We Cooked, Baked, and Snacked Our Way Through the Year to Find the Foodie Gifts Worth Giving This Holiday Season

This monthly membership delivers a rotating trio of hand-cut artisan cheeses, each wrapped the day it ships for peak freshness. Every box includes tasting notes and pairing ideas, so it feels more like a guided cheese experience than just a simple delivery. I tried the Rare Cheese Club and loved the unique varieties (my favorite was the sweet, slightly citrusy Formatage Can Pujol). Whether you opt for the original lineup or the Rare Cheese Club, it’s a fun, flavorful gift that keeps the discoveries coming well into the new year.

Cooking confidence starts young. This subscription delivers monthly kitchen projects, tools, and recipes that teach real techniques to your youthful foodies. With themed kits that balance fun and skill building, it’s a gift that turns playtime into lifelong healthy habits. Editorial director Simone Scully tested this service, and aside from the fun add-ons her son enjoyed (like an apron and themed pin), she appreciates the overall message, noting that “it helped my son have a bit of a better understanding of the science of cooking, what goes into preparing food, and get an idea of what goes into making ‘healthy’ food.”

Cocreated with Martha Stewart, Marley Spoon focuses on balance, using nutritious, preportioned ingredients paired with recipes that help you build real cooking skills. Granted, it’s less about convenience and more about enjoying the process, with gourmet meals that teach you to get a little more creative in the kitchen. But what else would you expect from a company cocreated by the famed lifestyle maven? 

“I think Marley Spoon may appeal to busy individuals or families who value convenience or who like experimenting with new and diverse cuisines, such as Middle Eastern and Korean, because it offers you a variety of meal options,” says writer Lindsay Modglin, who tested and reviewed this service. Fewer takeout nights, more kitchen wins. As Stewart would say: “That’s a good thing.”

Thrive delivers organic staples, snacks, and pantry essentials at wholesale prices. Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or just label-conscious, it takes the guesswork out of healthy shopping — and shows up right at your door. When writer Brittany Vargas tested and reviewed this service, she was impressed by the ease with which she could have a variety of organic, nontoxic goods delivered to her home. “You’d certainly be hard-pressed to find this selection of pantry goods, organic meat, and wild-caught seafood alongside nontoxic toiletry and home items anywhere else,” she said.

This service rescues perfectly good “imperfect” produce and pantry goods, shipping them straight to your kitchen. It’s fresh, affordable, and reduces food waste — an eco-friendly way to eat better and feel good about it. Writer Mary Sauer tried this service and was impressed with both the company’s mission and the variety of organic foods on offer. “I was glad to opt for ‘imperfect’ foods if it meant less went to waste,” Sauer said.

Each box includes bake-from-frozen sourdoughs, pastas, and croissants made with slow-fermented dough and fresh ingredients. “I grew up in France, so bread (and good bread) was just part of every single meal we had. So when I moved home and bread not only looked different, but wasn’t as ever-present, I really missed it,” says Scully. “This subscription goes a long way toward bridging that gap for me.”

This curated box of regeneratively raised meats turns any backyard cookout into a mini masterclass in sourcing better protein. You’ll get the classics (think beef ribeyes and New York strip steaks) alongside more unexpected cuts like bison and venison. The venison was a standout for me: It was melt-in-your-mouth tender with none of the gaminess people worry about. It’s the perfect pick for the adventurous carnivore who wants to eat well and more sustainably.

A small-batch sauce brand founded by chefs, Sauz packs restaurant-level flavor into its bottles. I’m a big fan of the Summer Lemon Marinara (the lemon adds a wonderful brightness to the sauce) and the Hot Honey Marinara (for a bit of heat). It’s the next best thing to homemade, and the unique flavor combinations will have them turning up their noses at regular ol’ marinara in no time.

These high-protein, high-fiber noodles are what happens when comfort food gets a bit of a nutrition glow-up. Made from beans rather than refined flour, they bring serious staying power to pasta night, all while still playing nicely with marinara, pesto, or a garlicky olive oil sauce. They’re a thoughtful gift for someone who loves a big bowl of pasta but also appreciates a little extra protein and fiber on their plate.

Packed with pantry staples like artisanal pasta, premium olive oil, and high-quality sauces, this basket is basically an Italian pantry in a box. It’s the kind of gift that quietly stocks their shelves for cozy Sunday dinners and impromptu date nights, with components that actually live up to the gorgeous packaging. If your recipient has strong opinions about al dente pasta and good parmesan, this will absolutely speak their language. “This gift box is beautifully presented and authentically Italian, says health writer Olivia Campbell. “It has a nice mix of pastas, sauces, oil, and vinegar. I thought the addition of a basil growing kit was a really nice touch.” Another nice touch: for every gift box bought on the website, the brand donates a meal to the No Kid Hungry organization.

Cold-pressed and naturally high in monounsaturated fats, this trio brings versatility to the kitchen — perfect for roasting, sautéing, or finishing. Plus, the containers are pretty enough to leave out year-round. “The glass oil dispenser is my favorite part,” registered dietitian and writer Tori Martinet says. “It’s really gorgeous, and I love having it on my countertop in the kitchen.” Also, if you’d prefer to order the oil without the container, you can do that on Amazon.

This bold set includes spicy honey, gochujang sriracha, and maple syrup — everything you need to spice up breakfast or glaze a roast chicken. “The spicy honey is hands down my favorite because it goes well on pizza, with goat cheese, in sauces — it’s just kind of awesome,” says Scully. 

This fun-shaped pasta from Pastabilities turns any plate into a celebration of man’s best friend. Made with 100 percent durum wheat and all-natural vegetable powders, the shapes are playful, but the quality is serious. It’s an ideal little pantry upgrade for someone who adores their dog (or just thinks their pasta tastes better when it comes in a fun shape). “[M]y son did finish his whole bowl because he liked the animals,” Scully says. More of a cat person? Fear not, Pastabilities has you covered.

Freeze-dried strawberries dipped in white chocolate deliver a satisfying mix of crunch and creaminess. Writer Caitlin Beale was immediately charmed. “The taste of these white chocolate strawberries is amazing. It has the tartness of a real berry mixed with the sweetness of white chocolate — not overly sweet, but just right.” For those interested in sampling more international treats, Sakuraco also offers snack and candy subscription boxes.

This holiday classic layers dark and white chocolate with a sprinkle of crushed peppermint for a minty, satisfying crunch. Made in small batches, it’s the kind of treat that reminds you of your childhood. It’s simple, seasonal, and perfect and will fit great on your holiday dessert table.

This herbal blend leans soothing rather than sleepy, with a mix of herbs, fruits, and spices (like chamomile, cinnamon, and apple) that make winding down feel a little more intentional. It’s caffeine-free, beautifully packaged, and just special enough to replace their usual “whatever’s in the pantry” tea bag. “I'll be honest, I don't like chamomile tea usually,” says Scully. “It just doesn't taste good to me, which is a shame because I definitely know that it could help me sleep. This chamomile tea, though, is different. It's actually the first one I've liked because it has chamomile AND apple and spices, which make it fruitier and, to me, taste better.”

Rich, smooth, and sustainably sourced, this holiday blend delivers just the right balance of brightness and body. Its Fair Trade Certified beans also support small farming communities — a gift that warms the cup and the conscience. Wellness writer Catherine Brown especially likes Thanksgiving Coffee’s commitment to fair trade practices. “I also love how sincere the company seems about its conservation efforts, its commitment to fair trade, and how much money it donates to causes,” she says. “It would feel like a solid and thoughtful gift to give to someone.”

Made by veteran-owned Fire Department Coffee, this instant espresso is shockingly smooth and strong. It’s ideal for busy mornings or road trips, with enough caffeine to revive even the sleep-deprived. “Most instant coffee I’ve tried has a very distinctive ‘instant coffee’ taste, but this one doesn’t. It just tastes like a strong cup of coffee,” says registered dietitian SaVanna Shoemaker. “It also mixes very easily and makes a really smooth cup.”

This elegant set was made for people who want energy and ease in equal measure. Scully found the morning heirloom chai bold and spicy — a lively start to the day — while the evening Glow Chai winds things down with a smooth, subtly sweet finish. Packed with antioxidant-rich spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger, both blends feel like a good balance between energy and calm.

This handcrafted slate board turns snacks into a statement. I’ve had this version in red for years, and I love how the slightly uneven edges and ridges set it apart from your standard wooden or marble cheese boards. The best part is that you can write on it with chalk, making it a much easier way to label your cheeses.

Classic French design meets practical perfection. With adjustable grind settings and a smooth mechanism, these mills make seasoning precise and stylish. “They’re also beautiful,” says Scully, who tested these. “You can choose different colors and finishes to match your kitchen, too, which is a nice touch.” They’re built to last, just like the recipes you’ll keep reaching for. Bear in mind that you’ll need to buy the pepper and salt grinders separately, but that means you can mix and match the way we did.

This kit basically shows up ready to roll the opening credits. Expect upgraded popcorn, fun seasonings, and a mix of sweet-and-salty snacks that feel more “indie theater concession stand” than grocery-store aisle. I especially liked the oat milk chocolate peanut butter cups — those definitely didn’t last long. It’s the kind of box you open once and instantly wish you’d ordered two: one to gift, one to keep for your own double feature on the couch.

This cutting board from The Printed Gift transforms any meaningful handwritten note or recipe into a beautiful, usable piece of kitchen art. Upload a photo of your loved one’s handwriting and watch it become engraved onto a hardwood board, ready for serving or display. Prefer something a bit lighter? There’s also a dish towel version. “This is one of the nicest items I've received to test this holiday season,” Scully says. “The process was very easy: they just asked for a clear photo of the recipe in question and then send you a proof to make sure it looks the way you want. Then the item is created and sent to you.” Scully says the process was very quick, and there were no delays in getting the product to her. “In my case, I had sent some recipes my mom had written down — so this item became a way to remember her and her cooking (she died two years ago) and it's probably something I'll be gifting my sister this year.”

Part planner, part wellness tracker, this guided journal helps users track meals, hydration, and habits. Each page breaks down nutrition, mood, and activity in a way that actually feels doable, helping you spot patterns and small wins along the way. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to eat a little better, feel a little sharper, and maybe even remember to refill their water bottle once in awhile.