Kitchen gift-giving made easy

Match your gift to their personality

HOLIDAY | Metro Creative

Those names on your holiday gift list are more than just people – they’re personalities. This simple shift in perspective can go a long way to help narrow down gift selections. Become a great gift giver by paying attention to the broader personality traits of your gift receivers.

The All-Season Foodie

During the holiday season, everyone becomes some kind of foodie. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s, there is simply so much food to enjoy. However, your list of names may contain a genuine year-round gourmet – the All-Season Foodie. This kind of foodie probably already owns, uses and loves quality gourmet nonstick cookware, so consider a specialty pot or pan to round out a collection. The Anolon Nouvelle Copper 8-Quart Covered Stockpot is an ideal choice, starting with hard-anodized aluminum construction that is twice as hard as stainless steel.

The All-Season Foodie on your list will utilize this large-volume stockpot for homemade stocks, broths and soups, of course. She or he can also take advantage of its size and cooking performance to prepare delicious mid-winter braises and summer seafood stews. From boiling water for soup or pasta, to simmering succulent soups, stews and more, a top-quality stockpot lets any home chef cook more creatively.

The Total Tea Lover

Next to water, tea is the world’s most popular beverage. In the United States it runs second to coffee, but tea consumption has been on the rise here for several years running, and that trend is expected to continue. Odds are therefore good that your gift list includes more than a few tea drinkers – and probably a Total Tea Lover or two. Steeped or iced, Earl Grey or herbal, tea is ideal for them, and so is the tearelated present.

The Total Tea Lover enjoys hot tea at home, at work and anywhere else a fresh cup can be made and savored. Find the Total Tea Lover the perfect stocking stuffer with the compact, portable Teas in a Pod Tea Infuser from BonJour. Crafted from heat-safe stainless steel and silicone, in a variety of fun, friendly colors, the reusable, pod-shaped infuser holds enough loose-leaf tea or tea blend. The silicone cap pops off and on for easy use and care.

The Easygoing Entertainer

Like guests, hosts and hostesses come in a wide range of types, from the Mealtime Micromanager to the Panicking Party-Giver. That’s why everyone loves the Easygoing Entertainer. From initial invitation to final farewell, he or she puts guests at ease, making them feel cared-for and comfortable. You’re sure to stay on their guest list with a thoughtful gift, so utilize your profiling skills for something special.

The Easygoing Entertainer always appreciates an extra serving bowl or platter, especially one with versatility and personality to spare. Consider going beyond basic white or metallics with a solid, sturdy piece that sets a tabletop, buffet or sideboard in style. Rachael Ray epitomizes the Easygoing Entertainer, and brings that stylish sense home with her Cucina Serveware and Dinnerware collection. Durably constructed, with warm, inviting rustic-modern touches, the collection includes beautiful serving bowls, platters and dinnerware. The relaxed palette of single-color ceramic glazes and handpainted antique-look details give each piece plenty of character, with the microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe convenience you’d expect from Rachael Ray.

The Convenience Cook

In just a few generations, the microwave evolved from new-fangled “science oven” to an appliance found in more than 90 percent of U.S. households. With time, space and energy at a premium in modern life, microwaves come in handy for everything from heating water and melting butter to making popcorn and even complete meals.

The frequent-microwaver on your list might be considered a Convenience Cook – someone who wants to save kitchen time and effort yet still loves food and flavor. Luckily, kitchenware has caught up to this ever-growing need for convenience, with numerous new tools, utensils and cookware made especially for microwave use.

One great product that belongs in every kitchen is the SilverStone Microwave Pressure Cooker. This ingenious cooker combines the principles of an old-fashioned stovetop pressure cooker with microwavesafe design. Ideal for stews, soups and braises, the pressure cooker is versatile enough to make delicious dishes for any meal and any occasion, and comes with a booklet of easy-to-follow recipes.

The Solution Seeker

Closely related to the cook seeking convenience is the one in constant search of solutions. The Solution Seeker on your list may be easy to spot – look for crossword and Sudoku puzzles on their smartphone and similar clues. The solution-seeking home cook craves something more than just another gadget to add to the utensil drawer, however.

One gift-giving solution for this kind of cook is SilverStone CXi Ceramic Nonstick Cookware. On the cookware exteriors, bold, fresh color provides a refreshing splash of on-trend kitchen style, with color-matching handles rubberized for wrist and hand comfort. Each pot and pan in this collection features innovative, bright-white ceramic nonstick for effortless food release with easy cleanup. Practiced or beginner, the resultsoriented cook is sure to love this colorful, high-performing nonstick cookware.

If the Solution Seeker also loves resultsoriented baking, or if there’s simply a baker on your list in need of his or her own gift, SilverStone Hybrid Ceramic Nonstick Bakeware provides one answer. SilverStone Bakeware features cutting-edge ceramic nonstick for beautiful baked good release with quick and easy cleaning. Like its coordinating cookware, this carbon steel bakeware also comes in bright, on-trend contemporary colors to give the kitchen a fresh, friendly vibe.

The Dessert Deliverer

On the subject of baking, check your list for a special type of personality profile: the Dessert Deliverer. They may love baking from scratch or mix, simply have a roster of favorite bakeries whose goodies they love to select and share. Whatever the occasion – weekday or holiday, casual or special – they inevitably bring a delicious baked treat.

Help the Dessert Deliverer carry those tasty baked goods to their ultimate destination with a stylish Cake Boss Cake Carrier. The vintage-styled carriers feature fun, bakeshop-era designs against a creamcolored background, and the lids sport a sturdy, collapsible red handle. Each carrier holds a standard, 9-inch round double-layer cake or any dessert of similar size and shape, and the clever side latches firmly lock the lid closed – and keep tempted fingers away!