Buying for someone who loves to cook is harder than it looks. Serious home cooks usually already own the basics, and the novelty gadgets end up in a drawer by February. The best gifts solve a small daily annoyance, look good on the counter or the table, or make hosting a little easier.
We've grouped these ideas by the kind of cook you're shopping for. Some are from the Livzy Home shop and some you can find anywhere. All of them are things a cook would reach for regularly.
For the cook who loves to host
1. A serving board that doubles as decor
A good wooden board does two jobs: it's a cutting surface on a weeknight and a centerpiece at a party. Our handmade mango wood cheese board with loop handle measures about 18 × 9.25 inches. Because it's handmade from natural wood, the grain varies from board to board, so each one is a little different. The loop handle makes it easy to carry to the table and to hang on the wall between parties.
Gift tip: Tuck a card inside with a few favorite pairings or a recipe, or add a wedge of their favorite cheese. Remind them to wash it by hand and oil it now and then with food-safe mineral oil.
2. A seasoning set that's easy to use
Anyone who seasons food all evening will appreciate a grinder they can work with one hand. The rechargeable electric salt and pepper grinder set is available in USB-rechargeable and battery-powered versions. It also has adjustable coarseness, a ceramic grinding mechanism and a small LED that lights up the pan. The one-handed operation also helps people who find twist grinders hard to grip.
3. Something for the table
Cloth napkins, a table runner in their favorite color or a set of nice serving spoons all count as "useful" because they come out at every gathering. These are easy to personalize and ship flat.
For the organized (or aspiring-to-be) cook
4. A matching spice jar set
Mismatched spice bottles are one of the most common kitchen frustrations. A set of matching jars makes a satisfying gift, especially for someone who has just moved or redone their kitchen. Our 12-piece glass spice jar set with bamboo lids and labels includes twelve round borosilicate jars (about 8.5 oz each) plus label stickers.
Gift tip: Fill a few of the jars with a homemade spice blend or good-quality peppercorns before you wrap them. (Note for the recipient: the jars are not microwave safe, and the bamboo lids should be wiped clean, not soaked.)
5. A measuring tool for small amounts
Bakers and coffee lovers swear by weighing ingredients. The precision mini kitchen scale is a compact spoon-style scale. It switches between grams, milliliters, cups and ounces, and the spoon detaches for cleaning. It's for small portions like spices, coffee beans and leavening, not for weighing large items.
6. A good set of storage containers
Nobody turns down containers with lids that actually match, especially after a holiday meal. Glass is a nice upgrade if they're still using takeout tubs.
For the cook who loves fresh herbs and from-scratch food
7. Herb scissors
Chopping a bunch of chives or green onions with a knife takes a while. Multi-layer herb scissors have several stainless steel blades side by side, so each snip makes several cuts at once. They're great for garnishes, salads and finishing soups.
8. A pizza and pastry wheel
For the family that does homemade pizza night, or the baker who rolls out pie crust, a double-headed stainless steel pizza wheel has a straight blade for clean slices and a fluted blade for decorative edges on ravioli, crackers or lattice tops.
9. A potted herb or a windowsill garden kit
A living basil or rosemary plant is cheap, thoughtful and useful. Pair it with the herb scissors above for a themed gift.
For any cook
10. The gift of time
This is the one nobody can return: offer to do the dishes after the next big dinner, or give them a "night off" coupon for a meal you cook. Plenty of experienced cooks would pick that over any gadget.
How to put together a themed gift basket
A basket of three or four smaller items often feels more personal than one big present. A few combinations that work well:
- The Host Kit: cheese board, a nice jam, a small cheese knife and cloth napkins
- The Spice Lover: spice jar set filled with two or three homemade blends, plus a handwritten recipe card
- The Baker: mini kitchen scale, pastry wheel and a favorite cookie recipe
- The Fresh-Herb Fan: herb scissors, a potted herb and a bottle of good olive oil
Ordering for the holidays
If you're ordering gifts from Livzy Home, check the shipping line on each product page before you check out. Items from our US warehouse typically arrive within 3–7 business days after they ship, and items from overseas warehouses take about 7–15 business days. Orders are processed within 1–3 business days. All of these times are estimates, and carriers slow down in December. Standard shipping within the US is free. You can find the full details in our Shipping Policy.
Our advice: order early, especially if the gift has to arrive by a specific date.
Happy gifting, and happy cooking, from Livzy Home.
