All too often, the teas that are so painstakingly selected at the store get shoved into pantries and never found again. Ensure your leaf-loving friend will find the blend easily with this apple-shaped tea canister crafted from maple wood. Arriving filled with English Breakfast, it's a perfect serving piece when bringing out hot dessert drinks. Available at select Indigo and Chapters stores nationally, and chapters.indigo.ca, $39.99.

Hot chocolate packets are all well and good, but the richness of a store-created mug of steaming cocoa always just seems to taste better. Give your favourite chocolate lover the gift of froth with this ceramic hot chocolate maker that looks as sweet on the outside as its creations will taste. Available at select Indigo and Chapters stores nationally, and chapters.indigo.ca, $39.99.

Preeminent American chef Thomas Keller, best known for his upscale eateries The French Laundry and per se, has created a more home cook-friendly tome for this holiday season. "Ad Hoc at Home" has recipes from his more casual restaurant, ad hoc, and features gorgeous food layouts and a softer side to the famous chef. Perfect for the chef not quite up to three-star status. Available at select Indigo and Chapters stores nationally, and chapters.indigo.ca, $65.

Feel like giving your favourite sweet tooth a bit of a challenge? The Field Guide to Candy lists and depicts every sweet treat imaginable, and has the added bonus of recipes for homemade goods - which means you may even benefit from your own present. Available at select Indigo and Chapters stores nationally, and chapters.indigo.ca, $19.95.

While the yummy goods inside (including double chocolate chip cookies, breakfast marmalade and tea to last for weeks) are enticing enough, it's the wicker basket of the Kensington Hamper Petit that makes this gift irresistible for Anglophiles and picnic-lovers the world over. From Crabtree & Evelyn, $80.

Feel like starting a Christmas tradition for close friends or family? Each year, Crabtree & Evelyn releases a Festive Tin, filled with shortbread treats and depicting an iconic holiday scene. Start by giving it out this year, and wait to see the shelves fill with these gorgeous collectibles in years to come. From Crabtree & Evelyn, $30.

No foodie worth his sea salt would be caught getting fast food for lunch, so why not provide him with a nice carrying case for his homemade meal? This Insulated Messenger from Mario Batali keeps food hot or cold, and doubles as a good-looking man bag for office purposes. Available at ShopNChill.com, $25.

You know that friend you have, the one who always invites you to huge dinner parties, who you've been meaning to pay back, but just don't feel like you have the right pots and pans for? Repay your "debt" with the Tassimo T65 Beverage System, a good-looking addition to any countertop that whips up perfect teas, espressos, lattes and more with the touch of a button. The chef will appreciate the ease of making everyone's favourite hot drinks, and you'll appreciate having contributed to the meal. Available from Tassimo, $249.99.

Every consummate hostess knows that the yummiest appetizer is often cheese served with complementary fruit, but the difficulty lies in perfecting the temperature. This ceramic Goat Cheese Baker was created specifically for baking soft, unripened cheeses, and comes with the dish, as well as a bamboo spreader for ideal coverage. Available at select Indigo and Chapters stores nationally, and chapters.indigo.ca, $19.99.

Green & Black's Organic Chocolate is a favourite brand among chocolate lovers for not only their unique flavours and pure tastes, but also their ethical and organic sourcing for their products. Give an uninitiated friend the chance to experience the whole range with the Seasonal Miniature Bar Collection, containing 18 pieces of deliciousness. Available nationwide in most grocery, natural health food and organic stores, $22.59.

An utterly unique gift for someone who loves both food and art, this Shadow Box Collage is made up of real pressed and preserved fruits and vegetables, which are then painted and mounted into a stunning showpiece. An unexpected delight for anyone who spends lots of time in the kitchen. By Botanical Art by Diane, currently showing at the One of a Kind Show, $250.

Baguettes are a particularly difficult food to find serving dishes for, but these delicate ceramic creations are an ideal complement for the crusty bread. They are also great for appetizers, or even as a table's centrepiece. From Ceramik B, currently showing at the One of a Kind Show, $44.

A must-have tool for any cook who enjoys creating her own salts and spices, this wooden mortar and pestle will look pretty lined up in any kitchen, whether it contrasts stainless steel or blends in with natural textures. Available at Winners, $14.99.

Cast iron pots are beloved by professional chefs for their ability to withstand high temperatures and excellent heat diffusion, and they've been spreading into home cooks' lives for years. Choose a cheery example, like this sea blue Mario Batali cast iron Dutch oven, to add to your friend's collection. Available at HomeSense, $49.99.

Remember the last time you tried to measure salt out of the heavy, cumbersome box and ended up with most of it on the floor? It's happened to all of us, which is why the Prepara Silicone Salt Keeper is the most brilliant thing to keep in the kitchen. A wide mouth (and provided measuring spoon) gives easy access, while the silicone lid keeps the salt fresh and dry. Available from Williams Sonoma, from $20.

A cook can never have too many preparation bowls - especially when they're as adorable as these ones from Joseph Joseph. The Nest 8 set includes four measuring cups, two mixing bowls, a sieve and a colander, and fit together snugly for those condo inhabitants short on space. A practical gift, yes, but one that will undoubtedly be appreciated. Available from Joseph Joseph, from $50.

Gift boxes are often the fallback present when you don't know what else to get a less-than-close friend, but if you're going to go that route, why not ensure it's something they'll use? This gourmet seasoning set includes oils and salts that even less adventurous eaters will enjoy trying out, and their pretty packaging guarantees a good reception. Available Winners, $19.99.

Cupcakes continue to be a huge trend, coming in every artistic style imaginable - why not show off your favourites with a gorgeous cupcake pedestal? The fun shapes and hand-blown glass guarantee these to be a holiday hit. By Andrea Ripley, currently showing at the One of a Kind Show, contact artist for pricing.

Don't forget the bubbly! If there's one time of year to indulge in champagne, it's the holidays, so make sure your bottle is at its peak with the Ice Jacket from Veuve Clicquot, a snug-fitting insulated encasement that will keep your bottle at an optimal temperature for two hours. Available at select liquor stores across the country, from $64.95.