Making a list of presents to buy for your friends and loved ones? My 2020 Holiday Gift Guide is packed with all of my favorite things this year, including kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, and items that just plain bring me joy.
Yep—it’s that time of year again! While 2020 has been…well, not what any of us had imagined, we can still finish the year by giving presents that will put a smile on your loved ones’ faces. As loyal Nomsters know, every year I write up an epic holiday gift guide filled with items I purchase myself and 100% endorse. This isn’t a sponsored post and nothing on this list was given to me for free—so you can feel confident that if I don’t love it, you won’t see it here. In fact, there are a bunch of repeats on this list from previous years’ gift guides because I’ve found them to be time-tested and super reliable.
Most of your friends and family have been homebound during 2020, so the gifts on this list are meant to make their lives a little more enjoyable while they’re stuck with their quarantine crews!
Gifts for Cooks
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus
I’ve been an Instant Pot fan for YEARS, and I’ve used a ton of different models, but the one I buy myself and gift to all of my friends is the 6-quart Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus.
Here are just some of the reasons why this Instant Pot model is the best:
- Improved venting for quick pressure release!
- The inner pot has stay-cool handles to make it easier to remove!
- The inner pot has a flat bottom for better browning AND you can use it on other cooktops!
- An easier interface for programming the Instant Pot and a digital display!
No need to go up to an 8-quart size—if you need more capacity, buy two! Get an Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus (or more) by clicking here.
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Braiser
This sturdy and beautiful braiser is a workhorse in my kitchen. It’s a breeze to clean and the size is perfect for when I want to whip up a giant stir-fry. I own both the 3.5 quart and 2.25 quart braisers, but I tend to reach for the larger one more ’cause I love ending up with more leftovers. Buy one here.
Breville Smart Oven Air
This fantastic air fryer/countertop oven has been on my gift list for years because I love it so much! You can use it to bake/roast/dehydrate/air fry ALL THE THINGS. It’s not quite as easy to clean as my Phillips Air Fryer, but the size and versatility of the Breville Smart Oven Air make it a consistent winner in my book. Buy one here.
Thermapen Mk4
Cooking meat perfectly is not about fancy pan sauces or marinades, folks. It’s just a matter of salting it well and cooking it to the proper temperature. The quickest and most reliable way to check the temperature is with the undisputed thermometer champ: the Thermapen Mk4. Buy one here.
Chef’s Choice Trizor XV Select Electric Knife Sharpener
Your best tool in the kitchen is definitely a sharp knife—and this electric knife sharpener will keep all of your blades in tiptop shape. Buy one here.
Zulay Milk Frother
This inexpensive and effective milk frother is perfect for blending up Iced Matcha Lattes or quickly whisking collagen into your hot drinks. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer! Buy one here.
Whynter ICM-201SB Upright Automatic Ice Cream Maker
This summer, I decided to level up my ice cream game by purchasing this epic ice cream maker. It’s perfect for making creamy and delicious non-dairy and regular homemade ice cream! Buy one here.
Breville Oracle Espresso Maker
This gargantuan espresso machine is definitely a splurge, but no other item in our home makes our resident coffee aficionado (Henry) more happy on a daily basis. Buy one here.
The Original Phin Kit (Filter + Coffee)
Need a more budget-friendly but equally awesome coffee set? Our fabulous Operations Manager at Nom Nom Paleo World Headquarters, Angelina Hong, recommends this portable coffee kit that will ensure a perfect brew in 5 minutes. Bonus? No paper waste! Buy one here.
Diaspora Co. Single Origin Pragati Turmeric
Both Angelina and I love the electric orange turmeric sold by this woman-run spice company. Diaspora Co. puts money, equity, and power into the hands of Indian farmers, to disrupt, and decolonize an outdated commodity spice trading system. Without a doubt, they sell the best tasting and freshest turmeric available. I love using it in my Golden Milk, Golden Glow Smoothie and Instant Pot Atakilt Wat. Buy it (along with other amazing single origin spices) here.
Beautiful Tableware
Beautiful tableware makes me happy and I love collecting unique pieces—not just because we’re always shooting food photos for the blog and cookbooks, but also ’cause they’re gorgeous to look at and eat from! My favorite places to get plates, platters, and bowls are:
- Heath Ceramics: Handcrafted in California since 1948, everything Heath sell gives me emoji heart eyes.
- Miya Company: Love the blue and white plates in my food photos? I get them from this family business based in New Jersey—one of the premier importers of Japanese tableware and gifts.
- Notary Ceramics: I found this cute little shop while walking around the Sellwood neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, and fell in love with its beautiful minimalist handmade products.
- No Crumbs Left: Teri and her team have created a bunch of fun, durable, and whimsical statement pieces that will showcase all your kitchen creations.
Gifts For Working From Home
Apple AirPods Pro
With everyone working from home, these wireless Bluetooth earbuds are a lifesaver for every member of our family. The noise cancelling feature is a plus because we’re all working and learning in pretty tight quarters. Also, I love that you can customize the size of the earpieces so they stay put. Buy a pair here.
Miady LED Desk Lamp Eye-Caring Table Lamp
Wanna look good during your Zoom meetings? This inexpensive lamp has a flexible gooseneck, three color modes, and four levels of brightness. Buy one here.
Blueair Blue Pure 121 Air Purifier
This minimalist and effective air purifier was a lifesaver when the air quality on the West Coast was terrible due to the wildfires and we couldn’t open the windows or go outside. We now use ’em year-round in our larger living spaces because they help eliminate all the cooking smells and helps with our allergies. Buy one here.
Levoit Air Purifier
To keep the air smelling clean and fresh in our bedrooms, I put one of these small yet effective air purifiers in each one. Buy one here.
Gifts to get your zen on
The Comfy
Every single member of our family got his or her own Comfy last Christmas, and they’ve since become our unofficial uniform of 2020. It’s like a snuggly blanket and a hoodie had a baby! Buy one here.
Allbirds Wool Loungers
Allbirds Wool Loungers are Henry’s favorite indoor slippers, and Ollie loves his, too. They’re warm, lightweight, and machine washable! Get a pair here.
Nayoya Acupressure Mat
This prickly pad may look like a medieval torture device, but I freaking love it. I lie on the mat for about 20 minutes every night to relieve any stress or back pain. Buy one here.
FeetUp Inversion Chair
I’ve wanted to work on my handstand skills for ages, so that’s why I bought myself a FeetUp. This yoga chair makes inverted postures (headstands, shoulder stands, etc.) accessible to everyone. I flip upside down daily and feel great! Buy one here.
Star Wars The Child Animatronic Edition
Our family loves watching the Child (a.k.a. Baby Yoda) on Disney+’s The Mandalorian. This year, we started a little collection of Baby Yoda figures. This animatronic version may be our favorite yet BECAUSE IT MOVES AND MAKES COOING SOUNDS. Get one here.
Favorite Cookbooks
Nom Nom Paleo Cookbooks and iOs app!
I know I’m biased, but my favorite cookbooks of all time are the ones that Henry and I created. I love them SO MUCH, and we think it’ll help your whole family learn how to cook and find shortcuts to deliciousness!
Click on the links below to buy:
- Nom Nom Paleo: Food For Humans
- Ready or Not! 150+ Make-Ahead, Make-Over, and Make-Now recipes from Nom Nom Paleo
- ¡Estás Listo o No! (Spanish edition of Ready or Not!)
- Nom Nom Paleo iOS app* (a two-time Webby Award winner!)
*If you just got a new iPhone and the app is acting funky or missing recipes, simply delete the app from your device and download it again for free!
Yohanis Gebreyesus’s Ethiopia: Recipes and Traditions from the Horn of Africa
I love Ethiopian food, and this gorgeous cookbook covers it all. Bonus: lots of recipes are naturally paleo-friendly and gluten-free!
Nik Sharma’s The Flavor Equation: The Science of Great Cooking Explained in More Than 100 Essential Recipes
I love Nik’s second cookbook! It’s a beautifully photographed and accessible cookbook that sneakily delivers food science along with deliciousness.
Alex Snodgrass’s The Defined Dish: Whole30 Endorsed, Healthy and Wholesome Weeknight Recipes
Getting geared up for a January Whole30? Alex’s effortlessly amazing recipes and her new cookbook will keep it exciting and packed with flavor!
Need more gift ideas?
- Check out my Amazon shopping page here filled with all my favorite things!
- Previous holiday gift guides from 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016!
- Want to make DIY homemade edible gifts? Check out these tasty ideas!
Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2021).
I have both of your cookbooks and I love them I use them almost daily.
Because of you I bought my 6 quart instant pot in 2013! Loved it so much that I now have a three quart that has the yogurt button. I also have purchased a six-quart sous vide which I have not used yet. My whole family loves your magic mushroom powder… I have to make it by the quart jar ❣️. Thank you.