NoshGirl’s 2011 Gift Guide + a GIVEAWAY!
‘Tis the season for holiday cheer and thankfulness! I am SO thankful to all of you who have followed along with Big Apple Nosh this past year! In celebration of the season, I’ve compiled a short list of items I would love to give and receive. The list includes many of the most treasured/delicious/useful food and cooking items that I’ve enjoyed in 2011. At the very end, I’ll be giving away one of these coveted items, so be sure to keep reading!
1. Your “I don’t actually use my kitchen, but I want it to look pretty” friend:
Nest 8 Bowls – (I don’t currently own these)
I first saw this bowl set live at the MoMA Design Store here in NYC, and let me tell you – they are as cute and clever in person. Now for practical purposes, I’m usually a proponent of stainless steel bowls for baking (they are sturdier and are easier to rid of grease if you’re making meringues or something equally finicky). However, I must admit these bowls would dress up my kitchen counter way better than a stainless steel bowl would! They are “bowls for show,” one might say.
2. Your “I actually DO use my kitchen and want something practical, thankyouverymuch” friend:
OXO Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set – (I own these)
I love these bowls and use them for everything. With a durable stainless steel interior that you can get squeaky clean and won’t retain odors, as well as a rubberized non-skid bottom, these bowls can take a beating (literally – I use these for beating eggs). The set comes with 1.5 quart, 3 quart and 5 quart bowls – perfect for cooking and baking needs. And you can just pop ‘em in the dishwasher when you’re done with them. Easy peasy! These are my workhorse bowls.
3. Your Cheese-Lovin’ Friend (aka me, ha!)
Artisanal Cheese of the Month Subscription – (I had this and it was wonderful!)
A question I’m often asked is – “If you had to have one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?” Healthy and practicality reasons aside (and really, one food for the rest of your life? Who’s being practical here?) my answer is always “Cheese!” Cheese is by far my favorite food in the world – the variety of textures, flavors and aromas means that you’ll never get bored. This year my sister @cheezeplease purchased me a 3-month subscription to Artisanal’s Cheese of the Month Club for my birthday, and it was such an awesome present! (You can see me write-ups here, here and here). If you love getting stuff in the mail that’s not bills, and you love cheese – this present is for you. And for me. Mmmmm…
4. The friend who appreciates the finer foods in life…
A Marx Foods Gift Certificate – (their quality is unmatched!)
I was first introduced to Marx Foods when I participated in their Mushroom Challenge last year, and I’ve been a huge fan ever since. Having had a chance to sample not only mushrooms but also spices, rare ingredients and much more, I can say that their quality is unparalleled and they have an AMAZING selection of fine foods. Whether you’re looking for game meats, seafood, truffles, edible flowers or exotic fruits, Marx Foods has got it all. And what’s more – they are super cool and down-to-earth people. I’ve got some dried mushrooms and chilies sitting on my countertop right now that Marx Foods sent over, just because I got to know them so well over the past year and they thought I’d have fun cooking with them. Definitely check out this family-run business!
5. Your “I like user-friendly tools” friend:
Set of 4 Flexible Chopping Mats – (I have these)
So these aren’t as fancy looking as the wood and bamboo cutting boards I have, but they are super practical, fare well in the dishwasher, and are only $6 for 4! Best of all, after chopping carrots, veggies, what-have-you – you can just fold up these flexible boards to make for easy transfer to a bowl or cooking pot. I’m a fan.
…and last but not least, I’ve been using this product every day for the past year and I LOVE it.
6. For your bubbly friend…
SodaStream Home Soda Maker – (I have one and loooove it!)
I know this makes me sound super unhealthy, but I find plain flat water insanely boring. However, I LOVE carbonated water. I received the SodaStream as a present and literally use it to turn flat water into seltzer every. single. day! It is seriously amazing. Once you carbonate your water, you can add flavoring, fruit juices or just drink it straight up. My SodaStream has a permanent spot on my limited NYC counter-top space!
And now YOU can try the SodaStream for yourself! Yes, SodaStream has provided me a Fountain Jet Soda Starter Set to give away! The lucky winner will receive:
- The Soda Stream Fountain Jet in your choice of black, red or white
- 1 carbonating bottle, reusable for up to 3 years
- Reusable carbonator to fizz up to 60L of soda
- Variety 6-pack of popular sample-size flavors
- 3 full-sized flavors of your choice
Do you want one for yourself? (Or, ermm, to give to a friend…yeah. 
). Make sure you enter below!
(As always, readers – you must actually answer the question provided in the “Leave a comment” instructions or your entries won’t count! 
)
I tried the Soda Stream at a friend’s house and LOVED it. What a great giveaway!
1Those mixing bowls look awesome – for some reason, I always meant to register for them when we got married, but never did. Making a mental note for my Christmas list for hubs! Also, a girl at work has a Soda Stream and I am always envious of her yummy-looking soda. This is a great givewaway!
2Great gift guide! The nesting bowls not only look pretty, but are great space-savers as well . . . very important for apartment/city dwellers when cabinet space is in limited supply.
3I love SodaStream– what a great giveaway!
4What a great gift guide, Serena! I’ve heard lots of wonderful things about SodaStream from my sister’s friends. If I’m lucky enough to win, I’d give her one in red {to match her kitchen!}.
5I literally just jumped up and down in my seat! I am so excited about this giveaway because I am DYING for one of those Soda Streams!
6Awesome list — I love the cheese subscription — and giveaway! I would give the SodaStream to my husband, because he’d love it, and then I’d still get to use it, too. Ha ha!
7I would give this SodaStream to my boyfriend because that means I’d get to use it too!
8Oooh, I would keep the SodaStream for myself. Or maybe gift it to my hubby, which would really be a gift to myself, haha.
9Is it wrong that I’d keep the Soda Stream for myself? Because I totally would.
10I’m actually planning on buying Hubs a Sodastream for Christmas… which is really a gift for myself, too : ) Maybe I’ll be able to cross a gift off my list??
11Hmmmm… I think I would give the soda stream to my bro-in-law, who loves drinking carbinated beverages. I’ve never seen someone suck down seltzer like that man. Anyway, he’d be my first choice.
12Love the gift guide! And as for the soda stream? If I won, I’d keep it for myself!
13I would totally give the Soda Stream to my husband! He is addicted to soda and I think he’d love being able to make his own at home (and I wouldn’t mind either)!
14Awesome ideas! If I won the soda stream, I would pair up with my culinary sorceress of a friend and make healthy, but tasty, drinks for our soda addicted husbands!
15I definitely want one myself! My sister has one and I’ve been coveting it!
16I know this ruins the Christmas magic… BUT I asked Santa to deliver a soda stream for my wife- she LOVES soda and loves to experiment in the kitchen so I’m sure she would come up with some creative flavors! Thank you for having this giveaway! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
17I would probably keep this for myself! I LOVE soda pop but have given it up lately. But to make my own would be super fun!
18I’d give this to my boyfriend. He goes through so much seltzer and tonic since he is cutting out sugary soda.
19Mmm. I might have to keep it. Though my sister, the non-soda-drinker, might like it, and her birthday is in January, far too close to Christmas.
20OH man, what an awesome giveaway! I just asked for this for Hannukah but I’m sure my mom would rather me win it here and save herself some money! Fingers crossed
21Oh, I’ve been eying this product for a while! I’d give it to my wife
22I would give it to my husband … which means I get some too!
23We were just talking about this. I might have to gift this to the hubs. He’s been talking about it for awhile.
24Great gift guide. I have those Oxo bowls and would love to get those chopping mats.
I’d keep the Soda Stream for myself and my husband! Lately we’ve been obsessed with sparkling water too. Thanks for the giveaway!
25I’ve seen those bowl around for quite some time. I <3 them so much. So true, they make your kitchen that much prettier
26I love all those bowls… I have a thing for bowls. J makes fun of me for it & I’m pretty sure he’d be furious with me if I bought another bowl hahaha
27Even though, he doesn’t support my bowl obsession & I will give him the Soda Stream when I win. (Notice I said when and not if, b/c I am SO WINNING THIS!)
I’d give the sodastream to myself. HA! Seriously though. I would.
28I would give the soda stream to myself!
29Oh my gosh I want a Sodastream so bad! We registered for one and had the intentions of buying it after the wedding but never did… tried it at a friends house recently and loved it! Thought about buying one for the hubby for Christmas but didn’t get the funds… this would be AWESOME to win!!!
30I’d give the sodastream to my hubby! He’s a Dr. Pepper fiend!!
31I would give it to my mom, so that whenever I visit, I could try it out!
32I want one for myself! I also bought that top set of colorful mixing bowls from Home Goods for my lil sis who is in college. They are so cute!
33Um also I got those bowls for 9.99! I just clicked on the link that said they are 50$. Maybe mine are knock offs…or maybe I scored the BEST DEAL EVER without even knowing it!! I’m gonna go with the second one.
34I would gift the sodastream to my husband, who tried it for the first time a few weeks ago at a friend’s apt and can’t stop talking about it. Let’s make this happen!
35I would keep it! Love.
36I think this would be a great gift for my husband. He loves flavored water and the bonus would be that I could use it, too!
37I would definitely give this to myself. No doubt about it. This is an awesome giveaway!
38I would give it to my parents. I have one and absolutely love it and also use it every day. I have never liked flat water, but don’t love sugary sodas either.
39Give to? Psh…I’d keep it for sure!
40I would be all over the cheese of the month club! YUM!
41What a neat giveaway! I would keep it for myself
42I have a soda habit and I would LOVE one of these for myself
43I’d give it to my brother for Christmas!
44I would give it to my hubs because he loves this and uses it whenever we go to our friend’s house. He would LOVE it!
P.S. I love your other suggestions and I am totally salivating over those cheeses! YUM!
45I would give the SodaStream to my sister. She is a carbonated water drinking fool
!
46My husband would love this! Awesome
47I’d give the Soda Stream to my husband. He’s been trying to cut back on drinking pop and this would be a good replacement.
48I’d give this to my lovely wife, who does NOT burp uncontrollably after drinking seltzer water. >:-D
49I would keep the soda stream for myself! And make sodas for my friends when they come over
50I would give it to my friend who loves seltzer water! This is such an awesome invention. I know so many people who swear by it!
51I’d give it to my husband – he gave up diet cokes a few months ago but he still loves carbonated beverages – he’d love this!
52After spending a few months in Italy where we were only served seltzer water, Pellegrino, my husband is hooked. I’d give it to him!
53Great giveaway- I want all of the items!
54I’m so selfish, but I would give the soda stream to myself!
55I would give the soda stream to my dr. pepper addicted friend
56These are all great! I was thinking about getting a Soda Stream for my sister this year, because I love mine so, so much. And thanks for the tip about Marx Foods! What an awesome-looking site.
57I’ve always wondered about the sodastream…umm..can I say I’d give it to myself?
If I couldn’t keep it for myself I’d probably give it to my brother. And btw…I think you just solved my christmas gift dilemma with the Marx foods gift certificate!
58i love soda
59honestly i would keep the soda stream for myself!
60I would give this to myself. I stopped drinking soda b/c of all the sugar. This would let me drink carbonated bevs again while controlling how much sugar goes into it! Totally want it.
61I want! I would keep it for me! Or maybe give it to my parents, because they drink a lot of soda and have a bigger kitchen.
62I’m buying my dad a soda stream for Christmas, so if I won, I would have to keep it for myself
63I’ve had my eye on the soda stream for a while. I’d ‘give’ it to my husband as I’m sure he’d appreciate an almost constant supply of carbonated water.
64Oh dear, I have to admit it would go to ME! I drink soda water 24/7, so it would make life much, much easier. (In fact, have been considering one for a while now.)
65I would give this to my boyfriend because he also loves carbonated water! I’ve been wanting to buy one for a while to cut down on all the bottles we have to buy!
66Sodastreams are fabulous. I have always wanted one. Great guide, Serena!
67I would give a sodastream to my sister. She spends a fortune on Perrier every week. Great giveaway!
68I would give this to my husband! We go through cases of sparkling water a month. We too prefer our water with gas.
69I would give it to my husband. We are soda fiends!
70I would give it to my mom! She would love all the varieties they have!
71I would give the soda stream to Louie Kay – but then give him an empty box and keep it for myself.
72I would give it to my husband. Great gift!
73Um I would give this to me lol. I feel back saying that but we would totally use it
74I’ve been drinking Seltzer everyday all day.. this would be fantastic!
75For me!
76Hello!
77I would give the SodaStream to my husband. He’s from Germany and grew up drinking carbonated water. He prefers sparkling water to still water. He would LOVE to have this in our home!
my parents desperately need a sodastream! They’ve lost count of how many bottles of seltzer they consume every week!
78I would give this to my husband. He loves LOVES soda. But we don’t buy it because of all the nasty ingredients. Making it at home would be perfect
79This would be the perfect Christmas gift for my husband : )
80My mom would love to have one of these! …though I might keep a couple of the flavors for myself
81I SO want to try one of the Soda Streams!!! They just seem oh so cool!
82I have been wanting one of these. Love seltzer water and go through too many bottles!
83I would give it to my husband…. so that means I’d get to use it too =) He LOVES club soda and we’re Coke zero freaks so I’ve been eying these for awhile.
84I would absolutely love to win a SodaStream! I’d give it to my husband as a Christmas gift!
85I would LOVE a SodaStream! I almost bought one at a home show a couple months ago and I’ve regretted not buying it since
86My husband would love the soda stream. I would too!
87