2016 Holiday Gift Guide For Domestic Gods and Goddesses
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It’s finally Gift Guide Day, friends! I look forward to this post all year because it gives me an excuse to talk about one of my favorite topics…
PRESENTSSSSSS!!!!!
Obviously, the holiday season isn’t about the presents. It’s about booze and sequins family and friends. But exchanging presents is still part of most people’s Chrismukkah traditions (thank God), and I want you and yours to be prepared. After all, there’s nothing quite like receiving giving a great gift. Unfortunately, finding that awesome item for your friend/family member/significant other/roommate can sometimes be stressful. I’m hoping I can help.
Today I’m sharing my top gift ideas for the domestic gods and goddesses in your life. From cake and pajamas to the perfect skillet and the world’s most badass coffee mug/camping cocktail glass, there’s a little something for everyone on this list. As always, feel free to use this guide as inspiration for your own Christmas wishlist. I find that forwarding it to your loved ones with a subtle “Please gimme #4, #7, and #10” in the subject line is quite effective.
Happy shopping…
13 Epic Holiday Gifts for Domestic Gods and Goddesses:
1. AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker. Not only does this handy little gadget brew a single excellent cup of coffee (or three shots of espresso), it also fits in a kitchen drawer. Game changer.
2. Caroline’s 7-Layer Caramel Cake. I don’t typically recommend food presents, but trust this crazy cake lady when she says this is the BEST caramel cake in all the land. My mom sends me one of these beauties every year for my birthday, and I legitimately shed a tear when the last slice is gone. (Which is usually in August because I put the uneaten half in the freezer after birthday princess week, and then cut tiny slivers of it every Sunday to make it last as long as humanly possible. Don’t you dare judge.)
3. Vietri Incanto White Baroque Small Oval Platter. I’m a fan of all things Vietri, but I’m very partial to this pretty platter, which is perfect for casual entertaining. (Picture it as the base for smaller cheese plates and creative crudité arrangements.) I highly recommend it for the edgier Martha Stewart types.
4. Small Victories. I can’t remember if I’ve gushed about Julia Turshen around here before, but she is one of the most badass, inspiring women in the food space today. Julia has co-written several fabulous cookbooks over the past decade, but this is her first solo endeavor, and it is truly a masterpiece. Brimming with joy, humor, and insanely delicious, doable recipes, this is a cookbook that both culinary whizzes and neophytes alike will appreciate. It may just replace Foolproof as my go-to kitchen bible…
5. Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skillet. One of the most common emails I receive is “Do you have a skillet recommendation?” YES! Yes I do! And it is this Le Creuset cast iron in the 11¾” size. It’s a little pricy, sure, but it’s incredibly versatile (I use it for everything from frittatas to quinoa bakes and roast chicken), and it will last its user a lifetime. Consider it an investment.
6. Nostalgia Retro Series Family Size Breakfast Station. I know this is an absolutely ridiculous item, but it’s also awesome. So if someone you love has counter space and an affinity for nostalgia and/or breakfast food, gift away!!
7. CakeBox/PieBox. These handmade wooden boxes are the easiest and chicest way to transport your goods without smushing them. The company also makes a CheeseBox and a CookieBox. If I were you, I would gift someone one of these boxes with their favorite treat inside. (Dear future Logan reading this on the subway: There is still time to order a Caroline’s Cake and put it in this CakeBox!!!! And you say I’m hard to shop for…)
8. Reidel Veritas Coupe. I’m really into the vintage charm of coupe glasses right now. They’re just festive.
9. Maison Etoile Pajamas. If you think pajamas are out of place on this gift guide, I get it, but hear me out. So much cooking, and eating, and drinking happens in pjs, and I firmly believe really good pajamas enhance the experience. Maison Etoile makes incredibly soft sets and nightgowns that are as pretty as they are comfortable. I like to make pancakes in the housecoat. Just saying.
10. KitchenAid Artisan Mini Stand Mixer. The ideal appliance for the normal baker (i.e. someone that doesn’t regularly bake for giant crowds). And it takes up a much more reasonable amount of counter space than the original!
11. Labeled Kitchen Canisters. For neat freaks with good taste!
12. The Dude Diet. (Had to.) The perfect present for all the peeps on your list who need a little nutritional/culinary guidance. Or love chicken fingies?
13. Yeti Rambler Lowball. This tumbler changed my life, and I am creepily obsessed with it. The folks at Yeti are known for their unbeatable coolers, so it makes total sense that they also make the most reliable insulated mug of all time. This thing keeps my coffee piping hot for more than an HOUR after I pour it (which is crucial because I’m a slow coffee drinker, okay?), and it keeps a smoothie ice cold for just as long. Witchcraft!! I recommend the tumbler for coffee/tea and outdoor cocktails, but if you’re gifting this to a smoothie lover, I’d go with the larger size.
p.s. As my gift to you, I’m giving away signed copies of The Dude Diet to 2 lucky peeps! (Which you can keep for yourself OR gift to someone who needs it.) To enter, simply leave a comment below with the best gift you’ve ever given or received. The giveaway will close on Sunday, December 4, at 11:59 p.m. This giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats to Becca and Gizele on their big wins!!
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I am loving the onsie my sister gave me because it is freezing right now! Great gift guide this year 🙂
One of the best gifts I ever received was a Harry Potter Duffle Bag from my local librarian for my high school graduation that she got me from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Five years later and it is still going strong and has traveled a good amount of states with me.
Best gift I’ve ever received was my very first DSLR camera! 🙂
When I graduated from college I moved from my home state of Michigan to Pennsylvanian. Before I left my friends and family all got me Michigan themed gifts (pillows, pictures, car decal ect.). Brining a little bit of home with me helped with the transition and reminded me of my loved ones back in Michigan.
My dad (like all dads?) is impossible to shop for, but last Christmas I tracked down some cheese that we’d eaten at Curate in Asheville (if you’re ever in Asheville or NC in general, GO THERE), he was so excited. Thanks to the Curate chef de cuisine for responding to my rambling email with four paragraphs about types and varieties of mitibleu and Murray’s Cheese for helping a girl out, couldn’t have done it alone.
The best gift I ever received was the DUDE DIET COOKBOOK OBVIOUSLY. Got it for my birthday this year and am loving it! Awesome recipes and hilarious commentary. Would love to gift it to more friends and have a signed copy!
best gift I’ve ever given: I got my brother a “Man Crate” (pardon the gender-normative name)–gift boxes that are targeted towards men that come in a wooden crate and a crowbar. he (and we) had so much fun trying to open it! I feel like the dudes of the dude diet would be OBSESSED with Man Crates.
Congrats!!! You are ze WINNER of a signed copy of The Dude Diet!! Will you please email serenawolf@domesticate-me.com with your full name and mailing address so I can get it out to you ASAP! xox
One of the best gifts: one of my friends got most all of my other friends to send me emails/snail mail on my birthday one year. Super fun day of hearing from all my peeps spread across the country.
Best gift I ever gave: I gave my groomsmen and maid of honor Swiss Army Knife cards…they fit in your wallet, and are all things awesome! And tiny.
Over the years, I have received so many thoughtful, awesome gifts. The one that stands out the most though is when I got my first real bicycle when I was 6. My dad spent every day when he got home teaching me how to ride it.
I made my boyfriend (now husband) an ornament filled with mementos from our first xmas together. I also handmade an xmas stocking for his (now our) dogs! Those were probably the best gifts I’ve given 🙂
A blanket made out of all the tee shirts I got from races and fitness competitions over the years.
The best gift I ever got was a fiance! We got engaged on Christmas Day.
The best gift I was ever able to give was a personal message from one of my boyfriend’s favourite actors, Stephen Mangan. I had been to see Stephen in a play, and I hung out after the play hoping to get to speak to him and ask if he wouldn’t mind writing a message to my boyfriend as one of his favourite characters. It all went together perfectly, Stephen couldn’t have been nicer and more accommodating, and my boyfriend (who wasn’t my boyfriend at the time, but I think this gift clinched it 😉 ) was completely blown away when I gave him a card with the message in it. I will never top it, but that is okay, as it is one of my favourite memories for life. <3
the best gift I’ve ever received was my beautiful KitchenAid stand mixer last Christmas! the best gift I COULD receive this year is a beautiful edition of the Dude Diet cookbook! 🙂 Or a Vitamix… both = heaven.
Congratulations, Becca!!! You are the winner of a fancy signed copy of The Dude Diet! When you have a sec, please email serenawolf@domesticate-me.com with your full name and mailing address, and I’ll send it out to you stat. Fingers crossed for that Vitamix!!! xox
YESSSSS I just emailed you! I am so excited!!!!
Best gift I ever received (15 years ago) was the large multi-tool Swiss Army Knife with my name carved in it. I use that knife all the time, for everything!
Best gift was Baby Tender Love – when I was about 8 yrs old! Congrats on the new book!!
When I was 4 my two older brothers and I were gifted Sega Genesis from Santa. I was still young but my brothers excitement made me believe it was the most amazing thing ever!! I was also recovering from heart surgery at the time and my Dad asked my brothers “isn’t the best Christmas present a healthy, happy, little sister?” to which my brothers replied “NO WAY IT’S SEGA GENESIS!!!!”. Thankfully it was all captured on home video and I’m pretty sure they still feel the same way. Sega genesis forever.
The best gift I ever gave was to my dad, who is notoriously hard to buy for. I sent some of his photos (he’s an amateur photographer) to Shutterfly and made a bound photo display book. He took it everywhere to show off!
Kitchen-aid stand-mixer! Funniest thing is, I never asked for it! I asked for a hand mixer, so my boyfriend told his mom I wanted a hand-mixer. She heard, Stand mixer, so you can imagine my surprise when I got a full sized kitchen-aid stand mixer!
That’s a pretty awesome mix up!
First of all, I appreciate this post because gift giving both excites me and gives me anxiety at the same time. My favorite gift ever was a chocolate lab puppy. I kind of doubt anyone will ever beat that in Christmases future, unless they give me another puppy.
Best gift I ever received: a teapot shaped like a rabbit with a daffodil flower for a spout. Something I was going to buy for myself that disappeared from the store before I could buy it. But on Christmas day, I discovered a friend had gotten it for me – an extra-special experience. Best gift I’ve ever given: hand-knit socks.
The best gift I ever received was for my birthday a few years ago. I had just moved away from my favourite ice cream shoppe. A dear dear friend sent me a quart of the world’s best flavor (pear sorbet) several states away. The logistics and the thoughtfulness was top notch!
When I was 8 I got N64 for my birthday and it was the best gift ever until Keefo got me N64 this year for my birthday. Best gift I’ve ever given is, duh, The Dude Diet.