Food Tips

31 foodie-focused and decor gifts for the host

By: Canadian Living

Whether the host or hostess is known for their impressive culinary skills and knowledge or perfectly curated collection of home decor goodies, we've pulled together a collection of our favourite gifts for the leader of the soiree.

Class up any home bar with this bold single-malt whisky made by two lads in the Yukon.

Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky, $95, twobrewerswhisky.com.

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This handmade soy wax candle boasts a warm and spicy scent reminiscent of Christmas, making it perfect to light over the holidays.

BrandIron Sweet Balsam Scented Candle, $30, etsy.com.

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This smoky and slightly spicy snack from Alberta is perfect to take with you when travelling or enjoy as an afternoon pick-me-up (with a pint of beer). Brazen Jerky Co.

Cowboy BBQ Beef Jerky, $6, brazenjerky.com.

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A cozy throw blanket in a cottage-ready plaid print will give any sitting space a warm winter feel.

Soft Plaid Throw Blanket, $68 US, anthropologie.com.

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Encourage at-home Taco Tuesdays with this taco toppings platter.

Mud Pie Taco Bar Set, $58, indigo.ca.

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Every wine lover knows the importance of a good wine glass—and ones by Riedel are as good as they get.

Vinum Cabernet Sauvignon /Merlot Wine Glasses (set of 2), $64, thebay.com.

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For the cocktail lover, try this gin from B.C. Butterfly pea blossom elevates the classic juniper-infused spirit, giving it a distinct indigo hue.

Empress 1908 Gin, $50, empressgin.com.

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Give the gift of ambiance with these sleek gold candlestick holders.

3-Piece Roundabout Taper Candle Holder Set, $60, cb2.com.

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Fresh from the Prairies, this raw white honey is luxuriously smooth and creamy. It's best enjoyed by the spoonful or spread on sourdough toast.

Wendell Estate Honey Creamed Raw Prairie Honey, $29, wendellestate.ca.

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Shopping for a baker? Try these sprinkles that are made in Ontario. Shades of blue, turquoise and silver make novel toppings for Christmas cookies and cakes.

Sweetapolita Tinseltown Sprinkles, $29, sweetapolitashop.com.

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A treat for chocolate purists, this crumbly cookie-like bar is made of cacao nibs and organic cane-sugar crystals.

Soma Chocolatemaker Old School Dark Chocolate Bar, $11, somachocolate.com.

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The Italian-food lover (or anyone for that matter) on your list will absolutely adore Jamie Oliver's latest cookbook featuring a mix of simple everyday dishes, slow-cooking meals and familiar classics.

Jamie Cooks Italy, $42, chapters.indigo.ca.

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A gilded tray makes a stunning accent on a coffee table and offers a beautiful display for serving tea, coffee or cocktails.

Fishs Eddy Gilded Café Mirror Tray, $41 US, westelm.com.

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While some prefer to give wine whenever showing up for a holiday event, a spirit is a little unexpected, but often welcome. This rose-tinted gin from the Niagara region of Ontario is not only aromatic and tasty, but also looks good on a bar cart.

Levenswater Spring 34 Gin, $50, levenswater.com.

Spoil your host with this responsibly sourced delicacy—caviar—for blinis, devilled eggs, oysters and latkes. To be enjoyed with Champagne.

Acadian Sturgeon and Caviar Acadian Gold Caviar, $75 each, acadian-sturgeon.com.

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With a gold trim, this vase will stun on the table, no matter how attention-grabbing the blooms are.

Large Glass Vase, $30, hm.com.

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Cold weather and hot chocolate are a perfect match, so a good quality chocolate mix—like Cacao 70s classic blend—makes a failproof gift. Take it up to the next level by gifting it with Homemade Marshmallows.

Cacao 70 Hot Chocolate Powder, $17, cacao70.com.

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Surprise a friend with a live Nova Scotia lobster, along with bibs, a lobster cracker, forks and a butter warmer.

Lobster service, from $80, yourlobsterpot.ca.

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These tapered French rolling pins are handmade from flame birch and polished with sunflower oil for a smooth finish.

French rolling pins, $60 to $70, cattailswoodwork.etsy.com.

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Pancakes and waffles won’t know what hit them! Harvested from centuries-old maples in the Gaspé Peninsula, this organic syrup boasts a robust flavour.

Escuminac Late HarvestMaple Syrup, $11.25, escuminac.com.

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Breakfast time just got a little cozier with these plaid placemats. They're begging to be on the table when serving stacks of pancakes.

Cabin Plaid Placemat, $8 each, indigo.ca.

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Extracted from Trinity Bay, this finishing salt is in a class of its own.

Newfoundland salt company Sea Salt, $20, newfoundlandsaltcompany.com.

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A bookshelf, side table, or console will be a touch trendier with this acrylic picture frame.

Acrylic Photo Frame, $28, zarahome.com.

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Juicing citrus just became more enjoyable with this gorgeous porcelain reamer that’s too beautiful to hide in a cupboard.

Porcelain juicer, $70, ateliermake.com.

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This savoury blend of garlic, ground mustard and cracked peppercorns will up anyone’s grill game.

Frontiersman Trading Co. High Plains Steak Spice, $8 each, frontiersmentrading.co.

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Napkins are always needed when entertaining. They'll love the fabric (hello instant class!) of these and will appreciate that they're machine washable.

Stockholm Cafe Cocktail Napkin Mixed Set, $30 USD, minted.com.

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You can't go wrong with a bottle of red. This Reserva Privada cab-sauv is elegant, sophisticated, and devilishly delicious. The secret? Delicately sourced grapes from Maipo Valley appellation, making it the premium choice for any gift.

Casillero del Diablo, Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon, $18.90, lcbo.com.

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Get to know your guests a little bit better with a card game that will spark some truly fun (and even thought-provoking) dinner conversation.

Do You Remember? Card Game, $12, drakegeneralstore.ca.

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Have a host who loves the Netflix show called "Salt Fat Acid Heat"? It's based on the bestselling book by Chef Samin Nosrat who posits that all good meals consist of these four elements—and you can master them to become your own best home cook.

Salt Fat Acid Head: Mastering The Elements of Good Cooking (Simon & Schuster) by Samin Nosrat, $29, amazon.ca.

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