Christmas Gift Guide for Foodies - Little Sunny Kitchen

From my favorite kitchen essentials to the stocking stuffers that foodies love, this Christmas Gift Guide has everything you need to shop for your favorite people!

I’ve included easy shopping links for everything, so you won’t even need to change out of your comfy clothes to pick up these perfect kitchen gifts.

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide featuring various kitchen tools and appliances. Items include silicone baking cups, a stainless steel frying pan, nonstick skillet, digital air fryer, cut-resistant gloves, knife, salad spinner, hand grater, metal tongs, spatula, kitchen scissors, crockpot, knife sharpener, cast iron Dutch oven, potato masher, mixing bowls, and a wooden cutting board. These kitchen essentials are arranged on a white and yellow background.

2024 Holiday Kitchen Gift Guide

What I love most about gifting kitchen gadgets, equipment, and supplies: Everyone needs these things! Nobody will ever be disappointed with a shiny new Dutch oven or a well-made chef’s knife.

I’m starting off with my absolute favorite kitchen essentials. These kitchen gifts are perfect for anyone just starting out with their own place, and for those that might be due for some upgraded equipment.

I’ll help you understand what to shop for, and how to choose the best kitchen gear this holiday season.

Next, I’ll recommend some perfect stocking stuffers; small gifts that are perfect for everyone on your list.

Lastly, Christmas doesn’t have to be all about the kitchen goods. Shop my favorite traditional gifts that are all the rage this year!

Christmas Gift Guide – Kitchen Capsule Essentials

If I were equipping a brand new kitchen right now, these are the 9 things that I would absolutely buy first. They are must-have gifts for anyone who likes to cook!

Christmas Gift Guide featuring essential kitchen tools and cookware. The items include a metal spatula, tongs, silicone spatula, digital cooking thermometer, chef’s knife, cast iron skillet with a red handle, mixing bowls, a red Dutch oven, and a large wooden cutting board. The items are arranged on a white and yellow background.

Keep reading for all the details and I’ll be recommending the products that I use and love!

Knives

Christmas Gift Guide featuring kitchen tools and knife essentials. The items include a mandoline slicer with a hand guard, three different types of knives (paring knife, chef’s knife, and bread knife), cut-resistant gloves, kitchen scissors, and a Chef'sChoice electric knife sharpener. The items are arranged on a white and yellow background.

Everyone should have at least three quality knives: A chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a 10-inch serrated bread knife.

Look for single knives or a set of knives that are well-made, comfortable to use, and built to last for many years. You’ll pay a bit more for good knives, but it’s worth it!

Along with knives, you will want to include a knife sharpener. I recommend the Chef’s Choice Electric Sharpener (UK shopping link) for an easy option. Or go for a classic Whetstone (UK shopping link) instead.

To stay extra safe while cutting, I like to wear cut-resistant gloves (UK shopping link). Accidentally slicing your finger while trying to chop vegetables is no fun!

Another amazing cutting tool that I use all the time is my OXO Good Grips Mandoline (UK shopping link). It creates precision slices quickly and safely.

Finally, no kitchen capsule will be complete without a sturdy pair of kitchen shears. These OXO Kitchen Shears (UK shopping link) are easy to clean and so versatile. I use these to spatchcock chicken, open packages, cut herbs, and to slice homemade pizza.

Mixing Bowls

Person whisking ingredients in a Pyrex glass mixing bowl on a wooden countertop. Two additional Pyrex bowls contain dry and liquid ingredients. Pyrex branding and certification icons, including 'Made in France' and 'Extreme Resistance Borosilicate Glass,' are displayed at the bottom of the image

From pancake batter to salads, every kitchen needs a few of these! I generally prefer glass mixing bowls as they are easy to clean. Plastic mixing bowls tend to scratch and ceramic mixing bowls are just too heavy.

For a gift, look for a set of three bowls in various sizes, small, medium, and large. Pyrex Mixing Bowls (UK shopping link) are the best, and a total classic.

Instant Read Thermometer

Any time you are cooking meat, a food thermometer is a must. I keep one of these in a drawer next to my stove, and another with my grilling tools.

I recommend using and gifting the OXO Instant Read Thermometer (UK shopping link). This is a great all-purpose use thermometer with a large LCD screen, and it takes just seconds to show you the internal temperature of your food.

Spatulas

I use two different types of spatulas regularly in the kitchen.

First, a fish spatula is a great, flexible metal spatula that can support larger foods, flip, and transfer them. It can be used for much more than just fish! I recommend the fish spatula by Wusthof.

For a silicone spatula, buy one that is about 12 inches. It’s perfect for cooking, scooping batters, folding, and scraping mixing bowls.

Skillet

Want to buy someone the perfect skillet this Christmas? Say less – I’ve got you covered!

Look for a large skillet, it has so many more uses than smaller ones.
Buy a skillet with a lid, or pick up a lid that fits it. The lid is handy for steaming, containing splatters, and keeping your food warm.
Pay attention to the handle of the skillet you’re buying. For stainless steel, cast iron, or carbon steel skillets you will want to pick one with an oven-proof (metal) handle.

Stainless Steel Skillets – A must for every kitchen! These are lightweight and can be used for almost any recipe. If you’re worried about food sticking to a stainless steel skillet, the best tip that I can give is this: Preheat the skillet well, and use enough oil or butter to keep food from sticking.

Cast Iron Skillets – My favorite! Cast iron cooks incredibly evenly and can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, or even on the grill. The 12-inch Lodge cast iron skillet is an inexpensive option.

If you’re gifting a cast iron skillet, be sure to remind the recipient that it will require some maintenance. These skillets should be seasoned regularly to keep them clean and in good condition.

Non-Stick Skillets – I don’t recommend using these often. The reason is that they are somewhat disposable. Over time, the non-stick coating will deteriorate and the pan become unusable. I do like a non-stick pan for cooking things like eggs though, and as long as you avoid using metal utensils it will last for a while.

Dutch Oven

If you’ve visited my site before, you’ll notice that I cook a lot in a Dutch Oven. It’s my go-to pot for soups, deep frying, and baking things like whole chickens, roasts, and even bread.

A large round enameled cast-iron Dutch oven is an investment that can last a lifetime!

More Kitchen Gifts for 2024

These items are not necessarily basic or essential in the kitchen, so they are a great gift for a more experienced home cook.

Christmas Gift Guide showcasing essential kitchen appliances and tools. Items include: 1. Cuisinart food processor, 2. Salad spinner, 3. Set of baking sheets, 4. Metal tongs, 5. Potato masher, 6. Cosori smart air fryer with app integration, and 7. Burgundy Crock-Pot slow cooker. Each item is numbered and arranged on a white background.

Food Processor: Easily make dips, spreads, pie crusts, and more!

Salad Spinner (UK Shopping link): For cleaning fresh lettuces and herbs.

Baking Sheets: For cookies and easy sheet pan meals. I love the Nordicware natural aluminium sheets in 1/4 sheet (UK shopping link) and 1/2 sizes (UK shopping link).

Kitchen Tongs: Long, well-made tongs will give you a secure grip. I use these OXO Tongs regularly (UK shopping link).

Potato Masher: One with perforated plates will give your mashed potatoes a smoother finish. OXO Potato Masher (UK shopping link).

Air Fryer: My Cosori Air Fryer is a consistent favorite.

Slow Cooker: Dinners are so much more simple in a classic Crock Pot.

Try my slow cooker carnitas or slow cooker buffalo chicken dip!

Kitchen Stocking Stuffers

Looking for something small to pop into a Christmas stocking or a small gift bag?

Microplane Rasp Style Grater (UK shopping link)
Mini Whisk (UK shopping link)
Instant Read Thermometer (UK shopping link)
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Silicone Baking Cups
Christmas Sprinkle Catcher
Christmas Cat Mug
Silicone Oven Mitts

Other Gifts!

Home cooks aren’t all about life in the kitchen, and I bet anyone will enjoy one of these fun, cozy, or luxurious gifts this holiday season!

Christmas Gift Guide featuring a selection of thoughtful gift ideas. Items include: 1. A French press coffee maker, 2. Laneige lip care set with lip balm and lip mask, 3. Owala water bottle, 4. Instacart gift card, 5. Stack of colorful throw blankets on a green chair, 6. Holiday-scented candles with decorative packaging, 7. Kindle e-reader. Each item is numbered and arranged on a white background with colorful confetti accents.

Bodum French Press
Laneige Divine Lip Duo in candy cane
Owala 24oz FreeSip stainless steel water bottle
An Instacart Gift Card, for anyone who would love to save time by not having to go to the grocery store!
European Cashmere Throw blanket
Holiday Scented Candles
Amazon Kindle Scribe

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Enjoy shopping for your family and friends this year! I can promise that anything from this list will be a welcome and well-recieved gift that your loved ones will use over and over again to cook all of their favorite dishes.