Coley's Favorite Things: 2023 Gift Guide

Holiday shopping can be brutal, but I'm here to help make it a little bit easier!

A close up of a dog in front of a Christmas tree.

Like many others, I too am frustrated by the commercialism of the holidays. But the fact is that it's not going away, and we all encounter situations where we need to give a gift.

My intention with this gift guide is not to encourage more unnecessary consumerism, but to help you select gifts that are useful and of value, not just another tchotchke that's going to end up in a landfill.

All of these products are things I currently own and use and are not sponsored in any way. That said, I do receive a small affiliate commission from anything purchased on Amazon. I appreciate your support whether you choose to shop through my links or not.

I'm confident you'll find something here for just about everyone on your list. So fix yourself a hot toddy, cozy up on the couch and get ready to click "add to cart."

Gifts for the home chef

Here are my top picks for cooking tools and utensils that are ideal for anyone that's just getting started with cooking or stocking a new kitchen. Nothing wrong with a practical gift!

A great knife and knife sharpener is essential. I love the knives from Misen and Global. I have and love this knife sharpener, but this sharpener is similar and cheaper.
A microplane grater is one of my most-used kitchen tools, along with the immersion blender, probe thermometer, bench scraper, fine-mesh strainer, kitchen shears, rubber spatulas and tongs.

For more established cooks, stay away from cooking tools so you don't give them something they already have. Here are my picks for what to get instead.

Nice serveware, like a handmade platter, serving bowl, or serving utensils. I love these wooden serving spoons, this ceramic serving bowl and this Himalayan salt block.
A cute apron or table linens are always well received. I love these Japanese style aprons and these linen napkins.

What's a gift guide without a shameless plug for my book, The Art of the Smoothie Bowl? Perfect for anyone embarking on a January health kick!

Gifts that are just plain great

One of my favorite gifts to both give and receive is a game! Telestrations will make you will laugh until your face hurts and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is compact, easy to learn and so much fun to play.
A set of packing cubes is a great gift for the avid travelers in your life. So is the Trtl travel pillow - I never step on a plane without mine.
Seasonal Family Almanac is such a cool book to gift a mom or family with young kids! It's filled with recipes, crafts and other ideas to "embrace the magic of the year."
My Hpyervolt massage gun is one of the best gifts I've ever received, but I love this trigger point self massager just as much (and it's a fraction of the price).
Scent is really personal, but I think anything from Lush's sleepy line is a safe buy. And this tomato scented candle is very highly reviewed, although I don't own it - yet.
A candle warming lamp is the perfect gift for candle lovers. No soot, candles last longer and you won't accidentally burn your house down.
You can't go wrong with one of these $50 women's cashmere sweaters or $59 men's cashmere sweaters.
Give the gift of magic.✨

One of the best and least expensive gifts you can give is anything you make yourself. Homemade salted caramels and homemade vanilla extract are both great ideas! I also love making personalized playlists for friends just like I used to make mix tapes and CD's back in the day.

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