Holiday Gift Guide 2015 + A Giveaway

This time of year it seems like we are always needing “just one more gift!” My Holiday Gift Guide will help take the guess work out of shopping. Whether you are looking for a friend, a co-worker or a family member there is something on this list for just about everyone on your nice list! And, if you are anything like me, you will want to pick up one or two of these treats for yourself too!

Plus, be sure to leave a comment at the end of the post! It automatically enters you into the Holiday Gift Guide Give Away!!  The items up for grabs are from Golden Fig, Bittercube, Anagram Press and Short Stack Editions!

Happy shopping!

For Adding Style + Function To The Kitchen

Oxford Double Oven Mitts, $40.00
These oven mitts can be found in the Food52 Shop and are a must have for someone who is always in the kitchen. If the cook in your life is always reaching for a couple of kitchen towels to grab a dish out of the oven instead of a pot holder, they will love these. They cover the entire forearm, so no burns here! Plus they are so attractive that they will likely take a full time seat on a hook where all can see!

State of Minnesota Shaped Baking Dish, $79.99
These darling Minnesota shaped baking dishes are a perfect gift for the host or hostess in your life! As a native Minnesotan, I’m a fan of the Minnesota dish, although Corbé Ceramics makes does indeed make these bakers for each of the other 50 nifty states, so, if you have your eye on a different location you can get it, but I will warn you, Corbé’s website states that they can no longer guarantee shipping in time for Christmas. If you live in the Twin Cities and want to snatch a Minnesota or Wisconsin Baker up for the holidays you can get them at The Golden Fig on Grand Ave. Trust me when I tell you, you will go in for the baker but you will walk out with so much more! Store owner, Laurie Crowell, has an eye for delicious and special treats, visiting her store is always a true pleasure!

Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor, $39.95
I cannot praise the Mini-Prep Food Processor enough.  There aren’t many reasonable priced gadgets out there that are SO worth it, but this is one of them!  Even for those folks in your life who hesitate when it comes to too much gadgetery in the kitchen, they will love you for giving them this kitchen helper. I primarily use it for:  Mincing Garlic, Mincing Ginger, Grinding Nuts and Grating Cheese. It is small. It takes up very little space. And you can cruise through mincing and chopping jobs in seconds. Give this to the cook in your world, they will not mind making cupboard space for this guy!

Epicurean Non-Stick Cutting Boards, $24.99 – $39.99
These non-slip cutting boards made by Epicurean are worth EVERY penny! They come in several sizes. They can be put through the dish washer.  They are thin and easy to store. They are made in the USA and are made from environmentally conscious materials. Not only do I use mine for a multitude of chopping jobs, but I use them for serving off of too! Don’t think twice about buying this as a gift, they will thank you!

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
1: B.T. McElrath Salty Dog Chocolate Bar; 2: Oxford Double Oven Mitts; 3: State of MN Baking Dish;
4: Moser Mixing Bowls; 5: Anagram Press Bird Ornaments; 6: Frog Hollow Fruit Clubs

For Inspiring The Cook

Short Stack Editions Cookbooks, $14.00
These little cookbooks are such a treasure!  It is almost impossible to choose which one to buy! Each book focuses on one ingredient and that ingredient is brought to life through the culinary talents of one chef per book. There are so many ways to add these books to your friends’ and family’s cookbook collections. You can order one to give as a gift, you can give the gift of a subscription so that as the books are published throughout the year the recipient will receive it as soon as it comes out. Or, if you want to really splurge, you can buy all of the editions as a set. Short Stack Editions are each hand bound and put together with a tremendous amount of love and detail, the cook in your life will be delighted to add any of these to their cookbook library.

Smashing Plates: Greek Flavors Redefined, $21.00
Smashing Plates has quickly become one of my favorite cookbooks to reach for. Growing up eating Greek Food all of the time I am blown away with how Maria Ella takes these Greek Recipe concepts and flips them into unique dishes that still embrace the flavors of food I grew up with! The book is filled with lovely photos and many lessons about the Greek Pantry which readers will soak up. The book not only makes me want to cook out of it, but it feels like a bit of a vacation at the same time.  This is a wonderful gift for the adventurous cook in your life, or for your Greek friend who might be game to try some twists on the old classics.

For Brightening Up The Table

Set of Four Mixed Berry Recycled Hemp & Organic Cotton Napkins, $30.00
These printed napkins by Tina Produce instantly cheer up anyone’s kitchen or dining table! A sweet hostess gift, these are 100% unique! Tina, the designer, is originally from Minnesota but now calls California’s Bay Area home. Her fresh prints playfully highlight the ingredients from Northern California Farmers Markets and a breath of fresh air when placed on the table. Taking her produce theme seriously, Tina packages her napkins – as well as flour sack towels and baby onsies – in cute green pint containers, like a package of berries! These are an adorable gift.

Mosser Glass Mixing Bowls, $66.00
These bowls are perfect for the person in your life who loves their kitchen to have a touch of vintage inspiration.  These nesting bowls are so pretty that they can be left out all of the time, which is great cause they are at arms length when a mixing bowl or serving bowl is needed. These can be used for everything from beating batter, to serving side dishes and salads. Made in the United States, Mosser‘s quality and style is coveted by many, and will become a favorite piece for whoever is lucky enough to receive it.

Gurgle Pot, $40.00
These fish shaped water pitchers are delightful! As the water pours out water bubbles collect in the tail and make gurgling sounds. These are both humorous and handy! They are fun to pour out of, look great on display and can also be used to hold flowers. This is a wonderful gift for a friend who likes to collect housewares with a twist. It’s the piece they never knew they wanted and will be so glad when they have it!

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
1: Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor; 2: Thymes Fraser Fir Reed Diffuser; 3: Bittercube Bitters;
4: Zoku Iced Coffee Maker; 5: Lifefactory Wine Glasses; 6: Epicurean Non-Stick Cutting Boards

For Decking Out The Bar

Lifefactory Wine Glasses, $39.99 – $49.99
For the wine lover in your world who is always bringing wine into the backyard, on a picnic, or at a campground, these sturdy stemless wine glasses from Lifefactory are terrific. With the BPA/BPS Free rubber wrapped around the glass it’s difficult to drop these guys! So, your friends will be able to sit back in their pontoon boat next summer, or on a blanket out in a park and have no fear of their bevie slipping out of their hands!

Bittercube Bitters, $54.00
For the home mixologist in your life, Bittercube Bitters are a super cool gift! A drop or two of these finely crafted bitters will give cocktails made at a home that certain somethin’ somethin’ like those that you enjoy out at the bar! You can buy the variety pack or buy them individually. They are great stocking stuffers or an excellent addition to a gift package along with a bottle of your friends favorite alcohol and a fancy mixer!

For Stocking The Pantry

BT McElrath Salty Dog Chocolate Bar, $6.00
I never tire of this delicious chocolate treat from BT McElrath. This chocolate bar is 70% Dark Chocolate with Toffee Pieces and Sea Salt. It’s a little sweet, a little salty and a little crunchy and totally addictive. If you just want to bring a little something to a party as a treat, your host will love you if you show up with these. If the holidays stress you out and you need a little pick-me-up every now and then they also come individually wrapped portions as well. I suggest stashing a few in purse for unexpected holiday “emergencies!”

Marie Belle Hot Chocolate, $12.00 – $26.00
Marie Belle‘s Hot Chocolates are dreamy! They come in several different flavors, all of which are winners in my book. You can buy them by the tin – which is beautiful – or in individual packets. This is a gorgeous addition to a stocking, as a hostess gift, or even for your child’s teacher. And be sure to order a little extra for yourself!!

Frog Hollow Fruit Clubs, $160/month and up
Give the gift of a fruit club!  Oh my goodness, will your loved ones be in for a treat. I cannot say enough good things about the delicious fruit that comes from Northern California’s Frog Hollow Farm. They promise the product to be in your home 48 hours after picking, it just can’t get much fresher than this. I am time and time again blown away by their amazing stone fruits, both the peaches and apricots are to die for. This is not just any other “fruit-of-the-month” club, whoever receives this as a gift will be in fruit heaven. And if a fruit club is a little too spendy, they offer many other treats on their website, including tasty dried fruits, jams and olive oils.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
1: Alaina Marie Bait Bag Wristlet; 2: Marie Belle Hot Chocolate; 3: Vermont Country Store Peanuts Nightlight;
4: Gurgle Pot; 5: Short Stack Editions; 6: Tina Produce Cloth Napkins

For The Trendsetter

Bait Bag Wristlets, Wallets and Clutches By Alaina Marie. $55 – $95
I love these bags that are inspired by Maine’s fishing industry and made out of the same material as fisherman’s bait bags! Not only are these cute and sturdy, but they are a talking piece wherever they go. The wallet size or the wristlet are perfect gifts for a girlfriend. I am especially smitten with  the black and gold pattern, it is perfect for a night out on the town, and a great addition to a holiday cocktailing outfit.

Zoku Iced Coffee Maker, $29.99
I love iced coffee, but rarely do I think far enough in advance to chill it down over night. But, with some cool technology Zoku has created a travel mug that chills your hot coffee in under five minutes! What a fun gift for the coffee lover in your life! At under $30 it’s a totally cool gift!

For The Holiday Fanatic

Peanuts Christmas Nightlight, $19.95
{Item Is Sold Out Til 2016} Christmas isn’t Christmas without Charlie Brown – in my opinion.  Memories of watching the Peanuts gang sing “Hark The Harold Angels Sing,” around that little tree always makes me smile, and makes me feel nostalgic about the holidays. This nightlight from The Vermont Country Store is so sweet, whoever is lucky enough to receive it will immediately be sent on a walk down memory lane, reminiscing about childhood Christmases. Plus, once you start shopping on The Vermont Country Store’s website you will be enticed by many more throwback items which the shop has to offer!

Anagram Press Bird Ornaments, $50.00
Artist Chandler O’Leary creates some of my favorite artwork around!  Whether I am admiring one of her larger sized prints, or mailing out one of her letterpress cards, I am always brimming with joy regardless. This holiday season Ms. O’Leary has taken her popular winter bird images and turned them into ornaments to decorate the tree with. These bird ornaments are perfect for the person who loves to sit at the window and look out at the snow and the birds bouncing and chirping about. Ms. O’Leary captures the peaceful nature of birds in the winter impeccably, and , I dare say one could leave these out all year long and never tire of them!

Thymes Frasier Fir Reed Diffuser, $50.00
Thymes creates one of the best Frasier Fir aromas out there. It smells so real that you will look around the room to see where the Christmas Tree forest is hidden! This Frasier Fir Reed Diffuser is indeed a perfect hostess gift, and I have a feeling you will end up wanting one for yourself too. The diffuser is sold out on the Thymes website, but there are many other Frasier Fir scented items that they offer that are awesome too!!

Apple Crisp WoodWick Candle, $18.99 – $24.99
These candles from The Woods are so cool! If you are a city dweller who loves the sound of a crackling fire but have no fire place these are for you! All you have to do is a light your candle, make a cup of hot cocoa and sit back with your favorite holiday special and you will be transported to sitting in front of a fireplace. The unique wick creates the sound of a real fire. The candles come in many different shapes, sizes and scents, but my favorite is the Apple Crisp. It smells like the holidays.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2015 Give Away!

In the spirit of giving I want to thank you for reading A Pinch of Lemon and I want to give you presents!! I have been fortunate to partner with several of the companies listed in the gift guide and have presents to give away. In order to be eligible to win a gift from the gift guide I need you to follow a couple of steps:

Leave a comment in the comments section below. THIS is how you will be entered into the drawing for the give away.

You have from Friday, December 4, 2015 until Friday, December 11, 2015 to put your name into the drawing, submissions close at Midnight on Saturday, December 12.

Enter your email address when requested for it, this is how I will contact you if you win!

Winners will be contacted via email and shared on Social Media the week of December 14, 2015.

Last request, please tell a friend about A Pinch of Lemon! This is of course not necessary to win, but it would be super awesome to have your help in introducing more readers to the blog! You can spread the word by sharing my Facebook Page, Tweeting, Instagramming, Pinning, and of course, a good old fashioned email works too!

I am SO excited to have this opportunity to give three of you a cool gift! Thank you for being part of my first holiday giveaway and for supporting me during my first year as a blogger!

Good Luck and Happy Holidays!

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Additional Terms and Conditions For Holiday Gift Guide Give Away

One comment per person – multiple entries will be discarded
Four winners will be chosen at random and notified via email the week of December 14, 2015
Winners will have two business days to claim their prizes, via email
Void where prohibited