Shopping for a Foodie Mom
My family and I moved around a lot, from a small tropical island to a desert city, and the holiday traditions were just as transitory. One year we'd hang Christmas lights and the next we'd have our feet up on the coffee table in front of a TV.
But one thing always remained the same: the food. My mom would make steamed fish and roast duck and have a hot pot going. Food has always been a central and constant part of our lives that tied the years together.
This gift guide is for everyone whose moms are just as enthusiastic about food as mine is. Give her something she can appreciate year-round, or better yet, something she can eat! Show her how special she is.
Because it's true, your mother's cooking never really leaves you.
MORE: Don't forget to check out all our editor's gift guides! Maura (pregnancy/newborn), Esther (baby, toddler), Andie (baby, big kid), Laura (toddler, big kid), Cerentha (tween girl and boy), Anne-Marie (tween boys), Madeline (big kid, tween and teen), Olivia (teen) and Jenn (dad)
Spices
It’s rare going home for the holidays without the smell of herbs and spices greeting me at the door — cinnamon sticks, cardamom, cumin fennel and garlic are the usual culprits in my mom’s kitchen. Any foodie can appreciate some good spices. If you’re up for it you can try creating your own spice blend as a homemade gift. Or buy a set of both familiar and new spices to replenish mom’s staple supply while offering new flavors she can’t resist trying.
To buy: (1) The Spice Lab’s Spices of the World, $49.95; (2) McCormick Gourmet Spice Rack, $67.07; (3) Williams-Sonoma Pantry Gift Set, $89.95; (4) Mobile Foodie Survival Kit, $26
Images via The Spice Lab and Amazon
Measuring Spoon Set
What food-loving mom isn’t going to be swept off her feet with this cheesy (but a sweet kind of cheesy) “A Mother’s Love is Beyond Measure” set? The spoons are also embellished with various names for “mother” in different languages. Included in this original handmade gift are four pewter measuring spoons and a hanging rack.
To buy: Measuring Spoon Set, $75
Image via Uncommon Goods
Holiday-Inspired Hot Chocolate and a Warm Blanket
Going home for the holidays to visit my mom is never complete without some good ol’ hot chocolate. As a kid, I remember melting pieces of dark chocolate with my mom and pouring milk over it — stirring everything together would make beautiful dark swirls on white. This winter, share a cup of your favorite holiday-inspired hot cocoa with mom on the couch, recalling family memories under warm, comfy blankets (Aden + Anais has blankets for adults too — and the collection is fantastic).
To buy: (1) Aden + Anais Daydream Blankets, $125; (2) Spicy Maya Drinking Chocolate, $15.95; (3) Harry & David Hot Chocolate Gift Set With Mugs, $29.95; (4) Godiva Hot Cocoa Gift Set, $20;
Images via Aden + Anais, Chuao and Harry & David
Wine and Spirits Gift Basket
Surprise mom with a gift she can appreciate any day of the year: DRINKS. Whether it’s a beautiful pre-packaged gift basket or a DIY hand-selected one of her favorites, wino and foodie moms can appreciate something she can add to her cooking (who am I kidding? — my mom's really just going to drink it).
To buy: (1) Mel & Rose’s A Layered Cake Wine Basket, $99; (2) Martin Wine Cellar Around the World, $99.99; (3) Spirited Gourmet Gift Basket, $99.99 (upgradeable)
Images via Mel & Rose and Martin Wine Cellar
Egg Lover Necessities
Saying that eggs are my mom’s favorite ingredient is an understatement. She would incorporate eggs in soups, salads, sandwiches – you name it, she’s tried it. If your mom’s the same way, a mix of specialty cookware or egg-inspired décor would make egg_-cellent_ (I had to) gifts. But seriously, check out the beautiful diamond cut egg vase for her dining table or the cute sunny-side egg shaper to brighten her morning.
To buy: (1) Monkey Business Sunny-side Silicon Egg Shaper, $9.28; (2) Diamond Cut Egg Vase, $49; (3) Blue Rose Pottery Flowering Peacock Egg Cup Set, $24.50; (4) Paderno 20-centimeter Fry Pan With Egg Poacher, $139.99
Images via Dwell Studio, Amazon and Blue Rose Pottery
Travel Must-Haves
The only other thing my mom loves just as much as food is traveling (I mean, she’s been a travel agent since I was born). No matter where she travels, clever on-the-go gifts are practical and fun. The multitasking potential of fork-knife chopsticks, for example, is pretty mind-blowing – and who doesn’t want to have an espresso kit with them at all times? #yeswearecoffeefiends
To buy: (1) Lekue Twin Fork-Knife Chopsticks, $10; (2) Handpresso Outdoor Espresso Set, $195; (3) Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, $25.90
Images via Amazon
Dinner Lab Membership
As a member of Dinner Lab, mom will be invited to unique and new dining experiences that feature talented guest chefs from across the country. It’s intimate and interactive, with weekly events that can get any foodie’s culinary adventure senses tingling. Membership prices vary based on the city and tickets to dinner events are purchased separately.
To join: Dinner Lab membership, about $100-$200 per year
Images via Dinner Lab
Holiday Dinnerware Sets
My mom loves entertaining guests during the holidays. Sometimes our dining table would be packed with so many people around the hot pot that side tables would be brought in as extensions. A seasonal dinnerware set can bring the holidays to life both for mom and her guests. My personal favorite is the 12 Days of Christmas plates – each plate is unique yet adds to the same beloved holiday carol.
To buy: (1) Chalkboard Charger DIY Holiday Plates, $30; (2) Williams-Sonoma 12 Days of Christmas Salad/Dessert Plates, $119.95; (3) Le Creuset Cherry-colored 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, $219.99; (4) Peanuts Holiday Scenes Plate Collection, $29.42
Images via Williams-Sonoma, Le Creuset and Etsy
Pure Black Knives
My mom always said choosing the right knife is one of the most important decisions I would make – the right one will last you a long time. Stelton’s pure black knives are truly cutting edge. They’re elegant, functional and easy to clean. Forged from stainless steel, the knives morph blade and handle for beautiful cuts. I know she’ll love these new additions in her kitchen.
To buy: (1) Stelton Pure Santoku Knife, $99.99; (2) Stelton Pure Black Chef’s Knife Large, $119.93; (3) Stelton Pure Utility Knife, $52.12; (4) Stelton Pure Black Bread Knife, $82.58
Images via Stelton
Monthly Subscription Boxes
For a gift that just keeps giving, sign mom up for a monthly subscription box — because I mean, what’s better than food sent to you automatically? There are various subscription boxes out there that foodies can appreciate, from gluten-free selections to artisan picks to gourmet desserts, right to mom’s door.
To buy: (1) Nature Box, varies; (2) Treatsie, $15/month; (3) Knoshbox, $30/month; (4) Orange Glad, $20/month; (5) Taste Guru, varies
images via Nature Box, Treatsie, Knoshbox
Gifts for Me!
I’m a huge literary dork – and the only gifts I love more than books are gifts inspired by them. Bookish trend setters would appreciate a good handbag transformed from an actual book or an infinity scarf with printed quotes. Another great option would be gifts for the home. For one, I love floating book shelves; they’re space savers and are more than just wall decorations. You also can’t go wrong with a personalized storybook pillow that casts the person as the heroine of the story (plus it’s super soft and huggable). Or you can just gift an entire book – but in poster form. Yep, these posters are designed with a whole book printed on a single sheet, with some pretty good graphics on them too.
To buy: (1) Personalized Storybook Pillow, $120;(2) Author Conan Doyle Book Handbag, £60 (ships to US); (3) Umbra Conceal Floating Book Shelf, $12.99; (4) The Little Prince Scarf, $40; (5) Matilda Book on One Page Poster, £39.99 (ships to US)
Images via Uncommon Goods, The Literary Gift Company and Amazon
