Holiday Gift Guide 2024
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I’ve curated a collection of gift ideas to make finding the perfect present for your loved ones—or even for yourself—a breeze! I pride myself on finding perfect gifts for each person on my list, starting earlier in the season. Each pick has been carefully chosen to spark joy and bring a little extra magic to your gift-giving. Whether you’re shopping for the foodie, the homebody, or the adventurer, these recommendations are sure to inspire and make the process easier and more enjoyable.
Perfect Gifts for the Home Cook

No Kid Hungry Silicone Spatula
These silicone spatulas with wooden handles have the added bonus of raising money to feed kids across the country in partnership with No Kids Hungry.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven in Brioche
A great group gift for holidays (also one of my favorite group gifts for weddings), this is one of my most used kitchen items for braises and soups. It’s also a beautiful piece to display on the counter. I recommend the 7-quart.


Penzy’s Spice Mix Box
This 8-spice gift box showcases a vibrant mix of seasonings that highlight the rich, diverse flavors woven into our nation’s story. From adobo seasoning to curry powder and a savory chicken rub, each blend celebrates the unique influence of global spices that continue to shape the American palate.
Recipe Book
I compiled all my family recipes into a book for my family one Christmas and it was a huge hit! (I made mine on blurb.com because my handwriting is horrible.) This is an easy way to preserve family recipes with space for photos.


Boo’s Board Cutting Board
I’m trying to get better about using only wood cutting boards rather than plastic boards (I know, microplastics). Wood boards take a bit of care but are a great gift for home cooks.
Mila Soup Dumplings
I recently tried these and love to keep them stocked in my freezer. They’re great to break out for nights I don’t feel like cooking a whole meal!

Perfect Gifts for the Hostess

European Scallop-Edge Napkins
Not only are cloth napkins more eco-friendly, they also immediately add a touch of elegance to any table.
Roe Caviar Set
Caviar is one of those things I love but typically resist splurging on. Bonus is if your host is making roasted potatoes or latkes – it’s the perfect luxe pairing.


Pattern Candles
Up your tablescape game with these colorful candles by placing them into simple candle holders, or check out these fun ones for a gift pairing.
Share + Savor
My cookbook is filled with recipes for dips and spreads that can be made in a big batch, and divided out over multiple platters.


McConnell’s Pint of The Month Club
Perfect for ice cream lovers (who isn’t an ice cream lover??)! McConnell’s is one of my favorite ice cream brands – my husband and I had their food truck serving it, rather than cake, at our wedding.
No Chewing Allowed Truffles
I’ve been ordering these melt-in-your-mouth truffles for years. They make the perfect little sweet treat.

Perfect Gifts for the Homebody

Negative Underwear Henley
The fitted and buttery soft henley is the perfect luxe loungewear to wear all winter long.
Harney & Sons Tea Sampler
Works for a stocking stuffer on its own, or pair it with a beautiful teacup.


Jolie Showerhead
I received this as a gift from my mom, and I highly recommend it! It removes chlorine, heavy metals & other contaminants from shower water for softer, smoother hair.
Silk Pillowcase
This 100% silk pillowcase helps to prevent frizz and preserve hairstyles with this luxurious bedding.


Custom Book Embosser
Perfect for bookworms to add their name to their books in an elegant way.
East Fork Mug
This North Carolina-based company has long been a favorite of mine but has also been impacted by hurricane Helene. I have this mug and love the thickness of it and the plethora of colors for my morning cappuccino.

Perfect Gifts for the Traveler

Fill Your Tank Road Trip Questions
Do your passenger duties by keeping the driver awake and everyone from asking “are we there yet?” with these conversation starters.
Mark and Graham Travel Jewelry Case
I have been using this as my travel case for a few years. I like that it can be personalized in a variety of color combinations!


Travel Cup Holder
Perfect for when you need an extra set of hands while wheeling your suitcase through the airport.
Compression Socks
They may not be the chicest travel accessory but they are practical! My friend Brian, a former flight attendant and editor of Bake from Scratch magazine, got me on the compression sock train for travel to help with swelling.


TwelveSouth AirFly Pro
No need to carry around wire headphones just to be able to watch the airplane entertainment. This device allows you to connect your headphones via bluetooth.
Travel Converter
A great gift for anyone who frequently travels internationally, as this converts voltage for charging devices.

Perfect Gifts for Pet Parents

Awoo Fetch Dog Collar Holder
This air tag holder easily attaches to your dogs collar so you can track them in case of emergencies.
Jingle Latte
Not only is Barkbox’s marketing incredible, I recommend getting your pup, or someone else’s, this seasonal toy as a treat.


The Dogist
A lovely tribute to dogs and a great coffee table book for dog lovers.
Cactus Scratching Post
Keep cats from scratching on furniture with this fun scratching post with a flower on top for lounging.


Slow Cooked Beef Squares
Premium dog treats to spoil the dog in your life with real beef as the top ingredient.
Perfect Gifts For Kids
Plush Food Playset
This set from Target has plush foods with velcro to practice cutting with a plastic knife and even comes with its own mesh bag to keep things contained.


Kids Straw Cup
Serve your kids smoothies and juices in this cup from Klean Kanteen! It’s made with a steel cup and silicone lid and comes with a straw that is half metal in the bottom then silicone on top for safety! It’s easy to clean and teaches good drinking habits early.
TinyLand Play Kitchen
While it does take a bit of time to put together, it is a great play kitchen for kids with nice, aesthetically-pleasing touches. My grandmother made custom curtains to match my sons room, and I added some peel-and-stick subway tile to the backsplash to give it a little upgrade.


Warming Goose
This toy from Senger is both a cuddly toy and a warming pillow all in one, made in Germany.
Pop-up Tunnel
We got this as a gift, and I love it because it’s easy to store and great to break out for easy entertainment.


LL Bean Kids Backpack
I had this backpack as a kid, and it’s stood the test of time. I’ve gotten a customized one for my son so he can carry his own toys on the airplane.
Perfect Inexpensive Stocking Stuffers Under $30
Banana Hats
While I do love letting my bananas brown to make the best banana bread, these little knit hats hide a silicone cap that helps to keep bananas fresh for longer.


Vanilla Extract
I love having high quality vanilla extract, but hate spending money on it, so it’s a welcome stocking stuffer.
Neutrogena Hydrating Sheet Mask
I love keeping this $3 sheet mask in my bag for flights. It contains hyaluronic acid making it extra-hydrating, and while I may look strange, I put up my hood and land with a fresh face.


Tinned Fish Print
Art makes a great gift. Jump on the tinned fish trend with this sardine print. Put it in a frame (I like buying one’s from Michael’s because they often have sales) or gift on its own.
Martini Picks
Perfect for the martini lover, these pewter skewers can even be paired with some Filthy blue cheese stuffed olives.

Donate to a Good Cause

Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood provides reproductive healthcare to women around the country including mammograms and birth control. I have a recurring monthly donation scheduled as women’s reproductive health and rights are a cause close to my heart.
Read718
I come from a family filled with educators who have long emphasized the need to focus on early intervention when it comes to children’s literacy. READ 718 is a Brooklyn, NY-based organization providing individualized, evidence-based, one-to-one literacy instruction to students in grades 3-8 from low-income families who have fallen behind in reading.


City Harvest
City Harvest works to rescue perfectly good food that may otherwise go to waste and bring it to New Yorkers in need for free.
Fair Fight
Stacey Abrams has worked tirelessly to advocate for free and fair elections, fighting against voter suppression.


American Library Association
The ALA vows to defend intellectual freedoms and fight against book bans. In 2024 alone there are 1,128 book titles that are targeted for censorship including Ernest Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms”, and the “Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison.
GrowNYC
GrowNYC operates over 45 greenmarkets across New York City, including the flagship at Union Square and my local market at Grand Army Plaza. Their mission extends beyond fresh produce; they’re committed to climate education and building an equitable food system that supports small farms while promoting the health of both people and the planet.







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