41 of the Very Best Little Luxuries to Gift Any Food Lover
We’re big fans of little luxuries around here. What’s a little luxury, you ask? It’s something that someone wouldn’t normally think to buy for themselves. Maybe it’s a slightly splurgy piece of cookware, or something that’s more of a want than a need (such as a handcrafted ceramic mug). And, no matter what, these little luxury gifts are sure to make someone’s face light up as soon as they open the box.
Here, we’re talking specifically about luxurious kitchen gifts, including appliances, tools, and even small cooking upgrades that will make life easier. Whether you’re on the lookout for splurge-worthy cookware (especially from editor-favorite brands such as Great Jones and Our Place!) or food gifts including fancy olive oils and spices, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite luxurious gifts that are especially perfect for the holidays coming up. Although some of these treat-yourself gifts are pricey, you’ll also find plenty of options under $50 (including many great Amazon gifts!) if that’s what you’re after. After all, the most important part of little luxury gifts is having fun and making someone else smile!
2021 K Gift Guide: Little Luxuries - Just for Fun
This witty and whimsical woman is the definition of a delightful just-because gift. Made from milk glass in a slew of vibrant hues, it's ideal for that person whose home is filled with quirky treasures. They can use it in any room, and fill it with anything from candy to matchbooks.
No cocktail feels as luxe as a freshly stirred martini. These charming glasses are dressed for the occasion, with retro beading detail inspired by Parisian flea markets. Even more luxe, non?
This isn't your average apron — it's way more elevated, and it'll instantly upgrade your giftee's cooking experience. Unlike a regular apron, its wide crossover straps don't pull around your neck, it wraps all the way around for extra coverage, and two enormous pockets ensure all essentials will be within reach.
The perfect size for stashing, this handsome flask holds up to eight ounces of your giftee's tipple of choice. It's insulated and leak-proof — ideal for camping, picnicking, or just sipping on the sly.
Consider this one of those gifts that someone doesn’t even know they need or want until they see it. This handcrafted stoneware cup is full of form (it looks great) and function (the slot for the sponge allows moisture to drip down into the bottom). No sponge user should be without one of these.
A teacher, parent, or any type-A person is sure to enjoy an extra place to stash their stuff. Help them clear clutter and organize the things they need most with this attractive caddy.
This water bottle is more than just a looker. It has triple-wall vacuum insulation (to keep things hot or cold), a built-in infuser (for fancy water or tea), and its base is also just the right size to fit into most standard cup holders.
A great alternative to paper towels, these cloths are made from a mix of cotton and wood pulp. They’re durable, comfortable to use, and they look pretty cute, to boot. You can wash them in the washing machine or dishwasher, so they’re easy to use again and again.
"This shoulder bag is an absolute delight," raves Ktchn and Apartment Therapy SEO commerce writer Haley Lyndes, who proudly owns one. "It's perfectly sized for day-to-day adventures, generously accommodates essentials, and exudes undeniable fashion." Crafted from genuine leather, this bag is a luxurious gift that promises to spark joy.
Look no further for a trusty tumbler — Stanley has perfected its vacuum flask design to ensure your beverages stay hot or cold. Plus, its adjustable lid can be sipped from the lid or straw seamlessly! It's the type of tumbler you'll cherish for years to come.
Wine glasses are always a fantastic choice to splurge on (especially these!). With a generous capacity, a modern design, and six distinct colors, they add elegance to any occasion. Expertly hand-blown and lead-free, these glasses are the real deal. Plus, they come in a stylish gift box!
2021 K Gift Guide: Little Luxuries - Tools & Gadgets
This grinder in a word? Game-changing. This award-winning gadget uses patented interchangeable spice pods, so they can enjoy freshly ground spices without their sea salt tasting like cardamom. Plus, we love the vibrant color options.
Order two of these, because as soon as you lay eyes on this baster's silly smile and cheerful color palette, you're going to want one of your own. The purple bulb and transluscent pink tube will make any kitchen — and that holiday turkey — pop.
No coffee lover should be without an iconic moka pot. A staple of Italian homes since 1933, this elegant design creates rich and flavorful espresso in minutes. It will turn their afternoon coffee break into a mini European vacation.
Anyone who cooks regularly should have a beautiful knife, and this handcrafted stunner never fails to make us smile. Beneath that apple-red handle is a perfectly balanced blade crafted from a single rod of stainless steel. The Nakiri style design means that cuts straight down, making it ideal for veggie prep.
Nothing is more luxurious than dessert, which means you need an equally fancy vessel to enjoy it in. These retro-looking dessert bowls will look gorgeous on your shelves when not in use. They're handcrafted in Tuscany by master glassmakers and come in a variety of beautiful shades depending on your friends' style. Enjoy them with gelato, ice cream, or snacks while lounging on the couch to feel a little bit luxe.
Any coffee connoisseur will appreciate an AeroPress, but especially one who's short on storage space. This tiny device does it all: hot and cold coffee and espresso. It works by immersing ground coffee in water for better flavor extraction and lower acidity.
Sometimes something small can make a huge difference. Case in point: Our Place's adorable pinch bowls. We tried them out and loved how versatile they could be, acting as pinch bowls while you cook or condiment vessels for taco night. The best part? They'll look absolutely gorgeous on the table.
Gift your favorite movie lover this hot air popcorn popper, which also happens to be one of the best popcorn makers in our opinion! It can make up to 16 cups at a time, but it is easy to store because of its compact size. It even features a melting tray for anyone who prefers their movie snack with a ton of it butter mixed in.
Other cutting boards? More like cutting bored-s! See what we did there? Because they're all boring compared to this festive one, which is actually made with leftover scraps from other, solid cutting boards. Get this for anyone who could use a little more fun in their kitchen.
Everyone has an old spatula or two kicking around in their utensil crock, but not one like this. Upgrade one of your beloved’s most-used kitchen tools with this attractive and functional pick. The silicone has just the right amount of give around the edges to make digging and flipping a breeze.
Voted our "best heavier option" in a paring knife face-off, this version of the kitchen staple is more attractive than most. It’s got a bit of heft, so those with larger hands might appreciate its feel more than others.
One way to make drinking water more appealing is to have a stylish carafe to serve from. The tapered glass design and easy-to-use filter in LifeStraw's 7-Cup Water Filter Pitcher are beautifully simple. Plus, it filters out more than 30 different contaminants, including bacteria, lead, PFAS, and microplastics — making every home's water taste extra refreshing.
Most people significantly improved their at-home coffee game over the last couple of years. If someone you know still hasn’t gotten it quite right, help them out with this must-have milk-frothing tool. It’s the key to making at-home lattes extra-satisfying.
For some people, getting new sheet pans is always an exciting experience. They’re so clean and ready for any possibility one can throw at them! This set of sheet pans offers a little bit more than that typical thrill thanks to stunning colors and a finish that will help keep them looking brand-new for long after they should.
This doesn’t look like a standard peppermill and it doesn’t act like one either. A few unexpected and useful features make it a luxury most people are sure to appreciate. We especially enjoy the base for catching loose flakes, the wide mouth for easy loading, and the rust-proof ceramic grinder.
The best place for a drying rack when not in use? Somewhere out of sight! This pick easily rolls out to provide a large, sturdy drying surface that doesn’t take up any counter space. It fits over most sinks and has a handy caddy for utensils. Then, when the drying is done, it can be tucked away in a drawer until it’s needed again.
A dull knife is a dangerous knife! Help someone you love keep their knives in tip-top shape with this foolproof sharpener. We love that it's inexpensive, highly effective, and incredibly easy to use.
Treat someone in your life to a set of wooden utensils that they are sure to grab day after day from their kitchen crock. Made from durable ash, the spoon, ladle, and spatula are safe to use on nonstick, glass, steel, and ceramic surfaces. They’re also pretty enough to use for serving.
This little stocking stuffer can do a mighty big job. It easily and safely cleans cast-iron cookware without using any harsh chemicals that could compromise the seasoning. Made of stainless-steel chainmail, this item does a great job getting into any nooks and crannies where stuck-on bits may be hiding.
2021 K Gift Guide: Little Luxuries - Food
Your friend with flawless taste will relish the decadent flavor of this rich balsamic vinegar by Kitchn-favorite Brightland. Double fermented with California Zinfandel grapes and Triple Crown blackberries, its bold flavor is best enjoyed drizzled atop succulent mozzarella, ripe peaches, and fresh salads.
Small-batch crafted with ingredients from Sichuan, this four-pack of spicy sauces hit all the right flavor notes: tingly, savory, tangy, and jam-packed with umami. Your favorite gourmand will add them everything from popcorn to ice cream — they're that addictive.
This editor- and reader-favorite "secret sauce" will be a perfect gift for any condiment-lover who really wants to upgrade their pantry staples. One of our contributors raved about this when she first tried it, praising it for its versatile properties. "In my household, we are big hot sauce fans. Since our bottle of Saffron Gold arrived, however, our go-to hot sauce has gone untouched. But let me be clear: This saffron-tinted sauce is not just a hot sauce. Sure, it has a kick due to the habanero and escabeche peppers in its ingredient list, but it’s the most complex and layered condiment I have in my kitchen."
Another condiment that our readers snatched up after we sang its praises is this Graza Olive Oil Duo. We tried it earlier this year and loved so many aspects of it, including the squeeze bottle design and rich flavors. The set makes for a great foodie gift because it includes a cooking and finishing oil that are both 100-percent extra-virgin olive oils with fresh olives picked and bottled in Spain. Although you can certainly use Sizzle for cooking, we especially love pouring Drizzle over ice cream for a savory and sweet bite!
Help someone turn up the flavor — way up! With this mix of flavor packs from Omson, the Asian pantry brand that our editors can't get enough of, they can quickly and easily cook up flavorful dishes including Thai Larb, Vietnamese Lemongrass BBQ, and Japanese Yuzu Misoyaki. The collection comes with 15 starters, enough to make 35 delicious meals, so the gift will keep on giving for weeks!
There is a difference between honey and Good Honey. This stuff is Good Honey. It's sourced directly from third- and fourth-generation beekeeping families run by women-led teams in Kauai and the Central Valley of California. And, the apiaries maintain natural pollen grains and prioritize the health of hives and honeybee populations. Go ahead: Spread some much-needed sweetness to someone on your gift list.
Seed + Mill already makes some of our favorte tahini, but they subsequently added za’atar, and now we just can't get enough. This 16-ounce jar will make sure your pal has plenty to cook with and still have some left over to slather on a thick piece of toast.
Fancy salt isn’t something most people think to splurge on, but doing so can transform so many dishes that come out of the kitchen. Treat a food-loving friend or colleague to this adorable ceramic salt cellar filled with a truly special bluish-pink salt harvested from ponds in the Peruvian Andes.
Truffle oil always brings out the ooohs and aaahs, and for good reason. This delicious oil helps elevate pizza, french fries, eggs, and more. This pick is made with real, decadent truffles, so a little bit goes a long way.
Lots of things taste better while on a European holiday, and butter is no exception. Made in the same style as many creameries in France or Italy, this six-pack of cultured butter has more depth and flavor than the typical sweet cream varieties available here. Some very lucky person is going to really enjoy their next bagel.
Fly By Jing's Chengdu Crunch sauce is not your ordinary condiment. Packed with unique flavors, premium ingredients, and versatility, it's perfect for anyone who loves good food and enjoys spicing things up. Give the gift of culinary excitement — to yourself or a friend — with this special sauce.
