Holiday Gift Guide for People Who Love Food & Travel

The holiday season is here! Now we can all painstakingly search for the perfect gift for someone so they can put it in the back of their closet and never use it. I’m by no means a gift-giving expert, but thought I could put together a gift guide for people for foodies and travelers. You know these people. Their Instagram feeds make you drool on the regular, and their frequent travel leaves you cursing in your cubicle as you hate-watch their stories.

As traveling foodies ourselves, I put together a collection of items that we either use and love or wouldn’t at all mind receiving as a gift. (I do have a birthday coming up in December if any of you are feeling outwardly generous.)

Gift Ideas for Foodies

These are gifts for those who love to go out to eat, replicate elegant meals at home, and post pictures of their food. All of their social plans center around their eating schedule, and they’ve watched every season of Chef’s Table multiple times. They have discerning taste and cook to impress.

Electric Wine Opener – $19.99 – Whether you have a friend who drinks vintage Châteauneuf-du-Pape or rummages for $5 gems at Trader Joe’s, this gift will be a hit. We’ve had an electric wine opener for years now and love it.

Sous Vide – $99.99 – For your friend that is the aspiring home chef and not only wants to have perfectly cooked proteins, but also loves new toys, the sous vide has you covered.
Old Fashioned Cocktail Glasses – $24.80 – Nothing says “adult” like fancy glassware. These are a great gift for the wannabe mixologist or anyone who loves to host at their apartment or home.

A Serious Chef’s Knife – $67.50 – Anyone who has tried to up their game in the kitchen knows the value of a quality chef’s knife. This Japanese beauty is sharp AF but at a fraction of the price of other professional-level knife’s. This will make anyone want to be a better chef.

Expertly Curated Wines – $60 – Winc is a customizable wine club that provides curated wines based on anyone’s individual taste. Give the gift of unique wines for your hipster friend who wants to brag about labels that no one else has heard of before.
Nespresso Machine and Milk Frother – $99.99 – Any self-respecting foodie will tell you about their love of good coffee. Additionally, there is a unique pleasure in being able to make a great cup at home and to do so at a reasonable price. I’ve been a Nespresso fan for years now and can vouch for the quality and durability of their products.

Gift Ideas for Travelers

These gifts are for your friends that love to travel and seek out new adventures on the road. They have their vacation days planned out to the hour for the next two years. They’re looking to stay organized and comfortable on the road so they can make the most of every moment.

Portable Charger – $21.99 – This is for your friend who needs to make sure their battery doesn’t run out before they captured that perfect selfie atop Machu Picchu or in front of the Eiffel Tower. We use this charger ourselves and it has 2-3 full charges in it, a must-have when on the road.

Apple Airpods – $159 – Yes, there are plenty of cheaper bluetooth headphones out there but it is tough to beat the convenience and simplicity of Apple’s Airpods. They work very well and are ultra-portable. If you can swallow the price tag, this gift will be a big hit to whoever receives it. I bought a pair for work travel and have never looked back.

Silk Pillow Case – $85 – Give the gift of comfort to your nomadic friend with a silk pillow case. It can easily be packed up and a familiar feeling to rest one’s head when recovering from jet lag. Kacy also informs me that these pillow cases help keep hair smooth and shiny and reduce skin breakouts.
Travel Backpack – $119.95 – This backpack has tons of internal storage and all the pockets a traveler could possibly need to stay organized while on the go. It’s light enough for day trips, but can be stuffed to the brim for the long haul.

Duffel / Weekender Bag – $44.10 – There’s luggage that is functional and then there’s luggage that is fashionable. This duffel bag from Herschel is the rare combination of both. I got one last Christmas and have gotten tons of use out of it. Kacy also steals it from me whenever she goes on solo trips.