Well hello! It’s that time again! Yes, it’s time to spend lots of money on… stuff! The holidays are here and once again grocerylists.org is lending a caring, capitalistic hand by seeking out the coolest gifts this season for all the special people in your life. And if this doesn’t interest you then just go check out the newest lists added to the collection. For the hungry gadget freak4-slot Egg & Muffin Toaster | “Make delicious egg-and-muffin sandwiches at home in about four minutes with this multi-function toaster. The appliance can toast up to four slices of bread, English muffins, bagels, or croissants, while it simultaneously steam-poaches eggs and warms pre-cooked meat. It can also hard- or soft-boil up to eight eggs at a time thanks to the included egg basket. In addition to heating up pre-cooked meat, the two included meat trays can be used to heat slices of tomato or pineapple to accompany toast or a breakfast sandwich — the options are endless.” ($59.99) For the mustard gun ketchup fiendOversized Gun Condiment Dispenser | “Pull out the big guns at your next backyard barbeque and watch them all run… toward you! Who needs boring old squeeze tubes for ketchup and mustard when you could be applying your favorite condiments with this super fun oversized pistol.” Get it while you can — this item was out of stock on several other web sites. ($26.00) For the cork dorkElectric Wine-Bottle Opener | “When gathering with friends, it’s nice to be able to keep the wine flowing without having to retreat to the kitchen to open more bottles. This convenient, portable electric bottle opener can be kept close at hand, wherever the party ends up — in the living room, out on the back deck, or by the pool. The electric bottle opener offers a cordless design and enough power to effortlessly remove the cork from any bottle of wine in seconds. Even more, it can open up to 30 bottles on a single charge — simply attach it to any traditional wine bottle, push the button, and it takes care of the rest.” ($19.95) For the real cookMomofuku | “Chang, master restaurateur and chef, and Meehan, a New York Times food writer, join forces in this stellar collection of recipes from Chang’s restaurants—Momofuku, Ssäm Bar and Ko. Chang is a man possessed with a deep love of ramen and a clear passion for food. This book pays tribute to the humble noodle, which Chang has elevated to a near art form, and the wide array of cuisine he serves. Filled with 150 gorgeous, full-color photos and an engrossing narrative, this book is a treat for the eye, mind and palate… Be forewarned: Chang gears the cookbook to only the most experienced of cooks, with many dishes requiring several steps. Nevertheless, Chang presents a collection both stunning and engaging.” ($16.95) For the pathetic loserA Charlie Brown Christmas Tree | “Feeling a little minimalist this Christmas, get an exact replica of Charlie Brown’s Pathetic Christmas Tree immortalized in the famous holiday presentation. A pathetic tree deserves a pathetic picture. Perfect fit for small spaces, this 18″ tall pathetic tree can fit in just about anywhere with bendable wire branches, plastic needles, the classic criss-cross stand with one red ball decoration just like Charlie had! Remember that a pathetic tree doesn’t need any batteries, it doesn’t even have any lights!” ($16.95) For the brownie-noserBaker’s Edge Nonstick Edge Brownie Pan | “We think the best brownies have moist centers, a paper — thin crackly crust, and lots of chewy edges. If you agree, you’ll love the Edge Brownie Pan — it’s the only gourmet brownie pan that adds two chewy edges to every brownie! The award-winning design also improves baking performance by circulating heat evenly to the pan’s middle, where food typically takes longer to bake. The Edge Brownie Pan has a single baking chamber that allows brownie batter to settle evenly, and the 9×12″ size is a perfect fit for box mixes, as well as most recipes for 9×9″ and 9×13″ conventional pans. A durable nonstick coating makes it easy to clean, and the recessed handles are an easy grab when the pan is turned upside down.” ($34.95) For the ovenless pizza loverPizzazz Pizza Oven | “This 1,235-watt countertop oven makes pizza in about half the time required by a conventional oven. You don’t need to preheat it — it begins rotating and baking the moment you plug it in. There are independently controlled top and bottom heating elements, so all types (frozen or fresh) and sizes (7 to 12″) of pizza can be custom baked. With a rising-crust pizza, for example, you should run the lower heating element for 10-12 minutes before turning on the top element. For a crisper crust, bake the pizza with both heating elements, then finish it off with a few minutes of bottom-only heating. For extra cooking time on your toppings, leave the top element on a little longer. A timer with automatic shutoff lets you set cooking times precisely, and a cooking-time guide for various pizza types is printed on the pizza maker. For safety, the appliance shuts off automatically if it overheats.” ($42.00) For the “whisky on the rocks” fellaWhisky Stones | “Skip the ice; Serve your drinks on the rocks. These innovative soapstone cubes were designed by Andrew Hellman, a big fan of single malt scotch, who wanted to chill his spirits without diluting them. After much research, he came up with the idea of using natural soapstone to chill drinks due to its softness (won’t scratch the glass) and its unique ability to retain temperature for extended periods of time. Milled in Perkinsville, Vermont by the oldest soapstone workshop in the United States. Simply chill the stones. Add three to your next drink, let stand for five minutes and enjoy.” ($20.00) For the beer gluttonMr. Beer Premium Gold Edition Home Brew Kit | “Everything required to brew 2 batches (4 gallons) of beer at home. Includes: brew keg, 2 standard refill brew packs (Classic American and Cowboy Lager), 8 re-usable 1-liter bottles w/caps and labels, Brewing w/Mr. Beer Booklet and easy to follow instructions.” Also available: The Mr. Beer Deluxe Edition Home Microbrewery System, the Mr. Beer Deluxe Bottling System and a wide variety of refill packs for different types of beer. ($46.55) For the family-style cook who wants to take things to the next levelAd Hoc at Home | “Amazon Best Books of the Month, November 2009: You don’t often see the name Thomas Keller mixed with words like ‘accessible’ or ‘home cook,’ but with Ad Hoc at Home, the award-winning chef presents a collection of recipes destined for the center of the table at casual family gatherings. Don’t throw away your whole notion of ‘quick and easy,’ though, as this is still a casual cookbook filtered through the genius mind of the man behind The French Laundry Cookbook, but the sense of whimsy and the pure joy of Keller doing his version of comfort food proves irresistible. The inspiration for his restaurant Ad Hoc was the simple family meals created and served by the staff at his restaurants. As he says in the introduction, ‘here is food meant to be served from big bowls and platters passed hand to hand at the table. And with dishes like Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, who’s going to argue with that?” ($22.75) For cool kids who like listsTo-Do List | “To-Do List inspires young and old not to take life too seriously. The “tasks” on Maya’s to-do list range from the everyday-buy milk, be less messy, go on vacation, make friends, and no fighting — to the exceptional — dance like an octopus, hug flowers, star gaze, smile giant, eat sweets, and count clouds. Each “task” is adorned with an ink drawing that has been painstakingly hand-rendered in astonishing detail. Soon enough, your own to-do list will include enjoying the novelties found on every page.” We have an autographed copy of this and our kids love it. Very cute. ($10.36) For the perpetual kidPlay-Doh Cologne Spray | “Those fresh-from-the-can, full-of-potential, childhood memories… Now in a convenient spray! This Play-Doh Cologne was created to celebrate the 50th Birthday of Play-Doh! Hasbro said the fragrance is ‘meant for highly-creative people, who seek a whimsical scent reminiscent of their childhood.’ Close your eyes and you’re back in kindergarten all over again! It’s amazing how the scent of Play-Doh can take you to another time and place.” ($19.99) For the analog photographerThe Slide And Negative to Digital Picture Converter | “This device converts old 35mm slides and film negatives into digital images without the need for a computer, allowing you to easily preserve your memories. Slides and negatives are placed into a tray that aligns each properly. Images can be immediately previewed on the built-in 2 1/2″ TFT color display; the touch of a button converts the image instantly and stores it on the converter’s 32 MB flash memory (which can store up to 56 pictures) as a JPEG file. It includes an SD memory card slot (4 GB microSD/miniSD/SD adapter card sold below will store up to 5,715 pictures). When the built-in memory becomes full, you can transfer images to a Mac or a PC running Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7. You can also connect it directly to a TV to view the conversion process or your converted images.” ($129.95) For the seriously hard of humorDeer Revenge Figurine | “This hilarious Deer Revenge Figurine features a crafty buck who’s turned the tables on his would-be rival! Resin figure is a great gag gift for hunters!” If that’s not awesome enough, how about the Praying Biker Figure or the Animated Flashing Santa? Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. Hardy-har-har. ($11.98) For the salthoundThe Best Salts in The World | “1. Alaea: Hawaiian Sea Salt is fine & coarse is the traditional Hawaiian Sea Salt. Hawaiian Red Clay adds nutrients and flavor to this unique salt. 2. Bali Coconut & Lime Smoked Sea Salt: Is a tropical sea salt that has been smoked over coconut shells and kaffir lime leaves. 3. Cyprus: Mediterranean Flake Salt is a favorite among professional chefs. The unique pyramid shaped crystals have a fresh ocean flavor and a satisfying crunch. 4. Cyprus: Cyprus Black Lava Flake Salt is Mediterranean Sea salt combined with activated charcoal.Ideal for table side presentation. 5. Fleur de Sel de Guérande: Is accepted by many chefs as the best finishing salt in the world. 6. Flor de Sal: Portuguese is premium hand harvested sea salt from Portugal. Young salt crystals are skimmed from the surface of salt ponds… etc… etc…” ($139.00) And finally, for the people who are odd enough to appreciate this odd little digital web site — our very own analog book!Milk Eggs Vodka: Grocery Lists Lost and Found | “This book is a compilation of abandoned grocery lists that have been discovered in grocery carts, market floors, and parking lots across the country. If we are what we eat, then this book reveals deep truths about the average American (not to mention more mundane truths like a surprising number of people enjoy onions, and, for most people, mayonnaise is very, very difficult to spell). Separated into chapters (funny lists, sad lists, unhealthy lists, organized lists) the book also includes commentary by the author and some very special recipes created from found grocery lists. Sidebars and food facts round out the menu.” ($13.59) And if you don’t want that one, try my other book, “50 SAD CHAIRS!” ($5.99) There you go. For more great gift ideas, check out our other GLC gift guides in the “related posts” links below. Happy Holidays, everyone! Love, |