‘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! :))
91 Comments
Layla
December 12, 2011 at 10:36 amI tried the Soda Stream at a friend’s house and LOVED it. What a great giveaway!
Abby
December 12, 2011 at 10:37 amThose 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! 🙂
Kim
December 12, 2011 at 10:39 amGreat 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.
Maya
December 12, 2011 at 10:43 amI love SodaStream– what a great giveaway!
Marissa
December 12, 2011 at 10:50 amWhat 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!}.
Amanda
December 12, 2011 at 10:59 amI 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!
Heather
December 12, 2011 at 11:28 amAwesome 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!
Sonal
December 12, 2011 at 11:34 amI would give this SodaStream to my boyfriend because that means I’d get to use it too!
Elizabeth
December 12, 2011 at 11:41 amOooh, I would keep the SodaStream for myself. Or maybe gift it to my hubby, which would really be a gift to myself, haha.
Holley
December 12, 2011 at 11:59 amIs it wrong that I’d keep the Soda Stream for myself? Because I totally would. 🙂
Jenna
December 12, 2011 at 12:02 pmI’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??
Brian
December 12, 2011 at 12:06 pmHmmmm… 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.
Geek in Heels
December 12, 2011 at 12:10 pmLove the gift guide! And as for the soda stream? If I won, I’d keep it for myself! 😛
Meagan
December 12, 2011 at 12:13 pmI 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)!
Michelle
December 12, 2011 at 12:13 pmAwesome 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!
Julie @BananasForBourbon
December 12, 2011 at 12:15 pmI definitely want one myself! My sister has one and I’ve been coveting it!
gus
December 12, 2011 at 12:27 pmI 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!
ShelbyP
December 12, 2011 at 12:32 pmI 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!
nicole @ I am a Honey Bee
December 12, 2011 at 12:33 pmI’d give this to my boyfriend. He goes through so much seltzer and tonic since he is cutting out sugary soda.
Tracy
December 12, 2011 at 12:34 pmMmm. 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.
Mara
December 12, 2011 at 12:36 pmOH 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 🙂
Twochicksnest
December 12, 2011 at 12:54 pmOh, I’ve been eying this product for a while! I’d give it to my wife 🙂
Carol W
December 12, 2011 at 12:58 pmI would give it to my husband … which means I get some too!
Catherine
December 12, 2011 at 1:12 pmWe were just talking about this. I might have to gift this to the hubs. He’s been talking about it for awhile.
Ghenet
December 12, 2011 at 1:15 pmGreat 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! 🙂
Kelly | Blushink
December 12, 2011 at 1:22 pmI’ve seen those bowl around for quite some time. I <3 them so much. So true, they make your kitchen that much prettier 😉
Ali @ His Birdie's Nest
December 12, 2011 at 1:28 pmI 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
Even 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!)
Amy
December 12, 2011 at 1:35 pmI’d give the sodastream to myself. HA! Seriously though. I would.
Penny
December 12, 2011 at 1:36 pmI would give the soda stream to myself!
Laura Lewis
December 12, 2011 at 1:42 pmOh 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!!!
Alice
December 12, 2011 at 1:44 pmI’d give the sodastream to my hubby! He’s a Dr. Pepper fiend!!
Melodie
December 12, 2011 at 1:54 pmI would give it to my mom, so that whenever I visit, I could try it out!
katie
December 12, 2011 at 2:03 pmI 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!
katie
December 12, 2011 at 2:09 pmUm 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. 🙂
Gloria
December 12, 2011 at 2:17 pmI 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! 🙂
Nodakademic
December 12, 2011 at 2:19 pmI would keep it! Love.
Jody
December 12, 2011 at 2:25 pmI 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!
Kristin
December 12, 2011 at 2:26 pmI would definitely give this to myself. No doubt about it. This is an awesome giveaway!
nellie
December 12, 2011 at 2:30 pmI 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.
Amy @ The Nifty Foodie
December 12, 2011 at 2:31 pmGive to? Psh…I’d keep it for sure! 🙂
Amber @ Amber's Confections
December 12, 2011 at 2:51 pmI would be all over the cheese of the month club! YUM!
Malissa
December 12, 2011 at 2:54 pmWhat a neat giveaway! I would keep it for myself 🙂
e.louise {Liz}
December 12, 2011 at 3:10 pmI have a soda habit and I would LOVE one of these for myself 🙂
Cindy
December 12, 2011 at 3:12 pmI’d give it to my brother for Christmas!
Erica
December 12, 2011 at 3:16 pmI 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!
Maddie
December 12, 2011 at 3:59 pmI would give the SodaStream to my sister. She is a carbonated water drinking fool 🙂 !
Kristin ~ Bien Living Design
December 12, 2011 at 4:16 pmMy husband would love this! Awesome 🙂
Josie
December 12, 2011 at 4:26 pmI’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. 🙂
Haseebo
December 12, 2011 at 4:30 pmI’d give this to my lovely wife, who does NOT burp uncontrollably after drinking seltzer water. >:-D
Rachel
December 12, 2011 at 5:10 pmI would keep the soda stream for myself! And make sodas for my friends when they come over 😉
Marie
December 12, 2011 at 5:35 pmI 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!
Amanda
December 12, 2011 at 5:42 pmI’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!
LatteLove
December 12, 2011 at 7:09 pmAfter spending a few months in Italy where we were only served seltzer water, Pellegrino, my husband is hooked. I’d give it to him!
Kim L.
December 12, 2011 at 7:44 pmGreat giveaway- I want all of the items!
kelsey@mintedlife
December 12, 2011 at 8:10 pmI’m so selfish, but I would give the soda stream to myself!
Jennifer
December 12, 2011 at 8:32 pmI would give the soda stream to my dr. pepper addicted friend 😀
Meister @ The Nervous Cook
December 12, 2011 at 8:32 pmThese 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.
Cindie
December 12, 2011 at 9:35 pmI’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!
amy marantino
December 12, 2011 at 9:49 pmi love soda
Sonia
December 12, 2011 at 10:00 pmhonestly i would keep the soda stream for myself!
Our Wired Lives
December 12, 2011 at 10:01 pmI 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.
Frizz E
December 12, 2011 at 10:50 pmI 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.
Jessica
December 12, 2011 at 11:01 pmI’m buying my dad a soda stream for Christmas, so if I won, I would have to keep it for myself 🙂
Nicole
December 12, 2011 at 11:05 pmI’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.
TwoWishes Tara
December 13, 2011 at 1:10 amOh 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.)
Jill N
December 13, 2011 at 1:24 amI 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!
john barfield
December 13, 2011 at 7:52 amSodastreams are fabulous. I have always wanted one. Great guide, Serena!
Ngoc
December 13, 2011 at 10:06 amI would give a sodastream to my sister. She spends a fortune on Perrier every week. Great giveaway!
Amy@ Parker Haus Roles
December 13, 2011 at 10:59 amI would give this to my husband! We go through cases of sparkling water a month. We too prefer our water with gas. 🙂
May
December 13, 2011 at 11:03 amI would give it to my husband. We are soda fiends!
Taryn
December 13, 2011 at 11:06 amI would give it to my mom! She would love all the varieties they have!
Marc
December 13, 2011 at 12:34 pmI would give the soda stream to Louie Kay – but then give him an empty box and keep it for myself.
Lauren
December 13, 2011 at 12:35 pmI would give it to my husband. Great gift!
Brandi
December 13, 2011 at 1:21 pmUm I would give this to me lol. I feel back saying that but we would totally use it
Wai Sze
December 13, 2011 at 7:16 pmI’ve been drinking Seltzer everyday all day.. this would be fantastic!
Wai Sze
December 13, 2011 at 7:17 pmFor me!
Susan L
December 13, 2011 at 11:33 pmHello!
I 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!
p p
December 13, 2011 at 11:40 pmmy parents desperately need a sodastream! They’ve lost count of how many bottles of seltzer they consume every week!
Big Apple Nosh: NYC Food Blog | New York | Food | Restaurants | Recipes | Reviews | Brunch: FOUR at Yotel
December 14, 2011 at 10:48 am[…] you entered my SodaStream giveaway yet? You can enter once/day via twitter! The giveaway will close tomorrow night, so make sure you […]
megan marie
December 14, 2011 at 10:07 pmI 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 🙂
Jenna
December 15, 2011 at 9:16 amThis would be the perfect Christmas gift for my husband : )
Becky
December 15, 2011 at 9:50 amMy mom would love to have one of these! …though I might keep a couple of the flavors for myself 🙂
Katie
December 15, 2011 at 10:54 amI SO want to try one of the Soda Streams!!! They just seem oh so cool!
atout
December 15, 2011 at 11:54 amI have been wanting one of these. Love seltzer water and go through too many bottles!
Sara
December 15, 2011 at 2:45 pmI 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.
carly
December 15, 2011 at 5:21 pmI would absolutely love to win a SodaStream! I’d give it to my husband as a Christmas gift!
Veronica
December 15, 2011 at 11:34 pmI would LOVE a SodaStream! I almost bought one at a home show a couple months ago and I’ve regretted not buying it since 🙁
Big Apple Nosh: NYC Food Blog | New York | Food | Restaurants | Recipes | Reviews | Fun Fact Friday!
December 16, 2011 at 7:23 am[…] Friday, Noshers! Any weekend plans? Last minute shopping perhaps? Check out my Holiday Gift Guide for inspiration! Today’s fun fact is sooooo mouthwateringly delicious, I had to […]
Random Things I’m Loving | Parker Haus Roles
December 16, 2011 at 10:23 am[…] 9. We love sparkling water! This is an average Costco run which should last us 3 weeks. 4 cases of Talking Rain lightly flavored sparkling water & 3 cases of Cascade Ice flavored spring water. I so need to win the Soda Stream that Big Apple Nosh is giving away! […]
laura ari
October 4, 2012 at 10:32 pmMy husband would love the soda stream. I would too!
sodastream source review
February 9, 2014 at 11:34 amIncredible! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s oon a entirely different topic
but it has pretty much the same page layout and design.
Great choice of colors!