Believe it or not, it’s that time of year again! The weather is cooling down, students are stressing over final exams, families are prepping for Christmas dinner, and holiday products are hitting shelves (and Amazon search bars) nationwide. If you’re not sure what to get the resident foodie friend beyond the classic apron, cookbook, or mug, Spoon University has you covered when it comes to a unique gift they’ll love *almost* as much as their favorite holiday meal.
Whether you’re participating in a White Elephant gift exchange, buying for friends, or opening presents with family, this guide of unusual food-themed gifts will ensure a delicious holiday for all of your foodie loved ones in 2021.
From affordable trinkets to luxury goods, this list offers a variety of gifts with a personal touch for your favorite foodie.
For the Fashionable Foodie:
1. Pretzel Earrings, $17.99
Wear your love for carbs on your sleeve — er, ears. These delectable studs are handmade and available in a variety of metals and finishes. Available on Etsy in silver, gold, and rose gold finishes.
2. “If You Can Read This, Bring Me Pizza!” Socks, $8.99
These high-quality, non-slip socks are the ideal gift for the fashionable and humorous foodie who has a pizza your heart -- just tell them to sit back, relax, and enjoy their slice!
3. Farfalle Necklace, $20.52
It’s im-pasta-ble not to love this dainty, handmade piece of jewelry, which comes in three beautiful finishes.
4. Charcuterie Board Shirt, $24.30+
Tell me you love charcuterie, but make it classy. This shirt is almost as soft as your favorite pasteurized cheese, and is available in three colors.
5. Macaron Jewelry Case, $9.99
You don’t need to know the difference between macaron and macaroon to know that these cases were inspired by the colorful French cookie are adorable and practical.
These macaron-shaped containers can act as a jewelry box, storage box, pill case, or home accessory.
For the Foodie Who Loves to Cook:
6. Hungryroot Subscription, $59.94+ per box
Take it from someone who swore they’d never use a grocery subscription — Hungryroot is tried, true, and Spoon-approved.
It’s a great option for the busy foodie, the foodie who wants to cook but doesn’t know where to start, and anyone who hates the grocery store.
7. Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, $39.99
If you’re looking for a one-stop-pot, a cast iron skillet provides superior heat retention and is unparalleled for even cooking.
Made in U.S., Lodge Cast Iron Skillets are at home in the oven, on the stove, on the grill or over the campfire, and perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert.
8. Trader Joe's Seasonings, $22.75
Trader Joe's versatile seasoning blends have become pantry staples for home cooks (and college students) looking to quickly elevate any dish.
Plus, their adorable holiday sampler, which includes the cult classic Everything But the Bagel and salt-less Chili Lime blend, are perfect for gifting.
9. Avocado Food Huggers, $11.99
The dishwasher-safe duo is an eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic wrap, keeping cut avocados fresh for longer - so you can enjoy guacamole anytime.
10. Cuisinart Pizza Grill Set, $39.99
Who can resist a fresh, grill-fired pizza? This 3-piece set provides everything you need to grill a professional pizza right at home: a pizza stone, pizza peel and pizza cutter.
For the Foodie with a Sweet Tooth:
11. Milk Bar Sampler, $54
This sampler pack of classic Milk Bar treats gives you a taste of the greats, from their rainbow-vanilla B'Day Cake Truffles and Chocolate B'Day Cake Truffles to their fan-favorite cookie to a single slice of the cult-classic ooey-gooey Milk Bar Pie — all packaged in a slick tin. Available for nationwide delivery!
12. McConnell's Fine Ice Creams Pint of the Month Club Membership, $114+
California creamery McConnell’s Pint of the Month Club not only earns members early access to their new flavors (think Eureka Lemon Marionberry and Sea Salt Cream and Cookies), it delivers the creamiest handcrafted ice cream directly to your doorstep. Starting at $144+, with three pints per month.
13. Fresh Baked Cookie Crate, $29.99+
Fresh Baked Cookie Crate is a monthly baking subscription box that brings you the tools you need to bake your own gourmet cookies at home, whether your foodie is a seasoned baker, or totally new to baking.
With pre-measured quality ingredients, Fresh Baked makes it easy to discover a brand new cookie to bake, share, and indulge in.
14. Make Your Own Churros DIY Kit, $42
Gift the gift of an irresistible food-cart classic home with this easy-to-use DIY churro kit, which includes enough pre-made batter mix, sweet toppings, and chocolate for dipping to whip up 40 desserts.
15. Cookies: The New Classics by Jesse Szewczyk, $23.49
Move beyond the same-old chocolate chip, peanut butter, and oatmeal cookies with Jesse Szewczyk’s collection of 100 brand-new, boldly flavored, and intriguing yet familiar recipes.
Sophisticated and approachable — many don’t even require an electric mixer — these new classics are divided into chapters by flavors and attributes such as Chocolaty, Boozy, Fruity, Smoky, and Savory
For the Foodie Who Loves to Host:
16. Stamped Silver Cheese Knife, $14+
Hopefully this gift, which is available in phrases such as “to brie or not to brie” and “life is gouda” isn’t too cheesy for the host.
17. Foodie Dice, $24
A fun new way to shake up your cooking routine, Foodie Dice provides inspiration for creating simple, seasonal meals.
Simply select the five primary dice, add a seasonal veggie die and roll. Then shop, cook, and eat! There are over 186,000 possible meal combinations to inspire creativity in the kitchen.
18. My Family Cookbook, $30
From grandma's carrot cake to mom's pasta bake, every family has recipes that transport them back to the kitchen in an instant.
Pass these special moments on to future generations with My Family Cookbook, a completely customizable recipe book which includes space for more than 80 recipes.
19. Sushi Chef Sushi Making Kit, $69.89
This make-at-home Sushi Kit provides all the ingredients (excluding fresh toppings), tools, and instruction needed to create approximately 125 pieces of Japanese-style sushi, including sushi and rice vinegars, a bamboo nori rolling mat, and step-by-step instructions and recipes.
For the ~Aesthetic~ Foodie
20. Crocs and Food Jibbitz, $4,95+
With options such as tacos, bagels, chicken tenders, and even a charcuterie board, it’s easy to rock the Crocs off your trendy foodie at this year’s Secret Santa.
21. Enamel Food Pin Bundle, $12+
Give your foodie the gift of nostalgia with an enamel pin reminiscent of their favorite childhood snack.
Design options include Totino's Pizza Rolls, Bagel Bites, Eggo Waffles, and more.
22. Snack-Themed AirPod Case, $11.98
Show off your snack-y side with novelty AirPod cases, featuring designs such as Goldfish, Welch's Fruit Snacks, and Smartfood Popcorn.
I have the Nutella case, and it brings a smile to my face every time I listen to music. Bonus points for keeping my AirPods safe, no matter how many times I drop them while reaching for the Tostito's on the top shelf.
23. Chamberlain Coffee, $24+
Responsibly made and sustainably sourced, Chamberlain Coffee’s gift boxes and bundles will put a smile on the face of every coffee lover out there — especially the foodie who can’t get enough of Emma Chamberlain’s YouTube videos.
For the Caffeine-Addicted Foodie
24. Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker, $59.99
This mini coffee machine is small enough to fit snugly into your dorm room or on your kitchen counter, while still brewing a fresh cup of coffee every time. And it comes in six colors!
25. Atlas Coffee of the Month Subscription, $9+
Atlas Coffee Club provides a curation of the world's best single origin coffee, every single month, custom fit to your preferences.
Each box comes with coffee & a postcard from a new country each month, with tasting notes & brewing tips for each batch.
26. Firebelly Tea Samplers, $18.95+
Firebelly Tea — the a tea company that uses sustainable, compostable packaging — has a variety of three tea samplers to meet any and all tea time needs.
27. OneStripe Chai Co. Custom Chai Sampler, $37
OneStripe Chai Co.'s Sampler Gift Box is the perfect gift for the chai lovers in your life!
Each box includes unsweetened chai concentrate, original chai concentrate, two stickers, a recipe card, and a pack of One Stripe Chai x Stroopclub stroopwafels so that the recipient can snack while they sip. Plus, each box includes a personalized hand-written note — you provide the message, they’ll write and ship it!
28. Personalized Coffee Scoop & Bag Clip, $27.58+
Lovingly hand-crafted and finished from solid oak, this personalized coffee scoop will help your favorite coffee lover create the perfect cup.
Plus, the scoop doubles as a clip, keeping the coffee fresh so that they can enjoy a delightfully cozy cup again and again.
29. Teeccino Holiday Favorites Gift Box, $39.99
Low in acidity and naturally caffeine-free, Teeccino is a delicious blend of organic herbs like chicory, carob, dandelion or ramón seeds plus fruits and nuts that are roasted and ground to brew like coffee.
You can celebrate the season with the Teeccino Holiday Favorites Gift Box, which features a sampler of their top three holiday blends: Snickerdoodle, Gingerbread, and Cordyceps Schisandra.
30. Coffee T-Shirt, $9.59+
This shirt is perfect for your favorite coffee-lover who isn’t a coffee snob, so long as they get their cup of Joe.
For the Pop-Cultured Foodie:
31. Seinfeld Restaurant Poster, $14.85+
Subtly show off your love for 1990s smash hit TV series Seinfeld with this classic digital painting. This slice of NYC Americana would make a great gift for any fan of this classic sitcom.
32. Schitt’s Creek Dish Towels, $24.95
The last thing you’ll hear is “Ew” when your food-loving bébé opens this handmade cotton dish towels.
33. Serenity By Jan Candle, $23.40+
Does your foodie love waking up to the smell of bacon in the morning? Rather than suing them this holiday season, treat them to this candle inspired by The Office.
34. Star Wars Light Saber Chopsticks, $10.97
The season to give gifts it is! These light up ChopSabers will make any meal into a battle fit for a Jedi, whether at home or in a galaxy far, far away.
35. The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, $11.99
Forget the rides, the main attraction of Disney Parks may just be the food. This unofficial recipe book features 100 recipes for fanatic faves, such as Dole Whips and Mickey Pretzels.
For the Adventurous Foodie:
36. Kombucha Brewing Starter Kit, $41.99
Perfect for your friend who is always complaining about spending money on ‘booch, but isn’t quite ready to part with the fermented tea.
This kit has everything you need to start brewing your own kombucha at home, including kombucha cultures, equipment, and instructions that will have you giving Brad Leone a run for his money.
37. Oyster Mushroom Log Kit, $30
Oyster mushrooms’ sweet, mild flavor and velvety texture make for delicious eating in stir-fries and sauces, raw or cooked.
This mushroom growing log is made from salvaged aspen and poplar trees, meaning all your foodie has to do is soak the log and keep it in a damp, cool, dark place for a fresh oyster mushroom heaven that lasts up to three years.
38. Universal Yums International Snack Box, $15+
Universal Yums is a snack box subscription service featuring snacks from around the world, without having to leave your house.
Think Bubble Tea Popcorn from Taiwan, Vanilla Tahini Halva from Turkey, and Fried Chicken Balls from South Korea — no passport required.
39. Hot Sauce Sampler, $34.99
This gift set includes seven different hot sauces inspired by flavors and peppers from around the world.
Flavors in this hot sauce kit range from mild to blazing hot and include: Garlic Herb, Smoky Bourbon, Garlic Pepper, Chipotle Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Whiskey Habanero, and Ghost Pepper.
40. Soap Noodles, $15
If a steamy bowl of ramen is your go-to comfort food, consider these soapy squiggles their bath time equal.
Packaged in adorable (and plastic-free) takeout boxes, they look like their edible counterparts, but the natural vegan ingredients in these noodles are there to cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize your body.
For the On-The-Go Foodie:
41. Sriracha Keychain, $11.37
Make sure your foodie never leaves the house without their favorite condiment. These keychains are BPA-free, and have a secure lock cap to ensure no leaking.
42. Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker, $24.99
Use this appliance to completely customize your sandwich with your choice of bread, cheese, eggs, meats, and much more.
I’m loyal to my Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker, which still makes a mean sausage, egg, and cheese after almost a whole decade (!!) on the job.
43. Reusable Bamboo Utensils, $13.89
Give the gift of sustainability this Christmas with this 9-piece cutlery set. The sleek reusable pouch makes it easy to bring this eco-friendly cutlery on-the-go.
44. Snack Attack Veggies & Dip Snack Pack
These quirky snack packs are sure to bring a smile to the face of the foodie who knows that veggies are just a vehicle for dip.
Each reusable 3-piece set includes a base container, dip container, and lid, which is perfect for on-the-go snacking.
45. Saucemoto Dip Clip, $9.99
The Saucemoto is the solution for the age-old problem of creating a mess in your car, or worse — sauce-less food.
Help your go-getting, commuting foodie start dipping responsibly and practice safe sauce with the Saucemoto dip clip, which fits vents of all shapes and sizes.
For the WFH Foodie:
46. Personalized Mac & Cheese Spoon, $9.60
Looking for a gift that’s personal, but not too ~cheesy~? This custom spoon will make sure that no one takes your favorite foodie’s spoon, let alone their mac.
47. Milk Frother, $21.99
Give your favorite foodie the gift of not having to leave the house with this milk frother.
Not only does it give that professional finishing touch to your latte, cappuccino, macchiato or hot chocolate, it allows the user to make a drink *exactly* how they like it.
48. Mini Waffle Maker, $16.99
Make your favorite breakfast classics, or get creative with waffled hash browns, cookies and even biscuit pizzas, without leaving the house.
Simply plug it in and pour the batter, and the waffle maker will cook delicious golden waffles every time. It also comes in tons of cute colors!
49. Toast Night Light, $22.99
Regardless of how toasty you like your bread, this lamp’s golden-brown illumination adds a warm glow to every room. Plus, its silicone feet double as a phone stand.
50. Baguette Wrist Support, $19.99
Provide a bit of relief for your foodie’s wrist, while also bringing comic relief with this non-slip wrist pillow perfect for the WFH carboholic.
For the Foodie With a Sense of Humor
51. Tortilla Throw Blanket, $28.99
The only thing that beats a cozy blanket in the winter is being tucked in tightly...just like a burrito. This tortilla throw is made of high quality flannel, meaning it’s super soft and comfortable.
52. Vampire Garlic Press, $19.99
This vampire isn’t afraid of a little garlic. With just one twist of Gracula's head (ha-ha, get it?), your garlic will be crushed and ready for cooking — and the smiles will be seen in the mirror.
53. Sushi Socks
These unique socks are the perfect subtle homage to your favorite sushi, whether it be maki, nigiri, or sashimi.
Each sock is folded in a specific way to resemble the Japanese delicacy in a takeout box that looks good enough to eat.
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