1. 9-Inch Lodge Cast Iron Skillet // 2. Savory Spice Shop Everyday Essentials Set // 3. Yeti 20-ounce Tumbler // 4. Bees Knees Salted Honey // 5. Capri Blue Volcano Candle // 6. Smart Lid // 7. Egyptian Magic // 8. Gurgle Pot // 9. Subscription to FMTV // 10. Slip Silk Pillowcase // 11. Thrive Market Extra Virgin Olive Oil // 12. Le Creuset 5 1/2 Qt. Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

It’s that time of year!

Let’s talk about gifts. My family has gone back and forth on whether or not we plan to exchange gifts. On one hand, we want to make the season about celebrating family and love and we don’t feel the need for gifts. On the other, the love and attention put into finding the perfect gift is such a wonderful feeling. It’s also fun to pamper friends and family with things they normally wouldn’t buy for themselves. I decided that from now on everyone’s getting a gift. It’s not just about the physical gift, it’s about the love put into finding it.

When it comes to giving gifts, I always try to find things related to the recipient’s interest. Or something so extravagant that they would never think to purchase it themselves (like the Slip silk pillowcase below!).

Use this guide if you need ideas for family or friends, or, send it to your significant other as a hint if you see something you like, because, hey, we all need ideas sometimes. Here are my current favorites ideas for the health nuts & wellness lovers in your life:

1. 9-Inch Lodge Cast Iron Skillet: around $25

Every healthy cook needs a cast-iron skillet. A well-seasoned cast-iron lasts for decades, and you can make just about anything in them. They’re also the gold-standard of healthy cookware as they’re non-reactive and don’t contain any harmful chemicals. Lodge is a solid high-quality brand that you can get at kitchen stores, Target, or Amazon. Not the best gift for people who don’t like to cook (obvi). The 12-inch is the perfect size and can do just about anything. GET IT HERE

2. Savory Spice Shop Everyday Essentials Set: around $30

I love the Savory Spice Shop and buy just about all of my spices from them. They grind everything fresh and don’t use any fillers or preservatives, so they’re products are not only healthier, but your food tastes way better, too. If your gift recipient doesn’t have a well-stocked spice cabinet, then I like this Everyday Essentials set. If your cook’s kitchen is well-stocked, then I would choose their curry set or one of their other fun specialty sets.

3. Yeti Insulated Mug: $30

Yeti mugs keep your hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours. I left my hot coffee in my car once around 9 am while running errands, and it was still hot in the middle of the afternoon! This is a great gift for just about anyone. They cost more than other mugs but don’t lose their ability to keep drinks hot or cold, so you don’t have to replace them often like you do with the generic varieties. They’re also dishwasher-safe. If you’re not sure what to get someone, this 20-ounce Yeti is a sure thing. Just watch out for the discontinued colors as sellers charge double. In-stock colors run about $30 and they come with a lid. GET IT HERE

4. Bees Knees Salted Honey: $14

Holy cow this stuff is good. Bushwick Kitchen infuses their high-quality honey with sea salt, and the combo of sweet and salty is a healthy foodie paradise. It “creates an addictive battle of sweet and salty.” Bees Knees Salted Honey is great on anything from goat cheese to fresh fruit. I just recently tried it and love it. Great for anyone who loves food and fancy things. I bought mine at a local boutique in Bozeman, but the company is based out of Brooklyn and you can shop online. It’s a great price because a little goes a long way.

5. Capri Blue Volcano Candle: $28 – $31

This candle is such a treat. The store Anthropologie almost always has one burning. I’ve found it to be the universal gift that everyone loves. Plus, it burns forever. I highly recommend it! Guys, if you’re ever in doubt of what to get your wife/girlfriend/mom/sister/significant other, this is a sure thing. I like to buy this candle on Nordstrom.com to ensure it’s not counterfeit and because they have free shipping (unfortunately sometimes people sell knock-offs of this kind of stuff on Amazon—just make sure you’re getting the real deal and not an imposter). GET IT HERE

6. Smart Lid: $29

I use this universal lid almost every day! Think every kitchen needs one of these. A few years ago I dropped a glass lid and it shattered like a windshield into thousands of pieces. I was bummed because I couldn’t find a good replacement until I found this lid on Amazon. It’s awesome. It can be used on any pot, and I also use it on my Lodge cast iron skillet (#1) instead of the heavy cast iron lid. It’s way lighter and doesn’t run the risk of rusting like cast iron (and easier to take care of—it goes in the dishwasher.) It has a clear top so you can see the food and a valve to let steam out. Such a great buy, especially for anyone who cooks a lot. GET IT HERE

7. Egyptian Magic: $25 – $35

I was shocked—in a good way—a few years ago when I saw this fancy-pants balm as Costco. Egyptian Magic has a cult following because of its ultra healing healthy ingredients like royal jelly, and it doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients. Royal jelly is the secretion (terrible word) of worker bees that feeds/nourishes the queen bee of a hive and it’s quite rare; it has extraordinary healing properties and has been used for centuries as a natural remedy. You can use Egyptian Magic on anything: face, lips, hands, body, nails, feet, on a scrape or rash, mild burns, or even eczema. It’s a wonderful texture and smells delightful. It’s quite expensive at natural food stores, but if you can find the two-pack at Costco it’s really reasonable. If you buy the Costco one I’d say take it out of the rather boring cardboard package and wrap it up pretty. It’s a great and wonderful gift for anyone who avoids toxic products.

8. Gurgle Pot:

These Gurgle Pot water pitchers are so fun and unique! I recently gave one to a couple who has one of the most well-stocked kitchens I’ve ever seen. I told them I didn’t think they had one, and before she opened it they giggled and said, “I can’t imagine there’s anything we don’t have.” They were so delightfully surprised and hadn’t ever seen one. This gift is especially great for couples or people who love to fish. Like the name implies, this water pitcher “gurgles” when water is poured from it due to its unique design. Plus, it’s just pretty. It can also be used as a vase and comes in a variety of colors. You can find one on their website or on Amazon.

9. Subscription to FMTV: $9.95 per month, cancel any time.

Wellness enthusiasts will love this online TV channel. It works like Netflix and can be accessed on any device (iPhone, smartphone, tablets, computers and smart TVs). The FMTV library is full of wellness documentaries, family-friendly films, on-demand yoga and meditation classes, and recipe series with loads of healthy delicious recipes [shameless plug for my TV show Elizabeth Eats, I know]. 😉 Everyone in my family is getting a subscription this year. Oops, hope they don’t read this. GET IT HERE

10. Slip Real Silk Pillowcase: $85

This 100% real silk Slip silk pillowcase is the ultimate luxury gift. The cotton in most pillowcases absorbs moisture from our skin and hair, which is a big contributor to dry skin and hair. I’ve had a Slip for about a year and notice a huge difference in the dryness of my skin and tangles in my hair compared to sleeping on a cotton pillowcase at hotels. If you don’t wash your hair every day, it also helps to preserve your blowdry—I’m kind of amazed at how much it prevents “bedhead.” Plus, it just feels so luxurious on your skin at night. It’s expensive, but it’s worth it! It’s even machine washable—I just wash on the gentle cycle with clothes then let it air dry. I like to buy mine on Nordstrom.com because they have free shipping and free returns if the person needs to exchange it (save the pre-paid return label and box). GET IT HERE

11. Thrive Market Extra Virgin Olive Oil: $15

Did you know that most olive oil sold in the US is cut with lesser quality oils that aren’t listed on the ingredients label? It’s a huge problem right now. Super sad but true. It’s really important to only buy your olive oil from sources you trust and know produce 100% real olive oil. I adore Thrive Market and their business model—it’s an online health food store that cuts out the middlemen to bring you affordable prices. This extra virgin olive oil is an incredible price for the quality you get. It has a fabulous light taste and is 100% the real deal. Plus, the tin bottle is beautiful and looks great on your kitchen counter. I’ve been using it for months and love it. Here’s my code to get 15% off your order when you become a member.

Thrive Market also donates memberships to low-income families when you become a member, which makes me love them even more. An annual membership is only $49 and would make a great gift itself.

12. Le Creuset 5 1/2 Qt. Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven: around $320

A Le Creuset dutch oven is the holy grail of a food lover’s kitchen. It’s definitely an investment piece and completely worth it. You can make soups, stocks, stews, chili, cake, bread, pasta, whole roasted chicken, and just about any other dish on the planet in one of these. They’re beautiful and can be taken right to the table to serve. I often give these as wedding gifts to close friends and family, and it makes a wonderful holiday gift if your loved one doesn’t have one yet. Look for the 5 1/2 quart size for the most versatility, the round one will have the number 26 on the bottom. The 5-quart oval one is great, too; it will have a 29 on the bottom. They come in just about any color you can think of and will last a lifetime. Their website has free shipping right now but shop around on Amazon and kitchen store like Williams Sonoma to find the best daily holiday deal. GET IT HERE

A few more ideas:

• Books are sort of a universal gift and rarely disappoint. A cookbook if they’re into food, a travel destination book if they have a trip planned or recent book you loved all make great gifts.
• A massage or a pedicure. Who doesn’t love a spa treatment?
• An experience. I love the idea of gifting experiences and memories. Here are some ideas to get you started:
  • – day trip or “staycation”
  • – wine tasting tour
  • – special theater tickets
  • – concert tickets
  • – weekend away to NYC (or somewhere warm in the winter!)
  • – sporting event tickets
  • – any spa treatments or spa days
  • – theme park/water park tickets
  • – movie theater passes or tickets
  • – day pass to a state park
  • – annual passes to the museum or zoo

Enjoy! And Merry Everything!