As fun and fabulous as the holidays are, they can also be extremely stressful — especially when you're trying to find the perfect gift idea for everyone on your list. The holidays are the time to show you care, and we care about a lot of people. Before we know it, our nice list is expanding beyond family, friends and coworkers to include everyone from our doorman to our hair stylist. The only trouble with caring so much is having a gift idea for everyone on the list — oh, and the finite amount of dollars in our wallets.
That's why, every year sees the return of Foodism's annual holiday gift guide, full of foodie finds for everyone. Whether you're looking for a blow-the-budget gift for that special someone or on the hunt for little treats to spread the love this holiday season, we've got you covered. Of course, you could always buy them a beautiful bottle or a gift card to one of the best restaurants in the city, but if you're looking for something a little less obvious, you'll find it here. Our foodie gift ideas come in all shapes, sizes and price points, because no one should wake up in January feeling broke and burnt out.
This year, skip the overcrowded shopping malls. Stir up a festive cocktail recipe or crack a holiday bottle and shop these gifts online from the cozy comfort of your PJs. Or head to shows where you can find these unique gifts and support local makers like at the Kimpton Saint George Hotel’s annual Holiday Market Sip ‘N’ Shop or the One of a Kind Show. Take deep breaths, start your gift shopping early and try to savour the season. It's the most magical time of year, after all. Happy shopping!
Gift ideas for the home cook
Philips 800 Automatic Espresso Machine with Milk Frother
In association with Best Buy, $399.99 until Nov 30 (reg. $949.99)
Never make a burnt pot of coffee again. Exclusively at Best Buy, this espresso maker brews your cup at the touch of a button. Add your coffee, then use the menu to choose your strength and size. The attached milk frother will upgrade your espresso to a silky latte or cappuccino. It makes a great gift for anyone on your list — including yourself. Keep an eye out for Black Friday pricing to snag a deal.
Make their baking dreams come true with this flashy red stand mixer. With 10 speeds and a large stainless steel mixing bowl, it can whip up dough for up to six dozen cookies, three loaves of bread or six pounds of mashed potatoes in a single batch. It comes with a flat beater, a dough hook and a six-wire whip, plus you can always buy them more attachments like a pasta roller next year.
The iconic French-Belgian cookware maker is giving dinner tables a festive spin with this cute-as-a-button Noël Collection. Choose from the whimsical cast iron Dutch oven, with gold star knob, or for less sticker shock, the small (but perfectly formed) coccette for $80.
This gorgeous box is equipped with everything you need to make three of Italy's most iconic pasta dishes. Just make sure you get an invite to dinner when the receiver cracks 'er open.
Celebrated Portland writer, Kerry Newberry, and James Beard Award-winning author Danielle Centoni, have teamed up to celebrate the best of Oregon. Oregon Food and Wine shines a light on the state’s most influential wine professionals with 80 delicious recipes.
At only 5 mg of THC per bottle, this duo of lightly dosed THC-infused Truffle Oil and Truffle Hot Sauce is great for the cannabis curious as well as the pros who are looking to get creative in the kitchen.
Kitchen appliances don't get much more iconic than Smeg, the Italian maker of envy-inducing 50s-style kettles, coffee makers and fridges. This sleek two-slice toaster will give your breakfast the extra pop you're looking for in 2024.
The organizing obsessed will love this set from Zwilling. Sleek containers make once messy cupboards completely uniform while the smart vacuum pump sucks out air to lock in freshness and flavour.
You don't have to go to India — or even to Ottawa's Thali restaurant — for a taste of chef Joe Thottungal's Kerala cuisine. Bring the punchy South Indian flavours into your kitchen with this collection of colourful recipes.
The Kanel Voyager Collection takes your tastebuds on a trip around the world with eight curated spice blends and sea salts. From Quebec Maple Smoked Salt to Hawaiian ‘Ono Poké, the flavours will inspire creativity in the kitchen.
We were already huge fans of Kilne's Everything Pan, so we didn't need much convincing to get their new Everything Pot. Made of the same non-stick, non-toxic coating, this aims be the most versatile tool in the kitchen.
Proving that there's more to the Okanagan than great wine, this collection of more than 70 signature recipes from the Okanagan Valley’s best chefs, restaurants and bakeries will inspire the home cook on your list.
Gift ideas for the host with the most
Toronto's very own beverage expert, Evelyn Chick has combined some of her best everyday cocktail recipes for her first book. Gift a copy to the would-be bartender in your circle.
Skip the cheesy drug store cards this year and go for a handmade one that's cute and punny. Bonus: Seeded Memories greeting cards use handmade, eco-friendly seed paper. Once it reaches the end of its life (is January too soon to throw out Christmas cards?), plant the card and wildflowers will bloom. Find them at booth D-53 during the One of a Kind Show.
Santa's not the only one who gets cookies. Order a Holiday Mix Pack in a half or full dozen and share flavours like Candy Cane Shortbread, Terry’s Chocolate Orange, and Cranberry Bliss with loved ones. (Or not?)
Keep non-alcoholic options on hand for guests who choose not to imbibe. Flavours like Lime Margarita and Peach Bellini are sure to impress refined palates, plus the cans are vegan and gluten-free.
What's better than a spiked coffee on Christmas morning? Sipping it from an adorably festive mug, of course. Find Scarlet Oak Ceramics' handmade pottery treasures at the One of a Kind Show from November 23 to December 3 at booth D-43.
This meaty, full-bodied red is a shining example of the immensely popular California cabernet. Tom Gore Cabernet Sauvignon is full of toasty and nutty notes along with fig, herbs and honey. It pairs well with roast beef, steak, ribs and even turkey.
Playing host can come with a whole host of challenges. Make their life a little easier with this party pack of all-natural cold pressed mixers. The set comes with ready-made mojitos, strawberry daiquiris and margaritas. Just add alcohol — or don't — and enjoy.
Butter them up this holiday season with a handmade, one-of-a-kind butter dish from Love Bite Ceramics. Shop the collection at the One of a Kind Show from November 23 to December 3 at booth D-10.
Stocking stuffer gift ideas
Galerie Au Chocolat’s holiday collection is full of sweet treats that won't break the bank. The Tree Ornament and Star Ornament each come with three bite-sized chocolates inside — a perfect little gift to show you care.
Make the holidays pop with this festive kettle corn from Eatable. It's coated with Belgian white chocolate and sprinkled with candy cane and peppermint-infused sugar crystals that actually pop.
Not only are these snowman ornaments super cute, they're also made from up-cycled materials like sweaters and blankets. The ornaments come in other adorable shapes like bunny rabbits and birds, too. Find them at the One of a Kind Show at booth O-20.
These adorable mini bottles of sparkling rosé are perfectly stocking stuffer-sized for pure bubbly fun on Christmas morning. This Niagara wine is clean and crisp with fruity notes of strawberry, raspberry, peach and citrus.
Gift ideas to turn on the mistletoe magic
Cozying up by the outdoor fireplace sipping a hot drink on a weekend away? Yes please. Southampton's Beach Motel offers a serene getaway with some of the best sunsets we've ever seen. Grab a gift card to make their day or take them on a mini vacay.
Whisk your sweetheart away to a luxurious boutique hotel in Stratford for a romantic winter getaway. Hotel Julie's nine different flats each come in a rich colour palate with marble accents. Full kitchens mean you never have to leave your cozy abode. Hubba hubba.
Our favourite natural wine purveyors are back with another liquid advent calendar. Each pack includes 11 bottles of wine and one sparkling cider to make your holidays merry and bright. In their words, "Think: string of pearls, caesar salad, well-fitted suit." Consider us sold.
This special occasion bottle is sure to make your sweetheart swoon. For over two decades, Ruffino Modus has continued to score more than 90 points amongst the world’s most discerning wine critics. In this Super Tuscan blend of sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon and merlot, notes of dark berries and blueberries are followed by a medium body with creamy tannins.
The Kimpton Saint George hotel and Culinary Adventure Co. just dropped the most exciting partnership of the year. When you stay overnight at the Kimpton Saint George, you can also sign up for an in-depth, food-packed tour of Toronto's most eclectic foodie neighbourhoods.
Anyone can send wine in a box, but Cavinona, part of the Terroni Group, has relationships with some of Italy's most exciting winemakers. The result is a monthly delivery of handpicked wine that crafts a unique story of lesser known varieties and regions. Plus, membership includes invitations to exclusive wine tasting events and face time with the makers themselves.
Gift ideas for the hard-to-buy-for
Take the guesswork out of gifting with Savorly's beautifully curated holiday-themed gift boxes. They're full of delicious treats, cooking ingredients and cute houseware items — and they ship across Canada and the U.S.
Iconic brunch spot Mildred's Temple Kitchen has packaged up three of their best-selling preserves in this gift set that's sure to sweeten the holidays. Apple Butter, Wild Blueberry Compote and Peach Lavender are perfect for pairing with biscuits or scones — and they sell those too.
With smoky and sweet notes of cherries and jam, this crowd-pleasing pinot noir is versatile enough to pair with the many flavours of a festive feast. Gift this Californian red to any wine-lover on your list.
Pilot Coffee is rolling out a limited edition Holiday Blend with notes of chocolate, cranberry and sweet cinnamon spice. Plus, they'll donate $1 from every 300g bag to Red Door Family Shelter, which supports families, refugees and women in need.
NaturSource's salad toppers were already foolproof hacks to turn our sad desk lunches into mouthwatering masterpieces. Their new product line, though, like spicy habanero maple praline almonds, aren't just delicious on lettuce leaves — they're bonafide snacking perfection on their own.
To be honest, we were never very good at arts and crafts in school, so this gingerbread house bundt pan comes in real handy. Instead of watching your sweet structures crumble into piles of cracked cookies and pools of icing, you can skip the architecture and bake the entire house as a cake.
