2019 Gift Guide: Foodie Edition

Do you know a foodie? Are you struggling to find the perfect gift for them? You’re in luck!

This is a rundown of some of the best (and most unique) gifts for the foodie(s) in your life. Think of it as food for thought. Literally.

Once upon a time (well, in the 1980s), the term “foodie” was coined by a writer in an article for New York Magazine. At first, it had something of a pejorative meaning: foodies were considered snobbish or elitist. Thankfully, times have changed and being a foodie is no longer a bad thing.

And if you think being a foodie is just about food, think again. These are people who are passionate about all of the accouterments of cooking and eating, from ingredients to utensils, cookware to tableware, and even the clothes they wear to the art they hang up in their homes!

Good Food, Served Well

Contrary to popular opinion, foodies are not food snobs. At heart, they believe that food should be viewed as an experience, as a way to bond, and as a topic of conversation.

All of that means that even the humblest foods, such as chips and dips, can be elevated to foodie status with, say, an elegantly playful tray forged out of metal. You can even get chips and dips trays that feature football or baseball themes. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect gift to bring over for the Superbowl or World Series Championship?

Beautiful gifts made from metal aren’t just for foodies, of course; what about the “drinkies”? OK, that’s not really a word, but whatever you call someone who waxes lyrical about the peatiness of that whiskey or the citrus notes of that craft beer, you can find something fun like a metal coaster that reminds them to “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry.” And a gift like that pairs perfectly with a chardonnay or pinot noir!

Some foodies, however, are more about making a statement than celebrating a touchdown. And if you want your gift to also make a statement, consider buying some environmentally-friendly tableware. A bamboo serving dish or palm leaf bowl isn’t just good for the planet, it’s a true conversation piece.

Something That Will Bug Them – In A Good Way!

What your foodie friends or relatives no doubt love to do is explore brand-new ingredient combinations or try unusual dishes. How about cricket protein bars? Yes, crickets, the insects. This has been a rising trend, given that crickets are protein-packed and a sustainable food source – making it good for you AND the environment!

Your gift recipient will be excited to tuck in, or at least nibble on, bars made from cricket flour combined with chocolate or peanut butter or fruit. If crickets aren’t your thing, you’ll also find food options featuring ants, worms, hornet larvae, and even scorpions! May we suggest you wash those bugs down with something a little more conventional: a fine cup of coffee, perhaps, or a refreshing glass of iced tea?

The Art Of Food And Food As Art

A discerning foodie – and, let’s face it, pretty much every foodie is discerning – will most likely avoid ready-made foods from the supermarket; they will instead make their own dishes from scratch. Whether it’s pie crusts or tortillas or pasta, they will swear homemade is always better. You’ll have to taste their pies or tacos or fettuccine alfredo to find out if they’re right. That said, gifting something like an upscale pasta-making machine or a hammered copper pot is always going to go down well – and you have an excuse to help them “try it out”!

If you’re looking for a gift that will be a permanent reminder of your friend or loved one’s devotion to food, look no further. Give them the gift of art and not just any piece but art that they make themselves. You get all the materials you need and a set of easy-to-follow instructions. It’s then up to the gift receiver to create a wonderful piece of art they can put in their living room or, more likely, their dining room.

You might also consider gifting food-themed clothing. After all, your foodie friends wear their passion for all things culinary on their sleeves metaphorically. Why not have them wear those passions on their sleeves literally? Choose a fun tee with a tongue-in-cheek saying about food or a pair of sneakers featuring a practically editable food pattern.

You might also consider gifting food-themed clothing. After all, your foodie friends wear their passion for all things culinary on their sleeves metaphorically. Why not have them wear those passions on their sleeves literally? Choose a fun tee with a tongue-in-cheek saying about food or a pair of sneakers featuring a practically editable food pattern.

Foodies Rejoice!

Hopefully you’ve found something here that will make the ideal gift for the foodie in your life. Or maybe you’re the foodie and discovered the perfect present to gift yourself. Either way, let’s wrap things up. It’s time for lunch and I’m starving!

A collaboration with Katie Tejada (McDaniel).