Pixie tips:

• Invest in a measuring set that includes both dry and liquid cups to avoid extra dishes.
• Opt for silicone or wooden spatulas — they last longer and are easier to clean.
• Buy a complete set if you’re starting fresh; it saves time hunting for mismatched pieces later.

Baking Tools

These are the behind-the-scenes heroes. They’re not flashy, but they make the difference between a cake that’s “fine” and one that turns out beautifully every time.

1. Rolling Pin – Whether you’re creating perfectly even cookie dough or crafting a delicate pie crust, a quality rolling pin with smooth action helps achieve uniform thickness for even baking and professional presentation.
2. Sifter or Fine Mesh Strainer – Beyond just removing lumps, this tool aerates dry ingredients and ensures they’re evenly distributed throughout your mixture, resulting in lighter, more uniform baked goods.
3. Pastry Cutter – The multiple blades quickly cut cold butter into flour for pie crusts and biscuits, creating the perfect tiny pockets that result in flaky, tender layers without warming the butter with your hands.
4. Bench Scraper – This multi-purpose tool not only helps portion dough and clean surfaces but also acts as a straight edge for cutting bar cookies and lifting delicate pastries without breaking them.
5. Cooling Racks – Proper air circulation is crucial for preventing soggy bottoms on your baked goods, and these racks ensure even cooling while maintaining crisp crusts and perfect textures.
6. Oven Thermometer – Since oven temperatures can vary significantly from their settings, this tool ensures your treats bake at the precise temperature needed for optimal results and consistent outcomes.
7. Pastry Mat or Parchment Paper – These non-stick surfaces not only make cleanup easier but also provide helpful measurement guides and prevent your creations from sticking to baking sheets or counters.
8. Cake Tester or Toothpicks – These simple but essential tools help you determine exactly when your baked goods are perfectly done, preventing both underbaking and dried-out results.
9. Cake Leveler – This specialized tool creates perfectly even cake layers every time, essential for professional-looking layer cakes that stand straight and tall without wobbling.
10. Silicone Baking Mats – These reusable, non-stick surfaces promote even heat distribution, reduce waste, and ensure your baked goods release easily every time.

Pixie tips

• Stick with nonstick or heavy-duty metal pans — they bake more evenly.
• Stackable bakeware makes storage so much easier in a small kitchen.
• Don’t buy too many specialty shapes at first — start with versatile basics like a round pan and muffin tin.

Decorating & Finishing Touches

This is where the magic happens. You don’t need professional-level gear — just a few simple tools that help your bakes look party-ready with minimal effort.

1. Piping Bags & Tips – This versatile decorating system allows you to create everything from delicate rosettes to bold borders, with different tips offering endless possibilities for customizing your designs to match any party theme.
2. Offset Spatula—The angled blade helps achieve perfectly smooth frosting on cakes and bars while keeping your knuckles clean, making it easier to create professional-looking finishes that wow your guests.
3. Cookie Cutters – Beyond basic shapes, a varied collection allows you to create themed treats for any occasion, while different sizes let you make everything from tiny garnishes to statement cookies.
4. Grater/Zester—Essential for adding fresh citrus zest to brighten flavors or creating delicate chocolate shavings for garnish, this tool helps add the finishing touches that elevate simple desserts to memorable treats.
5. Dough Scraper—This tool’s straight edge creates clean cuts for even portioning of dough and bars. It also helps shape bread dough and transfer delicate cutouts without distortion.
6. Cake Turntable—This rotating platform makes achieving smooth, professional frosting much easier. It allows you to create perfectly even layers and decorative patterns with minimal effort.
7. Food Colorings (Gel-Based): Unlike liquid colorings, gel-based colors create vibrant hues without affecting your batter’s consistency. This is perfect for creating themed treats that match your party’s color scheme.
8. Sprinkle Collection—A variety of shapes, sizes, and colors of sprinkles let you quickly add festive touches to any dessert, from simple cookies to elaborate cakes, matching any party theme or holiday celebration.

Pixie tips:

• Buy a small starter piping kit before splurging on dozens of tips.
• Offset spatulas and bench scrapers make frosting much easier to handle.
• Keep tools organized in a dedicated drawer or container to save stress on busy baking days.

Packaging & Party-Ready Supplies

Because getting your cake to the party safely is half the battle. These simple supplies keep your hard work protected and make homemade treats look thoughtful and gift-worthy.

31. Cake Carrier with Lid – Protects frosted cakes from smudges and keeps them safe during transport.
32. Cupcake Carrier – Prevents cupcakes from tipping over and ruining your pretty frosting.
33. Cake Boards or Cardboard Rounds – Provides a sturdy base for decorating and moving cakes.
34. Bakery Boxes (Various Sizes) – Perfect for gifting cookies, brownies, or small cakes.
35. Cellophane Treat Bags – Great for party favors or packaging individual cookies.
36. Ribbon or Bakery Twine – Adds a polished finishing touch to boxed or bagged baked goods.

Pixie tips

• Choose stackable carriers if you often bake for multiple parties at once.
• Keep a few extras of bakery boxes and treat bags on hand — from party favors to last-minute classroom gifts, you’ll use them more than you think!
• Simple touches like a ribbon or custom label instantly elevate homemade gifts.

Practical Gifts for Making Coffee

What sort of coffee drinker are you shopping for? Do they only drink espresso, or will they take it any way as long as it’s black? We have lots of ideas here to suit different coffee-drinking styles.

Italian Stovetop Coffee Maker

An Italian stovetop coffee maker is a must-have in any Italian household and a great present for lovers of Italian coffee.

Easy to use, maintain, and pretty much indestructible once you know how to care for it, an Italian stovetop coffee maker is a beautiful object. It makes excellent coffee and also comes at a reasonable price point.

While an Italian stovetop coffee maker is pretty much indestructible, its gaskets can get ruined. However, the gasket is easy to change and doesn’t cost much: a small number of spares is a nice addition to your gift and will guarantee a much longer life to the stovetop moka you are gifting.

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Italian Espresso Machine

If you are looking for a bigger gift, such as a wedding present or a significant housewarming gift, then you may want to gift a proper bar-style espresso coffee machine to your coffee lovers.

Espresso machines come in all shapes and sizes, and when choosing one, you have a few things to look out for: the size of the machine itself, the number of cups it can make at the same time, and the type of coffee it takes—coffee beans, coffee grinds, or coffee pods/capsules.

Nespresso Machine and Pods

Nespresso makes the list of great gifts for coffee lovers thanks to the huge number of coffee varieties and flavors available under the Nespresso umbrella, a variety so significant that it is hard for coffee lovers not to find at least one they truly enjoy.

This is why a Nespresso coffee machine is a great present for people who love to drink coffee.

You can choose between different sizes and varieties, and you can also add a little extra: a tasting tray of pods or a Nespresso subscription so that your loved one never runs out of their favourite potion!

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Milk Frother

If you want a gift for cappuccino lovers, a milk frother may be just the thing!

A handheld milk frother is a small device that turns a simple glass of milk into a lovely frothy cream you can add to your coffee. Use a small amount for a macchiato or a larger amount for a full cappuccino.

Espresso Cups & Saucers

Coffee lovers tend to be fussy about their coffee cups, a little like wine lovers are fussy about having the right glass for the right wine. Indeed, the right container can truly make a difference to the taste of the coffee and the overall coffee experience.

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Heat-Resistant Espresso Glasses

Caffe’ al vetro (coffee in a glass cup) is a popular order in Italian bars and is easy to recreate at home if you have the right gear.

While a normal glass will crack with the heat of the coffee, purpose-built espresso glass mugs will showcase the beautiful colour of your brew, maintain the taste intact, and prevent both the glass and your hands from getting damaged by the heat.

Coffee Bean Grinder

If you are buying for a coffee connoisseur or someone who loves to taste their coffee in all the possible flavor nuances, then a coffee bean grinder is a great choice. Using whole beans to make coffee and grinding your own allows you to get the freshest coffee possible and helps preserve its taste, making it the method of choice of the savviest coffee drinkers.

However, grinding your own coffee takes time, so a good coffee grinder that makes the process smooth and doesn’t damage the flavor of the beans is a must!

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Sealed Ground Coffee Container

Keep those coffee grounds fresh! Air and moisture are big enemies of freshly ground coffee, but a well-sealed ground coffee container is all it takes to keep them at bay.

Temperature-Controlled, Self-Heating Coffee Mug

I think every mama out there completely gets the pain of drinking your hot drink when it’s actually hot!

This temperature-controlled, self-heating mug keeps your brew at the perfect temperature from the first sip to the last drop. Set your ideal temperature via the discreet control panel and enjoy hot coffee exactly how you like it—all morning long. It’s the perfect gift for serious coffee lovers!

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Turkish Coffee Set

Have a friend who’s just back from Turkey (Türkiye) who can’t stop raving about the amazing coffee they had? I’m sure we all know one! Then this Turkish coffee set, handmade by Turkish artisans is just the trick for your international coffee connoisseurs.

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Portable Espresso Machine

A portable espresso machine is the perfect gift for the coffee lover on the go. When you travel for leisure or work, you may not always have access to decent coffee, and this portable machine becomes your best friend.

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Ceramic Travel Mug

Another popular option for a lady who is always on the go. Ceramic coffee mugs preserve the coffee’s authentic flavor, keep drinks hot longer, and offer an eco-friendly alternative to disposable cups. The premium drinking experience comes with spill-resistant lids and beautiful designs to match your style—without absorbing odors or flavors from previous beverages.

French Press Coffee Maker

A French coffee maker makes a lovely present for lovers of filtered coffee and is a handy present especially for people who like to entertain: with a coffee plunger, making coffee for a crowd is done in a matter of minutes, and satisfaction is guaranteed.

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Demitasse Spoons

Demitasse spoons are small spoons perfect for cocktails, mini desserts, and espresso cups. They can be a lovely, simple stocking filler gift for the espresso drinker in your life!

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Personalized Coffee Scoop

This personalized metal coffee scoop makes an excellent stocking stuffer gift idea for your coffee-lover.

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Fun Coffee Mug

Let’s be honest, every warm beverage drinker has their favourite coffee mug! Be it just the right thickness and material, just the right capacity they can drink it before it goes cold; here’s some ideas for a fun and original coffee mug design to introduce to your coffee aficionado!

A Supply of Their Favorite Type of Coffee Beans

Real coffee connoisseurs have their own favourite brand of coffee or coffee beans, but their taste often comes at a price: nice beans can be expensive!

This is also why they make such a nice gift: just make sure you know the variety they prefer or opt for a well known high quality brand such as Illy.

Coffee Lovers Gift Basket

If you’re unsure on just what sort of machine your coffee-lover uses or what beans they like, take the stress of decision making out of the equation by getting them a pre-filled coffee gift basket. Choose your size and mix, here are some suggested pre-packed coffee gifts they’ll love:

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Coffee-Related Décor and Gifts

Your ardent coffee drinker is undoubtedly happy to express their love for the beautiful bean in many ways. Here are some more sentimental and unique gift ideas for your coffee lover.

Coffee Lover Necklace

Looking for something a little different for the coffee lover? Then opt for a cute piece of jewellery. Why not try a coffee bean-shaped pendant or opt for this fun one in the shape of the caffeine molecule? It’s truly unique and the perfect stocking stuffer to bring a smile!

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Fun Coffee T-shirt/Sweatshirt

The perfect statement piece for true coffee enthusiasts! This stylish t-shirt features clever coffee-themed graphics and witty caffeine-inspired phrases showing their passion for the perfect brew. Made from soft, comfortable fabric, it’s an ideal casual gift that lets them proudly wear their coffee love.

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We hope you’ve found that perfect gift for the coffee-lover on your Christmas Shopping list!

Mixing and Measuring Your Home-Made Cocktails

Broadly speaking, you need one vessel for shaking cocktails and one for stirring.

Generally, cocktails based on citrus, cream, egg white, or similar ingredients are normally shaken, while spirit-forward cocktails such as martinis should be stirred.

So what equipment will you need?

A Cocktail Shaker

There are two types of cocktail shakers – a Cobbler Shaker and a Boston Shaker.

The easier of the two for amateurs at home to master is the Cobbler Shaker. The Boston Shaker can take a little practice but works wonderfully for theatrics once you get the hang of it!

Mixing Glass

For your stirred drinks, you’ll want a dedicated mixing glass.

A Jigger

While you might be comfortable free-pouring single spirits, measurements in cocktail recipes are far more important, so you’ll want to be accurate.

You may not know its technical name, but I am sure you know it by sight: a Jigger is a small double-ended measuring cup.

Cocktail Stirring Spoons

You will want something long to maneuver around the ice for any stirring recipes, so a proper Barmen’s Spoon will be handy.

Cocktail Muddler

Ok, come on, get all those giggly jokes out of your system, ladies – yes, this rather ah, phallic-looking implement is going to be your best friend, especially if there are any mojito lovers in the house.

Tools For Serving Your Cocktails

So now you’ve shaken or stirred your cocktail, what tools do you need to present it?

Cocktail Strainers

This is how you get your drink from the mixing stage to the serving glass stage.

With a Cobbler Shaker, you can easily use the built-in strainer in the lid. However, for mixed drinks or drinks with smaller particles you don’t want to serve up, there are a few different types of strainer to familiarise yourself with:

Hawthorne Strainer—This has a metal coil at the edge and slotted gaps for the liquid to slide through. It should fit snuggly over your shaker tin or mixing glass while you pour it into your serving glass.

Julep Strainer—This slightly fancier contraption uses a wide, bowl-shaped metal plate with holes in it for the cocktail to pour through while restraining the ice cubes.

Fine Strainer—This one looks more like a tea strainer. It is used in addition to the Hawthorne Strainer for shaken drinks.

Juice Extractors

You will want a small juicer to extract juice from freshly squeezed citrus.

A Reamer

Ice Molds

Whilst it’s easy enough to buy large bags of ice cubes these days, which are OK for mixing or shaking your cocktails, for the presentation, you want to step it up a level.

Citrus Peeler

Channel Knife

Metal Cocktail Picks

Forget the plastic. These days, you want to invest in a nice set of reusable cocktail picks.

Tongs

For more lovely concoctions you can make with your newly purchased cocktail kit, head over to our cocktail recipes section here.

In our next installment, we will cover all the basic glassware you need to set up your own home bar.

You can find all our drink supplies and giftware guides here