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Quick answer: The best holiday gifts are upgrades people use every day but won’t buy for themselves. For cooks that’s a cast iron skillet, an instant-read thermometer, or a good chef’s knife. For crafters it’s a reliable hot glue gun or a Cricut Joy Xtra. For stockings it’s clever kitchen tools under $25.
Want the everyday favorites too? Browse our Shop Our Favorites page.
Gifts for Home Cooks
- Lodge Cast Iron Skillet: an heirloom gift that costs less than dinner out.
- Lodge Enameled Dutch Oven: pretty enough to leave on the stove, and built for winter soups like our creamy cabbage soup.
- Victorinox Fibrox Chef’s Knife: the knife pros recommend to home cooks. (More in our guide to kitchen knives.)
- Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1: for the busy parent who wants weeknight dinners fast.
- NuWave Brio Air Fryer: crispy food without the oil. Start them off with our crispy air fryer chicken wings.
- Alpha Grillers Instant-Read Thermometer: small, inexpensive, and used every single week.
Gifts for Crafters & DIYers
- Cricut Joy Xtra Starter Bundle: the easiest way into machine crafting, from labels and cards to decals.
- Cricut EasyPress Mini: for the crafter who already has a Cricut and wants to try iron-on projects.
- Gorilla Dual-Temp Hot Glue Gun: every crafter’s workhorse, and theirs is probably worn out.
- Rolling Craft Storage Tote: gets supplies off the kitchen table.
- Clover Pom-Pom Maker Set: add a few skeins of yarn and a printout of our pom-pom tutorial for a ready-to-go gift.
Gifts for Kids
- Crayola Inspiration Art Case: a big set of art supplies in one carry case.
- Kids’ Real Baking Set: pair it with a family cookie day.
- Melissa & Doug Craft Kits: screen-free afternoons, sorted.
- LEGO Classic Creative Brick Box: open-ended building for every age.
Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Spring Chef Magnetic Measuring Spoons
- Zulay Kitchen Garlic Press
- Microplane Classic Zester
- Silicone Pot Holders
- Sushi Go! Card Game
- UNO Card Game
Make-It-Yourself Gifts
Short on budget or time? Some of the best gifts come out of your own kitchen or craft room:
- Homemade treats: our copycat Auntie Anne’s pretzels, packed in a tin.
- DIY earring holders for the jewelry lover.
- Free holiday printables for gift tags and cards.
Holiday Gift FAQ
What’s a good holiday gift for someone who loves to cook?
A tool they use every day but wouldn’t splurge on, like a cast iron skillet, an instant-read thermometer, or a quality chef’s knife.
What are good stocking stuffers for adults under $25?
Clever kitchen tools like magnetic measuring spoons or a Microplane zester, or small card games like UNO and Sushi Go.
What’s a good gift for a beginner crafter?
A Cricut Joy Xtra bundle, or a quality hot glue gun with a storage tote. Both get used constantly.
