2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Home Cooks and Food Lovers

THE GIFT GUIDES ARE HERE!!!

I’ve got some fabulous ideas for a variety of humans: Home Cooks and Food Lovers (below), Beauty and Wellness Enthusiasts, Home and Style Mavens, and, of course, Dudes. 

We all know that holidays aren’t about the presents. BUT you may also know that giving presents can be the best, and I take great pleasure in helping you find the perfect present for someone you love, especially the tough giftees. (I feel you. Everyone in my family is shockingly difficult to shop for.)

As always, my hope is that these gift guides help make shopping for your people a little bit easier and more fun. And reminder that there is zero shame in forwarding these gift guides to significant others/family members with the subject “Hint, hiiiint.”

Happy gifting, friends! And happy, happy holidays. You’re the best. 

2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Home Cooks and Food Lovers:

Aerolatte Milk Frother. Give the gift of fancy froth! This cute lil handheld frother can whip up luxurious, creamy froth for your hot and cold drinks in about 15 seconds. It’s the easiest way to up one’s at-home coffee game, and it comes with a handy little stand to keep it upright on the countertop.

Treats from Goldbelly. Goldbelly ships an array of outrageous treats from famous establishments all over the country. Search by the recipient’s favorite food (pizza! Bagels! Dessert!) and see what deliciousness you can find for them. If you know an ice cream enthusiast, I cannot recommend the “Not Fried Chicken” Ice Cream Bucket from Life Raft Treats. These ice cream bars look like fried chicken drumsticks but are actually waffle ice cream over a chocolate-covered cookie “bone” coated in white chocolate and crushed cornflakes. They are MAGICAL. Consider a gift card if you’re unsure of what might tickle the recipient’s food fancy…

Made In Pizza Steel/DIY Pizza Kit. This perforated carbon steel pizza steel is a game changer for anyone looking to whip up restaurant level pizza crust at home. The steel would make a fabulous present for a pizza lover on its own, but if you want to make it extra special, you could put together a festive homemade pizza kit. Print out a homemade pizza dough recipe on some nice paper (I love Alexandra Stafford’s recipe), and put all the non-perishable ingredients in a basket. Treat them to some excellent sauce as well, like Rao’s Homemade or Rubirosa’s new line, and maybe throw in a pizza cutter and/or pizza peel, and an apron.

Duralex Bowls. If you’re thinking, “Wow, Serena! You’ve really outdone yourself by picking the world’s most boring holiday present here,” I beg you to hear me out. These bowls RULE and deserve a spot in pretty much everyone’s culinary repertoire. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in exploring the kitchens of my friends/family/cooking class students, it’s that most people don’t have enough prep bowls (or dish towels…). This set of bowls will cover all the bases, and they are shockingly durable. I know people who have been using the same Duralex bowls for DECADES. On a selfish note, these bowls are likely to get put to work almost daily, so the recipient will be thinking of you often…

AreaWare NY Food Heart Puzzle. Give a New York food lover hours of deliciously kitschy entertainment with this puzzle homage to NYC’s finest offerings. And if you’re into the food puzzle idea but the New York angle isn’t working for you, check out AreaWare’s many other offerings.

Verve Culture Artisan Citrus Juicer. I got this old school citrus press for my brother last year, and it is one of the few “appliances” that doubles as décor. Whether used to make fresh orange or grapefruit juice, or to make mass quantities of lime juice for party margaritas, it’s sure to save a citrus fan some squeezing time and boost their kitchen’s aesthetic. Comes in four festive colors! And if you don’t think something this large will go over well, consider this cute little hand juicer with the same vintage vibe.

Red Clay Spicy Margarita Salt. Treat a margarita enthusiast to the best salt on the market. This blend strikes the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy, and it instantly elevates a variety of cocktails (not just tequila!). If you’re feeling generous, gift the salt along with a great bottle of tequila.

Restaurant Gift Certificate. I know gift certificates can sometimes feel like a cop-out, but if your giftee has a favorite restaurant/regular spot, this is a very practical and thoughtful present. (People regularly give us gift certificates to Rubirosa, and it makes me very happy to have the pizza bought for me by someone I love.) You could also make a reservation for you and the giftee at a restaurant you know they’ve been wanting to try! Just make a little printout describing your future hot date for them to open day of.

Tomar la Tarde Set. For the entertainers in your life! Casamia collaborated with the brilliant and wildly chic Natalie Steen (of The Nat Note) on this fabulous set that would be a very special addition to any recipient’s hosting collection. From beautiful striped tumblers to a hand-woven lime basket, this kit includes the necessities for hosting many a festive cocktail hour. You can also buy one or two pieces separately if you prefer!

Serena’s Cooking Club. I am only somewhat biased, but I think a subscription to my virtual cooking classes make an excellent present for the home cooks in your life! Whether you buy one month or a full year, the recipient will have access to all live classes every month as well as an On Demand library of all past classes and recipes if they’re unable to attend class live. Interactive classes are hosted on Zoom and cater to all skill levels. Better still, they require no prep! All one has to do is gather their ingredients and cookware, and sign onto Zoom—we make each recipe from start to finish together in class. I make sure everyone leaves with a delicious meal on the table and their questions answered. We have a truly amazing community and are always thrilled to welcome new members into the fold.

*Unfortunately, there is not currently a way to have subscriptions that are purchased start at a later date. I recommend making a card with information on the classes to gift day of, and then purchasing the subscription whenever they would like to start.

Elevated Craft Hybrid Cocktail Shaker. For your favorite home bartender! In addition to its sleek silhouette, this modern cocktail shaker solves for common cocktail shaker problems. It doesn’t stick, leak, or freeze your hands, and it comes with a handy measuring top that’s marked from ¼ ounce up to 6 ounces!

Made In Champagne Saber. What champagne drinker/thrill seeker you know wouldn’t want to cleanly slice the top off of a champagne bottle before any and all toasts? It’s the ultimate party trick and guaranteed to please, especially if you personalize the blade with an engraved name or date. Looking to really spoil someone? Add a set of Coupe Glasses (the Made In coupes are both beautiful and durable!) or a bottle of bubbly to the saber.

Zingermann’s Bacon of the Month Club. I have shared this club in gift guides past, but I needed to bring it back this year because it’s such a great present for bacon lovers (and I feel like we all know at least one?). You can choose a 3-, 6-, or 12-month option, and the happy recipient will receive some of the country’s best bacon—from Nueske’s wildly delicious and traditional applewood smoked to Two and Spencer’s Irish-Style Back Bacon—delivered to their doorstep each month along with fun bacon facts and recipes. I’ve gifted this to countless people over the years and have received nothing but rave reviews…

For more gifting inspiration, check out the Gift Guides for Home Cooks and Food Lovers from 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013. You may also find some ideas in my Wedding Registry Guide and in my “Kitchen Essentials” highlight on Instagram.