‘Tis the Season for those of us who still find Gift Cards a little too impersonal to find presents for our nearest and dearest. I don’t share Gift Guides every year because I like to encourage people to shop local as much as possible, but I’ve been brainstorming this idea for a while and finally got a chance to flush it out. So this year I present to you my guides of excellent gifts for those who share my same passion for (or are looking to expand their skillset in) DIYing, Cooking, and Crafting. For each list I’m skipping the basics that anyone who has tipped a foot into one of these hobbies probably already has purchased (say for example even a beginner DIYer most likely has an electric drill in their toolbox) and instead giving you some of my favorite tools that get a lot of use AND have made my hobbies much easier + more enjoyable. More importantly – I made these lists with the intention that they can be a reference guide for ANYONE looking to add some valuable pieces to their tool chest at any time of the year.

Gifts for the DIYer

1. Bluetooth Noise Canceling Headphones – These work great with or without the Bluetooth feature on
2. Wet/Dry Shop Vac – Not only handy for fast clean-up but you can also hook the hose up to certain tools to collect saw-dust
3. Handy Roller Paint Cup – So great for small paint jobs especially for projects that require a ladder
4. Kreg Pocket Hole Jig – Many DIYers may already have a Kreg Jig but this upgraded model is so much easier to use than the smaller models.
5. Foldable Mobile Miter Saw Stand – I see a lot of DIYers using their Miter Saw on the ground and I want to recommend one of these foldable stands so badly! They save your back and fold away for easy storage.
6. Magnetic Stud Finder – This cheap little thing works way better than any electronic version I’ve ever tried.
7. Speed Square – At must have on pretty much every single project
8. Tape Measurer – Every DIYer needs another tape measurer…trust me
9. Laser Distance Measurer – One of the best investments I have ever made! I cannot count how many times I’ve been asked about mine on a job site
10. Retractable Cord Reel – This plugs into the ceiling outlet that powers my garage door opener so I can use my larger power tools anywhere in my garage
11. Sawzill – Not usually the first power tool someone adds to their collection but one that is super useful for demo
12. Stoggles – I have a real problem finding glasses that don’t hurt my head but these safety googles fit super comfy
13. Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide – These guides work super well with my cordless circular saw to cut down large pieces of plywood
14. Gator Micro Sander – Great for trim and detail work
15. Small Angled Brush – Just like the tape measurer – any DIYer always needs another angled paint brush
16. Rolling Multi-Tier Toolbox – Not only do I use mine for DIY projects I take on outside my home, I’ve used it to transport supplies for so many school activities + to help carry heavy materials or supplies when they’re too difficult to pick up on my own.

Gifts for the Home Cook

1. Food Processor – The most useful appliance in my kitchen is hands down is my Food Processor. You can use it to shred cheese, make pastry dough, blend sauces/salsas/dips, and of course chop, mince, and shred vegetables. I keep a second bowl on hand too for my super busy days in the kitchen.
2. Half-Sheet Pans – Stock up on them in a few different sizes to cover all your oven needs
3. Cookie Scoop – I’ve recently gotten super into making drop cookies and this perfect portioned scoop keeps them all the same size
4. Tiered Cooling Rack – Great for bulk bakes + Folds up for easy storage
5. Mesh Strainers – Draining pasta, sifting dry goods, straining soups – multiple sizes do so many different jobs
6. Kitchen Scale – I try to use mine whenever a baking recipe calls for exact measurements and it has made a huge difference
7. Micro Zester – Not only good for citrus zest but also for grating garlic and cheese super fine
8. Geometry Kitchen Towels – These come in tons of fun patterns + are super versatile and easy to clean
9. Rice Cooker – This tiny rice cooker has served us so well for years
10. Citrus Juicer – I use a lot of citrus in both baking and cooking so my juicer get a ton work
11. Handheld Electric Mixer – We all love a Kitchen Aid stand mixer but I love also having a handheld mixer for small jobs
12. Steel Tongs – If I was gonna suggest one addition to a kitchen above all others it would be a collection of Steel Tongs
13. Food Mill – It might not seem like you’d get a lot of use out of one of these but if you love making mashed potatoes or silky smooth soups it ca be a game changer
14. Stainless Steel Skillets – This is a bit of a splurge but if you’re ready to update your cookware a stainless steel skillet is a great place to start your collection
15. Salad Spinner – A must have for all of the veggies that we get during the summer
16. Breading Trays – I love breaded chicken cutlets – but hate making them – so anything that makes that job easier I’m all about
17. Multiple Sized Whisks – I would at least recommend two larger whisks (one for wet ingredients and one for dry ingredients) and a small whisk for small jobs

Gifts for the Crafter

1. Staple Gun – I am convinced that staples are the most under-rated but most versatile tool
2. Slice Mini Cutter – This is a product line I absolutely love — the blades are ceramic so they’re safer to use and the handles are so much more comfortable than regular box cutters
3. Hot Glue Gun – Some other options to consider are cordless glue guns or ones with adjustable temperatures
4. Fabric Scissors and Fabric Shears – Buy a nice pair of fabric scissors — make sure they are ONLY used for fabric — be a happier crafter
5. Guillotine Paper Cutter – I bought a guillotine when I made my own wedding invitations and it is still one of the best, and most used, investments I have ever made
6. Acrylic Paint Collection – Stock your craft toolbox with a collection of basic acrylic pants and just replace them when they run out
7. Nice X-ACTO Knife – Look for one with a comfort handle and make sure to also stock up on spare blades so you’re never stuck using a dull one
8. Cutting Mat – Along with my Guillotine the cutting mat I bought for making invitations has been invaluable for some many projects
9. Rolling Storage Cart – Or any kind of storage container where you can keep your tools easily accessible. I like the stacked types because they save space.
10. Spray Tent – Larger tents are available for DIY projects but smaller ones are great for spray paint or for spray adhesives
11. Mini Plier Set – Great for crafts and electrical projects
12. Thermal Label Maker – My newest obsession for making custom labels for gifts and treat baskets
13. Heat Gun – Useful for embossing but also for melting adhesive backings
14. Lightbox – I have awful handwriting but I am a great at tracing
15. Sharpie Set – Not only for drawing – I mostly use my sharpie set for labeling and for color matching nails/staples/screws