Every holiday season complex algorithms deliver gift recommendations that make us feel like our TikTok FYP knows us better than our families. If your niche interest is food, you’ve probably noticed that there are certain gifts that seem to be everywhere: in your favorite influencer’s kitchen, in the cute “general store” that sells $40 candles, and in all of your targeted ads on Instagram. Some of these buzzy gifts are all hype, but there are more than a few that BA staffers are actually excited about. Without further ado, these are the buzziest gifts of 2024—the ones we’re actually giving, and we’d be very happy to receive.
Fly By Jing’s fiery hot pot starter set
Hot Pot is probably the coziest dinner format, and Fly By Jing’s starter set makes it entirely too easy to get into a weekly hot pot hosting habit. The cheeky red electric hot pot has a glass lid, double handles, and an easy-to-use digital control. It also comes with two slotted spoons, two sets of silver chopsticks, and the brand’s signature fiery soup base.
Fellow’s wildly popular new coffee maker
For many years, we’ve considered the Technivorm Moccamaster to be one of the best things to gift the coffee lover in your life. But there’s a new high-tech drip coffee maker in town from Fellow, one of our favorite brands. BA’s senior commerce editor Noah Kauffman says the Aiden may be the best coffee maker he has ever used—and we trust his opinion, because he literally tests coffee makers for a living. The first run of this brewer sold out almost immediately, so preorder it ASAP if you want one under the Christmas tree.
Everything from The Met x Anthropologie collab
Our current tableware obsession is the collaboration between The Met and Anthropologie. Everything is inspired by actual pieces from The Met’s permanent collection, and if you don’t believe me, you can see it for yourself next time you’re in NYC (most of the inspiration pieces are in the museum’s visible storage wing). I especially love the story behind the stoneware dessert plates, which are inspired by a Limoges blank that was embellished by a female ceramic artist who kept a home kiln in her NYC apartment.
A very chic hot chocolate maker
Does anyone really need a countertop appliance that makes hot chocolate at the touch of a button? If you know someone like me, whose afternoon warm beverage of choice October–March is hot chocolate, then yes. Hotel Chocolat’s Velvetiser is easy to use, has a self-cleaning function, and makes the absolute silkiest hot chocolate I’ve ever tried. The brand’s single-serve packets of chocolate flakes come in pure chocolate options with varying degrees of milk and sugar added as well as fun flavors like black forest cake and pumpkin spice.
Ghia’s nonalcoholic bubbly
We’ve been fans of Ghia’s nonalcoholic beverage lineup ever since its inception. And while we still love the brand’s First Sip Kit, this year we’re chilling a few bottles of its sweet and tangy Le Fizz for our festive get-togethers. It’s the perfect booze-free bubbly to drink out of your fanciest coupe glasses.
Fishwife’s obsession-worthy apparel
By now, loving Fishwife’s cult-favorite tinned fish is a way of life. For the 2024 holiday season, the brand is packaging bundles of its fan-favorite products in extremely giftable (and reusable!) tins. But the real MVP is Fishwife’s merch: I have been living in the ultrasoft Fishwife crewneck all autumn long, and I already have a few orders placed for the Tuna Fish Hat to give friends and family.
Our favorite curated pasta kits
No matter how much your foodie friend loves to cook, there will be a few nights every year when they must engage in the time honored internal battle of make something from the pantry or order takeout? Help their better angels win by stocking them up with these BA editor-approved pasta bundles from a few of our favorite brands.
For something simple and super high-quality, it’s hard to beat Jacobsen Salt Co.’s Cacio e Pepe bundle, which comes with the brands cult-favorite pasta water salt discs, Telicherry peppercorns, and spaghetti from San Francisco’s Flour + Water. Sauz (the maker of our absolute favorite jarred pasta sauce) has a bundle that comes with spaghetti from Rummo and two of their marinara sauces, plus an extremely chic tote bag. And for your friend who always whines about not being able to get into Carbone, the celeb-favorite brand’s jarred spicy vodka sauce is shockingly solid—and the kit comes with an heirloom-quality platter to complete the restaurant-like experience.
The ultimate starter knife and cutting board set
If you know someone who’s just getting into cooking (or who hasn’t upgraded their basics in a while) the new chef’s knife and cutting board bundle from Great Jones is an ideal gift. The 6″ chef’s knife has a stunning marbled handle, and the size is perfect for anyone with smaller hands. The paddle-shaped cutting board is a great all-purpose size and doubles as serveware for steaks, charcuterie, or cut fruit.
Breville’s most foolproof espresso machine
Launched earlier this year, the Oracle Jet is equipped with a built-in Baratza burr grinder, an automatic steam wand that can be programmed for different types of milks, and a touchscreen display whose pixel quality is so clear it feels like you’re using an iPhone. It’s been a game changer for BA commerce writer Alaina Chou, who was pouring silky oat milk cappuccinos within minutes of unboxing the machine despite never having used an espresso maker in her life.
A luxe fruit basket for $50
There’s a certain retro appeal to giving fruit as a gift, and the ultimate nostalgic fruit gift is definitely a box of super fancy pears from Harry & David. Maybe it’s the fact that one or two are always wrapped in gold foil; maybe it’s the simple truth that these are going to be the best pears you’ve ever eaten unless you happened to grow up in a pear orchard, or something. Either way it’s hard to find a food gift for $50 that packs as much punch and luxury appeal as this one.
Fancy pajamas for NYE at home
Pajamas are always a great holiday gift idea, and you might was well get a luxe, eye-catching pair from Printfresh. We’ve yet to meet a Printfresh pattern we didn’t love, but we have our eye on this Champagne and Caviar set for a NYE in. If you want to get something truly decadent, go for the plush velvet Big Cat Energy robe, which is perfect for low-key hosting situations.
An XL tin of the good anchovies
We can all agree that Cantabrian anchovies are the best anchovies, so it’s not a bad idea to have a lot of them on hand. The ideal gift for the anchovy fanatic in your life (you know exactly who I’m talking about!), Siesta Co.’s Fiesta Size tin of anchovies will make them squeal with delight.
A set of chic, sparkly chopsticks
This set of shell-inlaid lacquer chopsticks from House of Umami is likely to become one of the recipient’s new favorite objects. They’re eye-catching enough for a nice dinner party, but they also make a simple meal of kimchi fried rice or peanut noodles feel special.
The ultimate backyard pizza party ovens
At-home pizza nights have officially eclipsed waiting in line for the hot new pizza in town, because the hot new pizza in town is in your own backyard. Gozney’s Arc XL pizza oven allows for precise temperature control, is roomy enough for a 16″ pie, and comes in a few sleek colorways. Bundle it with the matching stand and you’ll feel like you run your own restaurant. If you’re more of an Ooni person, its Koda 2 Max model can comfortably fit two smaller pies or one slice shop-style large pie, and is also great for things like T-bone steaks and wings. Buy it on its own or bundle it with a stand, cover, and all the essentials your giftee will need.
A cute bowl for your friend who already has too many cute bowls
There are two types of people in this world: those who get excited about little bowls and everyone else. If you know someone who absolutely loses it (in a good way) over little ceramics, a Marvilla small bowl is the perfect piece to add to their collection. And if that person already has way too many tiny bowls, spring for the brand’s extra-large salad bowl to encourage some variation in their kitchen cabinets.
The best boxed cake mix for dessert emergencies
Boxed cake mix has come a long way since the pioneering days of (fictional!) homemaker Betty Crocker, and Elia’s olive oil cakes are proof. These boxed cake mixes come in a variety of Mediterranean-inspired flavors, come together in less than five minutes, and are an absolutely foolproof dessert for last-minute hosting situations or nights when you simply must have a freshly baked cake in under an hour. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but they might be even better than homemade.
The functional mushroom chocolates our editors swear by
Functional mushrooms have been buzzy for a while now, and the trend is clearly not going anywhere. While some mushroom-laced things can taste weird and have questionable benefits, our team tried and tested both the Nightcap and Brainstorm chocolates. Even the most skeptical of us found that we slept like babies and were suddenly really excited to check things off our to-do list after lunch.
An apron you’ll never want to take off
It’s hard to find an apron that’s chic enough to wear for the duration of a dinner party, but Minna’s Meridian apron fits the bill. It has a fully adjustable cross-back design that ensures it never sits weird or sags, and the windowpane pattern is cute without being cutesy.
Our test kitchen team’s favorite vanilla
Heilala’s Double Fold vanilla extract used to be just for professional chefs, but the team behind BA’s test kitchen wanted to bring this ultra-concentrated vanilla extract to pantries everywhere. Consider it a little holiday present from us to you—and everyone on your cookie swap list. Heilala’s classic vanilla bean paste and holiday-themed bundle of extracts are also perfect stocking stuffer ideas for the avid baker on your list.
The coasters we’re gifting everyone this year
You can never have too many coasters, and these stainless-steel puddle coasters from Holcomb Studio are the ones BA’s commerce editors are gifting this year. They have a mirrorlike shine that’s easy to keep clean and a nonslip base that will keep your drinks from spilling.
