MORE GIFT IDEAS FOR THE HOME

Ninja “thirsti” Drink System

Still have room on the counter – or want to save a little money and still enjoy your flavoured, low to no calorie beverage? The name of the game here is versatility with options for carbonation level, but also being able to mix and match flavours –and their intensity. Our testing group enjoyed the flexibility for individual tastes, and flavour quality of the Ninja, but also being able to make drinks directly into your own or preferred glass or bottle. Importantly, flavour refills are about $22 for a three pack, and CO2 is about $125 for a two-pack. About $250 (includes CO2 and 8 flavour packs).

Staub Céramique Mug Set

Staub, from Alsace in the east of France, and their iconic cast iron cocottes, are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. To commemorate the occasion, they have brought out a six-piece Céramique coffee (or tea, or hot chocolate) mug set in six pastel macaron (macarons are everywhere in Alsace!) shades - light and dark pink, green and blue, all packaged up in a special gift box. As with all Staub products, they rarely stay in the kitchen, going from oven to table - and with these mugs, in the microwave and dishwasher too! $70-100.

Knifewear Chainmail Pan Scrubber

500 years after falling out of fashion for knights, chainmail is back – with another use! If you’re still looking for the ideal way to clean your cast-iron, stainless or carbon steel pans, then here’s the answer. This slinky, 20x15 cm piece of stainless-steel chain mail easily tackles the crusty burnt bits without damaging the pan’s surface or your seasoning, and works on glass, pizza stones, woks, and enamel too. And to clean it, run it under the tap or pop it in the dishwasher! $20 in store and at knifewear.com

Inversion Nitro Cocktails

Available for a limited time as gift packs with a “coupe” style glass, Inversion’s cocktails are a perfect balance of convenience, but also premium, premade cocktails. Meant to be chilled, shaken, and poured rather vigorously into the glass, with the Nitro foam giving it that shaken cocktail flavour and taste. We tried four flavours and liked them all – but had to give our nod to the Classic Margarita and the Classic Whisky Sour! (Gift pack has 2 cans and the glass, while the regular package features 4, 250mL cans). $20-25.

Bridgeland Distillery Holiday Gift Box Set

Those clever people at Bridgeland Distillery have taken all the hard work out of choosing a gift for the whisky, brandy, and cocktail, locavore drinkers in our lives and brought out a range of limited release boxed sets for the holiday season. Choose between the Whisky Gift Package or the Cocktail Gift Package with three, 200 mL bottles inside a snowy white gift box ($62-89), or the Italian, Berbon, and Brandy Gift packages with two, 375 mL bottles in a beautiful, branded wooden case ($74-97), bridgelanddistillery.com

Spend with Pennies - Everyday Comfort

A fine cookbook to share with anyone who loves rich, comforting foods and who may appreciate the value of a dollar in their home. Packed full of recipes suitable for weeknights and weekends, at the family table or even a meal for one or two, there are plenty of options with well written, easy to understand recipes, including some air fryer options, make ahead steps, and tips to change up some of the flavours or speed up mealtimes. $42 DK Publishing.