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My top favorite tools I use in my own kitchen and top gift ideas that I'm grabbing for my husband, kids, and parents, and everyone on my list.

For the Everyday Cook:

Tastes Better From Scratch Cookbook – This cookbook is what I’ve deemed, “The Best of The Best” of our Easy Family Recipes. It’s filled with my personal favorite recipes as well as fan favorites and several brand new recipes. Look no further for the perfect gift for families, newlyweds, and anyone that loves food! Pair with this handy cookbook stand for a complete gift that everyone will love!

Zwilling Frying Pan Set – I love giving an upgrade gift! Especially for something you use every day, like pans – a good set makes such a difference. Zwilling is one of our sponsors, and I was so excited about it because I’ve been cooking with their pans for years. You can’t beat the quality!

Staub Spatula Spoon – This is my favorite spoon, and I use it for everything! It’s useful for cooking, and pretty enough to use as a serving spoon too.

Boos Block Cutting Board– My in laws gave this to me for my birthday years ago, and it’s the most used and loved tool in my kitchen! You can even get them personalized. Don’t forget the oil, to go with it.

Overnight Oats Jars: I love prepping these the night before so breakfast is already done when the morning gets busy.

Additional Favorites

Cookbooks I’m Loving:

  • Cook Asian by CJ Eats – CJ Eats’ first cookbook, and such a fun one for anyone who loves Asian food. It’s packed with approachable recipes that make your favorite dishes feel totally doable at home.
  • Salt Fat Acid Heat – A MUST-HAVE for anyone who loves to cook. Instead of just giving you recipes, it teaches you the “why” behind good cooking, which makes you a better cook across the board.

Gift Guide for Women:

Tastes Better From Scratch gift guide featuring everyday favorites for her, including women's clothing, sneakers, jeans, handbags, jewelry, makeup, skincare, hair care products, and beauty tools.

Italian Leather Crossbody Bag – This little bag looks way more expensive than it is. The leather is beautiful, the size is just right, and it’s one of those classic pieces that goes with everything. Such a good gift!

Microfiber Hair Towel – I’m officially a hair-towel convert. It’s so much lighter than wrapping a giant bath towel around my head, and it absorbs a crazy amount of water. One of those things you don’t think you need until you have one.

The Only Coat: I bought this last year and basically lived in it all winter. It’s made from the softest wool-cashmere blend and is SO warm without feeling bulky. Plus, it comes in several really pretty colors.

BaubleBar Necklace: I love pieces like this that I can throw on with a simple outfit and instantly feel a little more put together.

My FAV Jeans – One of those gifts I’d be genuinely excited to unwrap because I wear mine all the time.

Men’s Gift Guide:

Tastes Better From Scratch gift guide featuring everyday favorites for him, including men's clothing, sneakers, a watch, wallet, LEGO car, Blackstone griddle, YETI cooler, coffee mug, and outdoor gear.

Blackstone: We love any excuse to use our Blackstone, especially for easy dinners when everyone can hang out outside while we cook. FAV Accessories (Burger Press, Grill Rescue BBQ Brush)

Everyday Shoes: These are such an easy everyday shoe and the kind he can wear with jeans, shorts, or pretty much anything.

Cooler: One of those gifts that ends up getting used all the time for road trips, beach days, sports, and weekends away.

My Husbands Favorite Watch: This is my husband’s favorite watch and the one I see him wearing over and over again.

Lego Set: A fun gift for the guy who still appreciates a good LEGO build.

Gift Guide for Kids:

Tastes Better From Scratch gift guide featuring items from Lauren’s kids’ wish lists, including toys, games, crafts, beauty products, a toy guitar, laser tag set, and outdoor activities.

Razor Crazy Cart: My kids love this so much we ended up buying two, which probably tells you everything you need to know.

VEVOR Popcorn Machine – Movie night just got an upgrade, thanks to our sponsor! Like everything else, popcorn tastes better from scratch, and this machine makes it so easy. My kids love it, and it’s a great gift for anyone who loves to host.

MP3 Player: My kids don’t have phones, but they love listening to music, so I love that you can upload Spotify to this and let them listen on their own.

Squishies: Everyone is obsessed with squishies right now, and these are some of my kids’ favorites. I like to keep a few on hand to attach to birthday gifts too!

Bedazzler: My daughter and her friends spend hours with this thing. They’ve decorated her jewelry box, bags, skincare products, you name it, even Dad’s shaving cream. 😂

Yard Games: This is our family’s favorite yard game, and we regularly have tournaments with it. It has a permanent spot in our yard, and I love that pretty much any age can play.

Christmas Gifts for Grandparents:

Tastes Better From Scratch gift guide featuring gifts grandparents will actually love, including a digital picture frame, personalized ornament, puzzle table, robot vacuum, heated slippers, foot massager, weighted blanket, card game, and cozy accessories.

Throw Blanket – A really cozy gift they can keep on the couch and reach for all winter long when they’re watching TV or reading.

Cozy Scarf – I love gifts like this because they feel thoughtful but are still practical enough to wear all season.

Foot Massager with Heat – This feels like one of those gifts they may not think to buy for themselves but will end up using all the time.

Skylight Frame – I love this idea for grandparents because you can keep sending new family photos straight to the frame

Their New Favorite Game Night Pick – Such a fun card game to pull out when everyone’s together, and an easy gift they’ll actually use.

Unique Travel Gifts:

Tastes Better From Scratch gift guide featuring gifts for the traveler, including luggage, packing cubes, travel bags, a portable fan, neck pillow, travel blanket, headphones, wrinkle remover, and other travel essentials.

CALPAK Luka Duffel – One of my favorite travel bags! It has tons of pockets, a separate shoe compartment, and even slides right onto your suitcase handle. It’s the perfect size for a weekend trip or as a carry-on.

Packing Cubes That Compress – These zip down tight and make such a difference when I’m trying to fit everything into one suitcase. They keep everything organized and somehow make packing feel way less chaotic.

AWAY Rolling Suitcase – I’ve had my AWAY suitcase for years and I’m still obsessed with it. It rolls so smoothly, holds a ton, and has held up incredibly well through all of our trips.

Travel Pants – These were super popular on Amazon for a reason. They’re comfortable enough for a long travel day but still look put together, which is basically all I want in an airport outfit.

AirFly Bluetooth Adapter – Such a smart little travel gadget. It lets you connect your Bluetooth headphones to the airplane screen, so you can use the headphones you actually like instead of the ones they hand out.

I originally shared this recipe November 2021. Updated October 2022 and November 2023 and November 2024.

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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1 Comment
Mary follett
4 years ago

I am loving your cookbook and your posts! Thank you!