A few tested and approved suggestions!
Testing items for possible inclusion in this annual list is a very fun job, whereas making the final selections is a really challenging one as there are so many great possibilities. The products referenced below all hit the mark for key criteria such as value, practicality and quality. Whether you need an extra stocking stuffer or a gift for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list, one or more of these suggestions might be the perfect fit. For additional ideas, you can also check out previous gift guides on this site, including this year’s cookbook gift guide and past editions of holiday gift guide, available under the ‘product reviews’ heading. Happy holidays!
A box full of pasta-bilities
Gift a flavorful taste of Italy with nuts.com’s new Pasta Night Gift Box, perfect for every occasion from cozy date nights to Sunday dinners. The kit includes all the essentials including dried pasta, premium olive oil, pasta sauce, artisanal salt, a handmade candle (for that romantic touch) and more. The items come packaged in a ready-for-gifting box – all you need to add is a bow and your best wishes for a delicious holiday season! Additional tasty sweet and savoury treats perfect for food lovers of all ages are available on their website.
For the budding barista
Experience the comfort of a café at home with the multifunctional Cuisinart Coffee Centre Barista Bar. This compact unit offers various brewing options: up to 12 cups of customizable drip coffee; individual cups of varying sizes (compatible with most single-serve pods); or single or double espresso shots (using Nespresso capsules). This versatile machine also features a wand that can froth and steam milk for specialty drinks; the wand can also dispense hot water for tea, matcha, hot cereals, or soups. With its sleek, modern design and space-saving all-in-one functionality, this handle machine is sure to be an instant favourite in any kitchen.
Simple and effective nutrition booster
There is a simple new way to add more iron – an essential nutrient – to the food and drinks you prepare at home, thanks to Lucky Iron Life. Their compact Lucky Iron Fish and Leaf are designed to help you fortify your daily meals and drinks with extra iron. It is an effective, more sustainable and a gentle source of iron suitable for the whole family. The fish and leaf, which you simmer in food, are FDA certified and approved for food fortification worldwide plus have been clinically studied and proven to improve iron levels. They’re reusable for 5 years (or 1800 uses, to be exact).
Next-gen air fryer
We’ve been big fans of air fryers for years and one model has just hopped to the top of our preferred list – the new T-fal Infrared Air Fryer. It’s a 7-in-1 6 litre/6.3 quart premium model featuring Infra-heat technology and superb airflow. It delivers crispier, juicier results faster, with no pre-heating required. The transparent LED illuminated front window makes it easy to monitor cooking progress while using any of the 7 programs including the SuperCrisp function, used near the end of the cooking cycle to give food an impressive, perfectly crisp finish.
Sharp suggestion
If you’re looking for well-made kitchen knives at a modest price, you’ll like Lee Valley Tool’s set of three peeling and paring knives. High-quality stainless-steel blades are paired with comfortable handles cushioned with a coating of tough, flexible synthetic rubber with a grippy textured surface. The set includes a serrated paring knife is ideal for cutting soft fruit, while the straight paring knife is well suited for slicing, dicing or trimming fat from meat. Each has a 3 1/4″ long blade. The peeling knife has a 2 1/4″ long curved blade that provides excellent control and precision – useful for coring and peeling round fruits and vegetables and creating garnishes.
Better bread storage
Keep your bread fresh for longer with the Keeki bag, made of beeswax-lined 100% linen. Far more breathable than a plastic bag, and easier to use than a standard beeswax wrap. Beloved by professional bakers, and hobbyists around the globe, it’s available in several different sizes. The bags are easy to use thanks to a wide opening and drawstring closure (much more effective than trying to wrap a loaf in a sheet of beeswax wrap. Unlike plastic bags, Keekis are breathable and won’t hold in a lot of moisture which encourages mold. A portion of all sales will be donated to Ontario Nature Protect Pollinators charity.
Constantly Cooking with Paula Roy 