When it comes to gift giving, it can be hard to find something meaningful and impressive without spending a lot of money. If you’ve got someone on your list who spends entirely too much time dreaming about food, Santa and I have you covered! We’ve found some really unique items that we think will make anyone who loves food very happy…and, don’t tell Santa, but I’d love to give my favorite one away to you!
Let’s start with my favorite…
~Canal House Cooking Volume No. 8: Pronto Paperback by Hamilton & Hirsheimer
Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer, James Beard Award winning authors and contributors to Bon Appetit Magazine, are the ladies behind The Canal House. Both incredibly talented, they have a way of making you stop and really appreciate the taste, texture and essence of even the simplest seasonal ingredients. Their dishes are unique and inspired, yet homey and comforting. They bring their travels and experiences into the kitchen and create recipes that can take you along. Open just one of their books and you’ll understand. Every detail, from the covers that make you want to display the books as “kitchen art” to the sublime photography, the wonderful and personal stories, written so well and even illustrations hand drawn by Melissa. I’m lucky enough to own all of their books. Each one is unique and follows a theme, but they all come together as a wonderful set that I treasure.
This book, Canal House Cooking, Volume No. 8 Pronto, is the newest of The Canal House Cooking series. It’s a compilation of seventy-five Italian recipes like: Marinated Sliced Eggplant with Thyme, Pasta with Radicchio and Pancetta, Grilled Swordfish with Tarragon Sauce, Green Pea and Prosciutto Frittata, and Fig Gelato (which is amazing…I’ve had it!).
When I contacted Melissa and Christopher about this post, they graciously offered to provide a signed copy of the book to giveaway! To enter, just use the widget at the bottom of this post! Best of luck to you!
Now onto the remaining seven…
1~AdNArt Glass Water Bottle with Fruit Iceball Maker
We all know we should be drinking a lot more water, but sometimes water needs a little jazzing up. This water bottle not only looks super cool, but it comes with an ice ball infuser that allows you to freeze your favorite fruits, like lemons, limes, strawberries or even mint into a large ball of ice. Drop it into the glass bottle, twist on its snug silicone lined lid and you’ve got a leak-free awesome looking water bottle to carry around all day!
2~Michel Design Works Au Chocolat Kitchen Towel
I love unique kitchen towels like this one. They make wonderful hostess gifts. Give them in a set or pair them with a bottle of wine or maybe use one to wrap a gift. Michel Design Works has a variety of really beautiful designs. It was hard to choose one, but when you throw chocolate in the mix…the decision is already made!
3~bella j. SNOWBALL- A surprise jewel in every candle!
I love scented candles in the kitchen. I never burn them while cooking or eating so I can experience the flavors of the food, but after the kitchen is cleaned up, I love to light a candle with a nice scent. This is no ordinary scented candle! These candles from bella j.,come with a charm bracelet inside! The bracelets range from $10 to $10,000! OK, so I’m sure the odds of getting a $10,000 bracelet may be really slim, but what a fun gift! This Snowball scent is a great seasonal one, but there are others like: Sugar Rush, Main Squeeze, Surf Shack and more. Check them all out!
4~Tea Forte Ribbon Box Herbal Retreat
I tried this tea from Tea Forte for the first time just recently and really loved it! I’m a big tea (and coffee!) drinker. This tea was really special. Everything from the packaging to the exceptional tea makes making a simple cup of tea an experience. Tea Forte has many flavors, but I chose this one because I think it would be appealing to most. Take a peek and see for yourself. Any tea drinker would love this set!
5~Oster Electric Wine Bottle Opener
I’ve got a little secret when it comes to opening wine bottles. I have a really old bottle opener that belonged to my parents. It’s not fancy by any means and it looks more like a boy scout tool, but I insist on using it every time. It works wonderfully for me, but it takes a little extra time. So, if Santa would like to bring this one to me, I’d probably use it for those times when I have guests and they’d like their wine a little sooner than later. This affordable opener has a really nice, sleek design and is rated really highly on amazon.com.
6~Rae Dunn Salt and Pepper Cellars
Like many people who love to cook, I like to keep my salt and pepper close by so I can reach in and grab with my fingers. I actually have a salt cellar fetish…I have a lot of them! These, from artist Rae Dunn are perfect. I heard about Rae from a fellow student when I’d taken a pottery class years ago. I’ve fallen in love with her work since. I know these would look beautiful on any cook’s counter!
7~Calibody Handmade Round Soap
These soaps come from the producers of Calivirgin Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Their olive oil is truly the most fruity and flavorful olive oil I’ve ever tasted. I’m crazy about it! These soaps are handmade using their own extra virgin olive oil and scented with Cucumber Melon, Lavender Fields, Ginger Spice, Vanilla Sea Salt, Lemon Sugar, Fruit Slices, and Mango. Give a whole set or just a few. Maybe even pair them up with a bottle of Calivirgin Extra Virgin Olive Oil!
There’s more…
I’ve got many more gift ideas on my Pinterest board “Holiday Gifts for Foodies Under $25” Head over and take a peek!
*Disclosure: Some products link to the Taste Love & Nourish Marketplace. The Marketplace is part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. I only include products I believe in. Ordering them through this Marketplace doesn’t cost you anything extra. I will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items, which helps me to fund this site and continue sharing recipes with you.
MY best Christmas present ever is when my children and grandchildren are all gathered together for Christmas and we can all go and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Best gift was my Kitchen-Aid mixer!
My favorite gift ever?!?! That’s so hard to say! But the first thing that comes to mind is this: my mom and dad own a little second-hand bookstore, and every year, my dad presents us each with a giant bag of books that he has carefully selected over the months, just especially with each one of us in mind. I adore books (my house runneth over!), and especially books about cooking and foodie adventures, so my special bag is always full of those kind of great reads. It’s so special because they were chosen carefully and lovingly with me in mind – thanks, Dad! And thank you, Caroline, for this really fun post! :D
I love your story Shelley! I can’t think of more personal and meaningful gifts than books. Each of those books must be so special to you. Thanks so much for sharing your sweet and personal story. I love it!
the best holiday gift i’ve received are warmie clothes from my mom.
my best gift was a set of matching sweaters my younger sister (age 6) and i got when i was 10yo. It made us bond, a little, then we went back to raiding the Christmas tree for more stuff.
Anita, that is such a sweet story…I love it! Thank you so much for sharing!
We are on a SERIOUS budget this year. So these are perfect ideas. In every way.
Oh yeah, with a wedding coming up, you’ve got so much to save for! So glad you like these ideas Joanne!
Best gift ever? Hmmmm. Pandora bracelet. It’s the only piece of jewelry Chad has ever managed all by himself lol.
Nice! He did good! One year, when we were newly married, my husband bought me these HUGE gold hoop earrings that were engraved with leaves and flowers. As soon as I opened the box, I’m sure my face said it all. Needless to say, they were immediately returned! Poor guy…he tried.
The KitchenAid food processor my husband gave me.
You’ve got a sweet husband Christina!
my best gift is FABRIC – and cooking tools or cook books i love cookbooks
Me too Sandy…love cook books!
A sewing machine…I’ve put that thing to work for years!!!!
I’m jealous. Wish I knew how to use mine!
I love those gifts that you never thought of but absolutely love and use them all the time!
How true, Christy…sometimes the people who love us know us better than we do! ;)
Best gift, a set of Global knives
Yes! I love good knives!
The best Christmas gifts I have gotten for the last sixteen years are photographs of my grandchildren and often a wall calendar with photographs of them from the past year. Of course, getting to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren is the most special gift I could ever receive.
Thanks for a chance at the giveaway! Happy Holidays!
I agree Dani…time with family is the best…and I love photos too!
My first Wusthof knife was one of my favorite gifts.
I love mine too Nancy! Twenty-three years and still the best knives I own!
My favorite was a kitchenaid mixer a few years ago… let’s just say I’ve put it to VERY good use!
best gift? a digital camera!
Me too!
My best gift was a beagle I got for Christmas in high school.
How sweet! I love beagles!!
All my baking stuff
What unique gifts. . . thanks for sharing!!
Thank you so much Sheri!
a puppy
A puppy? Awwww! Congrats!
I love any gift especially something for my kitchen.
The best holiday gift I ever received was an espresso machine! it keeps me going whenever I have alot of baking to do
An espresso machine is a great gift! I run on caffeine too…especially this time of year!
My mother got me a Kitchen Aid mixer last year. I have never been so happy with a gift before. It was like I was 5 again!
Hmmm…I need to speak to my Mother. ;)
it’s super boring – but before smartphones were the norm, my gps! it was a lifesaver for me.
Not boring at all…I’d never find my way home without one!
one of my favorite gifts was from my husband our first Christmas being married, a Sears Kenmore Sewing machine-that was 1981 and I still sew w/it and he is still giving me awesome gifts – hope you and yours enjoy a wonderful holiday season
Sounds like you’ve got a really sweet and thoughtful hubby, Jennifer! Thanks so much…happy holidays to you too!
I would have to say my newborn baby boy.
Awww…that IS the best gift of all! Congratulations!
Pearl earrings and necklace from my momma. I’ve worn them every day since.
What a sweet momma!
I got a bike once. That was pretty awesome for little 7 year old me.
Me too! I think I was 9 and it was pretty awesome!
This recent cold snap has me thinking that my long down coat was the BEST Christmas gift ever (thanks Mom)!
Oooh…sounds cozy. I could use one of those today!
Best holiday gift is seeing all my family happy,healthy and safe
Barb…that’s the best one yet. <3
The best holiday gift was my computer.
Nice…I got mine on Christmas too and it made me a very happy girl!
One of the best gifts was a bike from my husband after I returned from a 2 week research cruise offshore. Best homecoming ever!
Alyssa, that is precious. Awww…you’ve got a sweet hubby!
My favorite Christmas gift ever was my Kitchen Aid mixer – use it all the time.
That KitchenAid mixer is a favorite! Have I mentioned it’s on my wish list? :)
My best gift was my ferret Ralphie from my boyfriend!
Awww…sweet!
My favorite gift was a camera my husband gave me many years ago. We couldn’t afford it and I was TOTALLY surprised.
Mary Beth, you’ve got a sweet husband! I love that!
My favorite gift ever is the afghan that my Grandma crocheted for me last year :) It is so soft and cozy!
What a great gift! My sister crochets too and she’s made blankets for my kids…we treasure them. So much work goes into those!
My Kitchen-Aid stand mixer revolutionized my life in the kitchen!
I need my life in the kitchen revolutionized too! It’s on my wish list!
The best holiday gift I’ve received is a Kitchen Mixer :)
Probably the SuperMan cape when I was 8. I wore that thing everywhere….to the store with my Mom, on vacation in Florida. My parents were so patient with me!
Hahaha…I LOVE it! You’ve got amazing parents, John. :)
My KitchenAid mixer.
Ahhhh…on MY wish list! I’m babysitting one for a friend who has temporarily moved. It’s pretty awesome!
a guitar
Both of my kids have gotten guitars for Christmas…it was the best gift for ME…I love hearing them play!
The look on my childrens faces when they walked into the room and seen their presents under the tree. Priceless
I have to tell you that I actually said, “Awwww” out loud when I read this! I have to agree with you wholeheartedly. There is nothing better!
My engagement ring hidden in the bow on an empty box,. In 1972. Have been married since 1973.
I love that Dee! How romantic!
The best gift I remember getting was some garfield pajamas. I loved them. :)
Oh, I can totally relate Kimarie! I love a nice pair of pajamas…and Garfield is kind of adorable!
The best Christmas gift I ever received was the news I was going to be a Grandmother for the first time, I couldn’t have asked for a better gift and this year I received another announcement that there’s a second and tthird on the way!
I can’t imagine how exciting that is Robin! Congratulations! You are going to be a busy Grandmother!
Oh and the best holiday gift I’ve ever received was probably a foot massager from Jeff. I love a good foot massage.
Oooh…I love them too. You’ll have to tell me which one you have! I had one too, but wasn’t thrilled with it.
I think it would be this year’s gift…..we adopted a rescue puppy from our local shelter a couple of weeks ago , as an early Christmas gift to each other. We are both retired now, living overseas in Beirut, Lebanon – in my husbands family home too!! My hubby was born and raised here as well, and we are having the perfect retirement life with our new furry baby….lol.
As a “dog” person, this really warms my heart Debbi! Congratualtions on your new baby! Thanks so much for sharing that sweet story!
no great holiday gifts – I always liked the tangelo that was at the bottom of the stocking and the candy cane hanging on the outside the best. other than that I guess it would of been a nancy drew book
I love Teavana teas! They have a Ginger Peach Apricot that is AMAZING!
I’ll have to try that one Lily! Youthberry is another nice one!
You, my dear, have excellent taste!
I do! I chose you as my bestie! :)
My best gift was a handmade ceramic Christmas tree made by my sister.
I got engaged on Christmas eve almost 10 years ago :)
Oh, that is a sweet gift Denise! :)
A Canal House Cookbook? How did I not know? I need this!
I’m glad you found this Melanie! Best of luck!
Love all these great ideas! The cookbook looks yummy!
Thanks Heide! Yes…all of The Canal House cookbooks are really wonderful!
My kitchen-aid mixer.
The best holiday gift I ever received was a visit from my sister! She was away at school out-of-state and wasn’t supposed to be coming home, but on Christmas Eve the doorbell rang and there she stood! Surprise! It was so nice to have ALL my family home together for the holidays. :)
I love this story Pam! That is such a sweet surprise!
My best gift was a purple bike when I was ten!