. Skip the wait and get them at John Derian or Gohar World.
Artful Appetites
Food puzzles + Piping gift wrap
Everything Nice Puzzle ($36), Red Frosting and Pink Rose Gift Wrap ($24), Dinner Party and Frosting Bow Tissue Paper ($14-$24), Bow Print Ribbon ($16), 20mm and 40mm Washi Tape ($7.50-$10)
Over the holidays, my family always knocks out a few puzzles. This year, I’m contributing this one, which is a collaboration between Le Puzz (we’ve done a number of Le Puzz puzzles in the past, and they’re always so fun) and ceramicist and painter, Laura Chautin. This puzzle depicts some delicious bites rendered with the most delicate brushstrokes, and will be an absolute treat to put together.
My friend Sam (aka @thegeminibake) makes gorgeous cakes, and she has turned her perfect piping skills into adorable gift wrap (and prints!). So, if you’re looking to deck out your food-themed gift in some vintage-cake trappings, she’s got wrapping paper, tissue paper, ribbon, and tape. P.S. If you’re looking to up your piping skills, Sam has just launched a Substack, Decorated Living!
(Actual) Food
Giant panettone, popcorn sampler, + a box of holiday homemade cookies
Panettone Tradizionale Maximus – 3kg ($118 - if I remember correctly), Amish Country Popcorn Variety Kernel Gift Set ($17.99)
A treat to have for the inevitable post-Edie-Parker-gifts-munchies…panettone and popcorn. Théo and I have a number of terms of endearment for one another, but the most frequently used is “[insert food we have been snacking on a lot] monster.” This time of year, he is the panettone monster, and I am the popcorn monster. Take it from us, these items make great holiday gifts (and take a while to expire).
This year, I purchased Théo a 3kg panettone for Christmas, for no other reason than 1. it is fun, 2. he will eat that much panettone, 3. it comes from a great bakery in Italy, and despite being 3x the size, it costs nearly the same as the famous ones. After taste testing can assure you the crumb is light and moist and full of raisins (exactly what he looks for). Do note that the ordering process is not as simple as one click; you have to phone it into a market in Pennsylvania, but they are very quick to ship (under 24 hours for me). A longer order adds a special holiday charm to the whole process, right?
Now, for myself, the popcorn monster. This would be the best food gift you could get me. I’ve purchased it for myself twice. I know popcorn during the holiday times usually comes as a sampler tub of pre-popped and dressed popcorn, but for me, the joy of popcorn is it being fresh, hot, coated in good butter, and sprinkled with both Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt (for distribution) and Maldon (for salty/crunchy bites). The flavor of the kernel itself, and the texture of the popcorn (varietal and amount of hull can really change the texture), is what is most important. For so long, I was dissatisfied with what I was finding in stores, which is why I ordered this Amish Country Popcorn Sampler. You get to try different varieties of corn (each imparting a new flavor) with different amounts of hulls (for varied textures). The problem now is that I had so many favorites from the first purchase that I’ve ordered it again to try and narrow it down.
Lastly, if you want to bake your own holiday cookie boxes, check out this year’s recipe for Piped Butter Cookies, last year’s Meringue Sablé Cookies, and my chocolate chip and hazelnut chocolate cookie recipes if you want to go classic.
thank you so much Paris!!!!