Taste is subjective, but we’re certain these tasteful gifts will appeal to even the pickiest people on your list. From handcrafted marshmallows made in Chicago to a gorgeous French press, there’s something for every baker, maker and taste-tester.
Housemade pastas More Top Picks Best Arch Support Insoles For Flat Feet
$7 each at Monteverde (1020 W. Madison St. 312-888-3041)
Take home pasta from “Top Chef” Sarah Grueneberg’s lauded West Loop restaurant—and we don’t mean leftovers. Carb-loving cooks will appreciate the quality and endless possibilities of these handmade noodles.
$26 at uncommongoods.com
Beyoncé may carry hot sauce in her bag, but your seasoned foodie friend will kick things up a notch with this stack of 13 portable spices including sea salt, cayenne, curry and dill.
Handmade copper mustache guard
$20 at thegrommet.com
Your mustached friends will appreciate—or at least get a giggle out of—the Whisker Dam, a copper device that fits over a pint glass, highball or mug to keep facial hair dry as they drink.
$7.95 per pack at xomarshmallow.com
With flavors such as red wine, champagne, lavender-honey and tipsy gingerbread, these Chicago-made marshmallows are tasty stocking stuffers or stand-alone gifts for the sweet tooth in your life.
$90.50 at mouth.com
This curated gift pack is stuffed with date-night essentials such as red wine, black truffle popcorn, a passion fruit caramel bar and more. Just add Netflix.
Moet & Chandon’s Chicago City Bottle
$69.99 at Binny’s, Plum Market and Garfield’s Beverage Warehouse locations
Ideal for that bottle-popping, Chicago-loving friend or family member, this emblazoned bottle of rosé is luxe to say the least.
$79.95 at crateandbarrel.com
Tailgaters and camping aficionados, rejoice. This combination charcoal and electric grill makes perfecting the art of the Chicago hot dog on the go a breeze.
$55.95 at planetbox.com
If your friend’s New Year’s resolution is to pack lunch more often, this flashy new toy should get them off on the right foot with a sleek bento box-style design offering delicious (and organized) possibilities.
$9 at thegrommet.com
(Sorry in advance.) In queso emergency, the gouda ones on your list will want to wrap their favorite cheeses in two-ply paper for maximum freshness and grate results.
$120 at yielddesign.co
Upgrade any coffee game with this swoon-worthy French press. Form meets function to brew up the perfect batch for any caffeine-loving household.
$119.99 at juiceman.com
Help a friend tackle their New Year’s resolutions with this three-in-one juicer. They can craft their favorite smoothies in the blender, drink their nutrients with the juice extractor and figure out what happens when life gives you a bunch of lemons with the citrus juicer.
$55 at lordandtaylor.com
Elevate your buddy’s bar cart with this 1920s-inspired decanter. The fanciful gold typography, heavy stopper and retro design are guaranteed to help celebrate the best of times. Flapper dress not included.
Vintage Streamline Kitchen Timer More Top Picks Best Embossing Machines
$25 at kikkerland.com
The perfect blend of funk and practicality, this 55-minute timer is a timeless addition to any kitchen.
$18 at josephjoseph.com
This pastry mat really takes the cake, er, pie. It rolls up tight for space-saving storage, and its non-slip silicone surface, which also features a size guide, makes cleanup easy.
$59.95 at clickandgrow.com
The Smart Herb Garden will give new meaning to locally sourced produce. Delight any green thumb going through winter withdrawals or enable any brown thumb who wants a garden with zero effort. Just plug in, fill up and let it go.
$7.99 at amazon.com
Ideal for the home chef who has every single gadget and gizmo, this brilliant tool strips and measures herbs for no-fuss prep.
$11 each at thefound.com
Wear your heart, er, taco, on your sleeve with these sleek, affordable enamel pins.
My Ice Cream & Netflix Binge spoon
$15 at pakamonk.etsy.com
Reward your favorite couch potato with a personalized spoon reserved only for ice cream-fueled marathons of “Luke Cage.”
$24-$34 at foodiedice.com
Perfect for the indecisive foodie on your list, the set features a protein, cooking method, grain/carb, herb, bonus ingredient and four seasonal veggie dice designed to help shake up any cooking routine.
$50 at piebox.com
Your pie-master friend can transfer their work safely in this super-cute artisan box. Bonus points for the sleek leather strap that makes it easy to tote around town.
$19.99 at amazon.com
Anyone can embrace their inner Jack Frost with this insulated clear ice system. Freeze two seamless spheres—a clear, slow-melting option that won’t dilute drinks and another that’s made for shaking and stirring.
$24.99 at chefn.com
Turn zucchini, carrots, beets and more into three types of noodles with the twist of a hand. The compact design can pump out ribbons, small julienne and large julienne noodles, and the metal prongs grip food to cut down on waste.
$14.99-$39.99 at epicureancs.com
Create an Instagram-worthy spread that looks like it’s been styled by a professional. Available in three sizes, these boards are knife-friendly, dishwasher-safe and heat-resistant.
$25 at farmsteady.com
Confirm that sweet dreams are made of cheese with this fresh Italian-style kit. Craft mozzarella, mascarpone, ricotta and burrata at home—all you need is milk.
Beer tasting set More Top Picks Best Under Desk Ellipticals For Focus
$29.95 at crateandbarrel.com
When life gives you a fridge full of mismatched beer, make a beer flight.
$24.99 at uncommongoods.com
Fact: Butter makes everything better. This hands-on kit allows your giftee to churn up a batch of customized seasoned butter (think rosemary-garlic and basil-sweet bell pepper).