Good evening. Tonight, our resident “spoon snob” on why a piece of cutlery can make a great gift. Plus …
I wasn’t always a self-proclaimed spoon snob — or someone who gave a piece of cutlery as a gift — but nearly a decade ago, my first day as a line cook at a buzzy Los Angeles restaurant changed that. I could still smell the stale cigarettes and sweat lingering in the air from the guy who had just quit on the spot when I was thrown into his station. I worked alongside a disgruntled cook who glared in silent judgment for hours as I struggled to make globs of fermented chickpea paste look artful with a clunky spatula. My presence wasn’t the issue, though. The true source of his irritation was that I had no idea what a Kunz spoon was. Eventually, he reached into a round, stainless steel container filled with cooking utensils and plucked out the shiny tool. “Buy yourself a Kunz spoon, would ya?” he said smugly as he lent me his for the rest of the night. “Heard,” I replied. By the end of the shift, I was a convert. The large, slightly tapered spoon is now one of the most versatile kitchen tools I own. It’s also a can’t-go-wrong gift. I’ve lost count of how many friends have called to thank me for giving them this little tool that quickly became an everyday staple. It sounds silly: How could something as trivial as a piece of cutlery be special enough to wrap up for your nearest and dearest? But in reality, a great spoon embodies everything an exceptional gift should be. It can simplify weeknight dinners and elevate something as basic as cereal — it can also symbolize a rite of passage for a graduating culinary student stepping onto the line for the very first time, like I once was. Beyond the Kunz, I’ve amassed more than 70 spoons, which might sound ridiculous, but each serves a distinct purpose — and many would make surprising-yet-practical gifts. These are a few of my favorites, along with a couple my colleagues recommend, too:
I’m sure by now you understand how my spoon collection reached double digits — in my opinion, you can never have too many.
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I’m looking for a fabulous gift for a fashion-conscious 7-year-old whose idea of a good time starts and ends with applying makeup. — H.K. From gifting expert Hannah Morrill: I’ve consulted my own fashion-conscious 8-year-old to look back into her crystal ball for you. These lip balm duos were a big hit — she has bubble gum and cherry, but I’m sure mango and watermelon would also be a winner. (They’re mostly untinted, but the squeezy tubes feel more grown-up than a Chapstick-shaped bullet.) She also lives and dies by clear mascara. If a little color is okay, these tinted jelly sticks are very subtle (read: non-clown-like) on lips and cheeks. As for nails, we’ve had the least frustration with these quick-dry polishes, which have a wide brush and full coverage after one coat. They also come in a range of unserious sparkly shades. After you stock this kid up, package it all in a real makeup bag!
Have someone who’s impossible to shop for? Submit your question here.
One last gift (for you): Speaking of practical gifts, we love this beautiful, gold bracelet watch — and it’s currently on sale.
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