| THE HOMEBODY'S GUIDE TO:|
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR: THE HOME CHEF
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Our family is full of chefs. From my abuela's special croqueta recipe, to David's abuela's cakes, I've certainly learned a lot when it comes to the kitchen. Since I got married, cooking for me became less of a chore and more of an opportunity to make something special for my someone special. I found a lot of purpose in cooking. It's not just food on a table, but its putting time into something, being present in the moment and making memories with loved ones. There is so much to learn in the kitchen, which makes gifting for those home chef family members so fun! I've compiled a holiday gift guide of my top picks for the home chef in your life. Everything is linked to make it easy for you.
Christmas can be a difficult month for those trying to save for bills and goals, and there is a lot of added stress that comes with gifting. The meaning behind a gift is always more valuable than the dollar amount spent on the gift. Because of this, this gift guide is filled with gifts under $30, so that you can not only give a meaningful and thoughtful gift, but also stick to your personal financial goals. Quick shopping tip- make sure you install honey in your browser to get coupon codes automatically added to your cart. I've used honey for years, and it has saved me a ton on online purchases. The best part? It's free! Another one of my favorite couponing sites: MyPoints. Sign up for free and gain points for online purchases you already make on a typical basis. I use this for Amazon, Walmart groceries, and anytime I spend online. I've been able to redeem gift cards to major retailers and even fund some date nights to our favorite restaurants. Try starting an account this holiday season and watch your points rack up.
And now, without further ado, here are my top 15 picks for the Home Chef's holiday gift guide.
So here's the thing. A nice fancy espresso maker with a built-in frother is so nice. But, they are really expensive and might not fit your Christmas budget. I personally purchased this frother a few months ago, trying to make some quick lattes in the meantime until my current machine is ready to be replaced with a fancy new latte maker. This frother exceeded my expectations. The foam it makes is so fluffy and amazing, and its so easy to clean. And for the price, you really can't beat it.
Another powerful tool in any chef's kitchen. The great thing about cast iron skillets is that they retain heat extremely well, which makes for an even cooking surface. There are so many things you can do with a cast iron, from stovetop to oven to barbecue. The 8" skillet is under $15 and even includes the silicone handle (the whole pan gets hot, so this will come in handy). If you'd like to up your budget, they offer additional sizes as well, some with lids.
This is a very specific but very fun gift idea. For those friends and family members who love Boba tea, this is your own starter set to make it at home! Three different colored tapioca pearls, and even those famous thick straws. This is such a fun way to get crafty in the kitchen and make your own recipes. Mocha peppermint with boba, anyone?
This vintage popcorn maker is great for home chefs. Why? Because unlike popping microwaveable popcorn with preservatives and chemicals, you can create all natural popped popcorn, with no oil, and add your own homemade seasonings! We have this popcorn maker in our theater room and it is so fun to have out during parties and movie nights.
This is sure to be a hit. Give the gift of sushi - made at home! I love the idea of making your own sushi recipes at home - chicken and avocado, teriyaki chicken and ginger...(can you tell I'm a picky eater?). Think of all the amazing possibilities you can create...
There is nothing more annoying than having a dull knife. If you've ever tried chopping an onion with an unsharpened knife, you know the feeling. A lot of people are under the impression that you have to buy expensive knives to be able to cook well in the kitchen. But actually, you can get decently priced knives and just sharpen them every now and then. This knife sharpener is a great gift, and if you pair it with the block below, it completes the whole set.
Crème brulée, anyone? This is for that one person you know who has already surpassed Cooking 101 and is a bit more adventurous in the kitchen. This is guaranteed to excite them.
Because stand mixers take up so much room, and also because KitchenAid products are some of the absolute best. Plus, they come in all sorts of colors too! A perfect addition to any home chef's arsenal for just under $30. That price is pretty uncommon for this brand, so don't miss out.
How many times have you tried wrapping something in plastic wrap only for it to cling onto itself and make you frustrated? I think I might also buy myself one of these, because it is a lifesaver! And, its so cute!
This is one of my favorite items to gift, because it makes such a big impact in someone's life. Slow cookers are great for busy lives, and this one is extra-large, so it's great for a family.
Calling all bakers with not-so-large kitchens. This cooling rack lifts and folds, making it perfect for apartment living or tight spaces.
I personally love these cake pans. They are perfect for making cheesecake or flan, as they unattach from the sides. They are also nonstick and make sliding out so easy. The fact that this set comes with three different sizes is perfect.
Any home chef is most likely a fan of Food Network. Walmart carries Ree Drummond's line of kitchen gadgets, pots and pans, and these sweet ceramic bakeware sets. Theres something so exciting about having a food network star's line added to your collection, especially because she tends to cook with them on her show!
The Weber iGrill is such a convenience. It is compatible with your phone through their app, and will let you know when your meal is close to temperature so you can get ready to remove it from the heat. Ever since we got our iGrill, we've never overcooked (or undercooked) our chicken. I love that this takes the guess work out of grilling, and you can fully enjoy the company around you instead of being glued to the grill.
I bought these on valentine's day so that David and I could make some salmon on the grill. You guys. It. Was. Incredible. Like, we ate ALL of the salmon. And it was like 2 pounds of salmon. It was very unacceptable of us... but so worth it! I highly recommend these for the dad, husband, uncle, brother, whoever. This is such a simple step to add to your routine and it is such a game changer.
I can think of about 5 people who would really love to wake up to mickey mouse pancakes and waffles...
You may be able to find these cheaper elsewhere, but this one is stainless steel, which means it will last you a lot longer than the other ones I've seen on sale this season. If you haven't had cuban coffee before, this is honestly magic. I look forward to waking up every Saturday morning, since that is usually when I have the time to make it.
Have you ever had rolled ice cream? Our first time having it was on vacation in clearwater and it was so fun to eat. What I really like about this is that it's a great gift for those that have dietary restrictions, but yet love ice cream, like my family. You can make your own ice cream flavor with your own ingredients (dairy free, health-conscious, or just mix it up with some syrups and fruit). This is such a fun thing to do with little ones, too. This one is right at the top of the $30 budget, but the shape of it is a lot easier to use compared to some of the other circular trays I've seen.
This is a mega deal at only $15 for Black Friday at Macy's! I don't have this exact one, but I do have an air fryer and it is life-changing.
And there you have it! Happy shopping!