12 Practical (and Pretty) Kitchen Gifts

This air fryer is nothing short of genius. It’s designed with two baskets, so they can cook two different foods at different temperatures at once. That means they get the convenience of an air fryer to prepare both the main and the side — whether that’s chicken nuggets and fries, or salmon and Brussels sprouts — and everything will come out hot and crispy at the same time. Additional capabilities include air broiling, roasting, baking, reheating and dehydrating.

With proper barware, crafting cocktails for a dinner party or just that much-needed post-work martini becomes art. This sophisticated stainless steel set includes a 24-ounce shaker, a strainer and a double jigger. And when not being put to good use, the polished shaker is mighty nice to look at on their bar cart.

A Dutch oven from Le Creuset is renowned as a kitchen workhorse with thoroughbred good looks, thanks in part to the stunning array of 13 bold colors it comes in, which include Artichaut (a deep green) and Cerise (an ombré red). This is a display-on-the-cooktop gift any recipient will be proud to showcase. But it’s not all just good looks: This hefty enameled-cast-iron cookware is durable enough to last for years, handling much sautéing, braising, roasting and so much more along the way.

For an under-$50 gift that will surely impress, pick up these colorful highball glasses. While the beautiful textured beading has a vintage, cottagecore vibe, the design will easily harmonize with almost any style from traditional to modern. The set is available in 12 colors — we’re partial to the Amber, Sage and Cornflower Blue — but any of the lovely, translucent shades can single-handedly transform a tablescape.

Perfect for the person who loves to host barbecues or outdoor parties, this galvanized-metal beverage tub with a powder-coated black finish is a stylish step up from a cooler. The tub and the bottom tray are removable, so you can move them around the party as needed and easily refill them straight from the fridge or freezer. Afterward, the stand collapses for compact storage.

From ice cream and sorbet to gelato and milkshakes, the Creami can make it all happen with the press of a button. Your recipient will have a blast getting creative with flavors and mix-ins, making treats as indulgent or as healthy as they please. The possibilities are endless (and delicious!).

One surefire way to serve up a pizzeria-quality pie at home: Cook it on the grill to achieve a whole new level of crispy, chewy perfection. Even store-bought dough makes sumptuous pie with the high heat of the grill and this kit’s 12-inch pizza stone. Also included: a large pizza peel, which makes it easy to move the pie off the grill; and a pizza cutter, to slice it once it’s done.

Never underestimate the wow factor of a gorgeous cake stand. This beautiful footed wooden display will easily become the focal point of any tablescape. Its glass dome keeps desserts fresh and makes for a dramatic moment when the liftoff happens.

Feast your eyes upon the weeknight dinner savior: The Crock-Pot multi-cooker will ensure a hot meal is ready no matter what the day’s schedule has in store. This version offers a variety of handy functionality, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, browning, sautéing, boiling, simmering and steaming. The eight-quart size is great for feeding a family or large group.

Air fryers and pressure cookers get all the attention these days, but an electric griddle is a majorly underrated kitchen appliance. In particular, it makes a smart gift for families — because kids love pancakes, duh. And a batch of flapjacks (or a diner’s worth of fried eggs) can be made in one shot on this extra-large griddle — with minimal cleanup, thanks to the nonstick surface. The Tilt’nDrain also allows you to angle its cooking surface to drain off excess bacon or sausage grease neatly into the drip tray.

When you’re buying for someone just starting out on their own, you can’t go wrong with quality cookware. Even if they still haven’t mastered the challenging task of boiling water, these glossy Cuisinart stainless steel pots and pans will inspire them to find their inner professional chef. This set covers all the basics and then some, with everything from a Dutch oven and saucepans to a skillet and a steamer basket.

This may truly be the best thing since sliced bread. It can transform any boring sandwich into transcendent toasty, melty goodness; we also love it for making quesadillas without turning on the stove. Hot tip: The floating top plate can be locked in place so it hovers over food, perfect for melting cheese on top of a pizza, an open-faced sandwich or a crostini.