The Strange History of Pickle Christmas Ornaments

Have you ever seen a pickle ornament at the store or on a Christmas tree and wondered why they seem so much more popular than, say, an apple ornament, a bacon ornament, or any other more prevalent or beloved food item? These pickle ornaments, it turns out, represent a tradition with a somewhat mysterious and disputed origin!

Just type “pickle ornament” into your favorite search engine or online shopping site, and you’re likely to be met with a plethora of pickle paraphernalia–ranging from the ornaments themselves to t-shirts celebrating the tradition. These products usually come with a brief description of the tradition, explaining that it’s an old German custom to hide a pickle ornament in the tree on Christmas Eve, and then on Christmas morning, the first child to spot the pickle gets to open the first present, or (as noted in other ornament packaging) a special extra present from St. Nicholas.

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The problem with this “German” tradition, however, is that Germans don’t know about it! In November 2016, YouGov polled over 2,000 Germans, and found 91 percent of them had never heard of the Weihnachtsgurke, or the Christmas Pickle, tradition. What’s more, German Christmas customs don’t line up with the pickle present timing. In Germany St. Nick comes on December 6th, and German children open gifts on Christmas Eve and not Christmas morning. So if it’s not really a German tradition, where did it actually come from?

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One version of the story calls it a southern U.S. tradition, stemming from the Civil War. The tale goes that a German-born Private of the Union Army, John C. Lower, was captured by the Confederate Army and sent to a prison camp in Andersonville, Georgia. Faring very poorly, he asked a guard for one final wish: a pickle. The guard agreed, and Private Lower got his pickle and bounced back to health—what a superfood! Attributing his good fortune to that pickle, he began the pickle ornament tradition with his family back in Pennsylvania, where it spread to Virginia and the South.

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Related Reading: Traditional Christmas Food Around the World

Another, more sordid, take on the origin of the tradition is rooted with Saint Nicholas, himself. Sometime after 280 AD, three boys sought food and shelter from a butcher, but instead of helping them, he chopped them up and put them in a pickling barrel (rude!). Seven years later, Saint Nicholas came strolling along, realized what had happened, and miraculously brought the boys back to life. This gruesome tale translates to the cutesy tradition of St. Nicholas having an extra present for whoever finds the hidden pickle ornament. Aw!

A final theory for this (possibly) Midwestern U.S. tradition is that an American salesman just made the whole thing up to offload a surplus of pickle ornaments. What makes this theory more interesting, is that, according to the New York Times, a representative from a famed glass ornament region of Germany only found out about the tradition in the 1990s, during a visit to Michigan. Sascha Müller brought the story back to the Lauscha glass center in eastern Germany, and they now make 50,000 pickle ornaments each year to handle the new demand of this not-so-German tradition.

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Whether it stemmed from a dying soldier’s wish, St. Nick resurrecting pickled children, or a good old-fashioned American marketing scheme, there’s no shortage of Christmas pickle ornaments to help you win that bonus present. As for me, I’d like to think we still haven’t found the true origin, likely some secret hidden German village, still undiscovered, still laughing as the world tries to figure out their pickle ornament tradition. Someday we’ll find you, Gurkedorf!

For more festive intel, tips, tricks, and recipes, see our Christmas Guide, and visit our Holiday Headquarters.

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Christmas Dishes Inspired by Christmas Music

There are two kinds of people when it comes to Christmas music: Those who start pumping it in July because waiting for November 1 is far too late, and those who are currently gritting their teeth through the thousandth rendition of “White Christmas” playing on the radio. However you feel about them, once you start to pay attention, you notice a fair number of Christmas songs call attention to various Christmas food items.

So I looked a bit closer at the lyrics of some Christmas classics for culinary inspiration. What I found was a mix of holiday staples, mysteries, and general ideas. If you’re looking for some great Christmas dishes, look no further than your holiday playlist.

Even if the first strains of “Let It Snow” make you feel more like the Grinch, you’ll be soothed by these festive recipes for Christmas food and drink.

“The Christmas Song” – Roasted Chestnuts

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This classic, most famously sung by Nat King Cole, references two holiday favorites: 1) Chestnuts (“roasting on an open fire”); and 2) Turkey. Despite consuming this particular bird at Thanksgiving, a mere month prior, turkey is quite often on the Christmas dinner table too! This means you get another shot at this holiday fowl if you didn’t get your fix in November.

The more interesting items here (at least as far as I’m concerned) are these chestnuts roasting on an open fire. I’ve never had them, but I do love roasted cinnamon-sugar almonds and pecans at the holidays, so I might have to give these a go sometime soon. Get our Pan-Roasted Chestnuts recipe.  

“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” – Candy Cane Simple Syrup

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There are few songs out there that get the Christmas season going like Bing Crosby’s rendition of this song. The holiday food referenced here are candy canes. Here’s where my mind starts to wander! Drinks, pies, cookies, and ice creams can all use candy canes. So, if you’re looking to make a Christmas dessert, try to incorporate candy canes. Think: chocolate sandwich cookies with candy cane buttercream filling. And if you’re looking to make a drink a bit more festive (perhaps for that ugly sweater cocktail party you’re throwing), consider using a candy cane simple syrup. Get our Candy Cane Simple Syrup recipe.

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“Let it Snow” – Caramel Popcorn

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There’s nothing cozier than a heavy winter snowfall during the Christmas season while listening to Dean Martin’s rendition of “Let it Snow.” And if you happen to be in this precise situation, you could do a lot worse than popping up some fresh corn kernels, as the song references. However, instead of a plain old batch of popcorn, consider something a little more special, like caramel corn. Get our Caramel Corn recipe.

Related Reading: This DIY Popcorn Trio Is a Perfect Last-Minute Gift

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – S’mores Pop Tarts

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Andy Williams singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” makes you believe there really is no better time of year than Christmas. You know what helps make that the truth? According to the song, marshmallows! So, if you get inspired by this song and want “marshmallows for toasting,” consider a modern take on an old classic: Get our homemade S’mores Pop Tart recipe. 

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Pumpkin Pie

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This song brings back memories of Kevin McCallister duping Harry and Marv with some ingenious trickery. Put on Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” to get your party feeling fresh, or to convince two burglars that you’re not home alone. You might even see some dancing! And once the dancing is done, you might hope the lyric, “Later we’ll have some pumpkin pie” is true. All that dancing works up an appetite. Pumpkin pie is a holiday standard, but if you’re looking for a recipe, get our Basic Pumpkin Pie recipe.

“Here We Come A-Wassailing”- Spiked Wassail

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Whenever I hear this song, I’m transported back in time, and for an old-timey song like this, you need an old-timey drink. Luckily, the song title gives us just what we need: wassail. I didn’t know what it was until two minutes ago, but this spiced cider is just what the doctor ordered on a cold winter’s night. Oh, and while we’re on the subject of warm Christmas spirits, I’d imagine this is about as close as you’ll get to what Burl Ives means by a “cup of cheer” in “Holly Jolly Christmas.” Get our Slow Cooker Spiked Wassail recipe.

“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” – Figgy Pudding

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This is another tune that takes me to a bygone era, especially when Bing Crosby demands some figgy pudding. I don’t know how it tastes, but it sounds like something Bob Cratchit might have with Tiny Tim (they’d call it Christmas pudding, though). If you’re feeling bold, try this Christmas Pudding recipe.

“The 12 Days of Christmas” – Roast Goose

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This clever tune has all sorts of food possibilities. I’m not sure that’s what the songwriters had in mind, but I’m a food guy (not really a foodie, just a guy that really likes food), so my head goes in that direction if given even the smallest opening. Going through this song, I was struck by the following:

1. A partridge in a pear tree. Hearing this made me think about some sort of pear crisp. If you happen to find some good pears, this dessert could be a welcome alternative to the typical apple and pumpkin pies of the holidays. Get our Gingered Pear Crisp recipe.
2. Three French hens. You know what might be a great switch from turkey? Cornish game hens. This year, at Christmas dinner, it might be worth a try. Get our Cornish Game Hens with Millet Stuffing recipe.
3. Five golden rings. Here’s where I start to use my creativity. Let’s say you’re hosting a cocktail party and you just want to have some appetizers. Five golden onion rings could be a great, 12-Days-of-Christmas-inspired choice. Get our Onion Rings recipe.
4. Six geese-a-laying. Another great alternative to turkey is the more expensive, yet more traditional Christmas goose. I’ve never had goose, but all the old-timey Christmas movie like “A Christmas Carol” show the main characters sitting down to enjoy a special meal featuring a goose. I’d be super impressed if I were served goose for Christmas Eve dinner. Might be worth a shot! Get our Roast Goose recipe.

“We Need A Little Christmas” – Fruitcake

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Johnny Mathis might be onto something when he sings, “We need a little Christmas, right this very minute.” For some, this means indulging in a fruitcake. This filling holiday carb is a love-it-or-hate-it item, but if you’re in the mood to try one, get our Spiced Dark Fruitcake recipe here.

Related Reading: The Secrets to Shockingly Tasty Fruitcake

“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” – Shrimp Scampi

This is kind of an odd one, but when I hear the theme song for our favorite green character who steals Christmas, I think of serving shrimp scampi with spinach (read: green) pasta. Why? Because, according to the song, good ole Mr. Grinch has garlic in his soul! Get our Basic Shrimp Scampi recipe (using spinach pasta, of course). Alternatively, make a sauerkraut sandwich (just skip the toadstools and arsenic sauce and make it a Reuben).

“It’s a Marshmallow World” – Homemade Marshmallows

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This one might seem simple, uninspired, or lacking creativity, but sometimes, you go with a classic. Whenever I hear this song, which references marshmallows and whipped cream, I think of hot chocolate. Why? Because marshmallows and whipped cream are perfect accompaniments for this warm, sweet beverage. Make your own whipped cream, make hot chocolate from scratch, and get our Vanilla Marshmallow recipe for good measure.

“The Nutcracker” – Sugar Plums

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This higher-brow Christmas masterpiece by Tchaikovsky features numerous foods: chocolate, coffee, tea, candy canes, marzipan, and ginger. But the highest profile Christmas goodie is the sugar plum, thanks to the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. If you care to involve another one of your senses while listening to/watching “The Nutcracker Suite,” maybe you’ll want to try some sugar plums to see if the taste matches the tune. Try this Sugar Plum recipe.

“Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” – Eggnog

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This goofy tune has one thing going for it: referencing eggnog. Another love-it-or-hate-it holiday staple, eggnog can be served with or without alcohol, depending on what kind of celebration you’re having. Want to make your own eggnog? Get our Best Eggnog recipe. Not a fan of eggnog, but always try it because it’s Christmas and you need to have some? What about using eggnog as an ingredient in something like eggnog french toast? Christmas morning may never be the same! Get our Eggnog French Toast recipe.

Whether you’re planning an upscale cocktail party, a lower-brow ugly sweater party, a post-midnight mass breakfast, or a full-blown Christmas dinner, you hopefully now have some Christmas-music-inspired dishes/drinks to serve your guests. For the most clever among us, you might even have enough to make a Christmas playlist that perfectly complements your menu. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good meal!

See our Ultimate Guide to Christmas Dinner for more, and visit our Holiday Headquarters.

Related Video: The Ultimate Holiday Present Cake

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Chowhound Christmas Gift Guide 2019: The Best Gourmet Food and Drink Gifts

With only one week until Christmas Eve, your Christmas shopping days are numbered—but there are still many great food and drink gifts you can buy online!

If you’re still not quite sure where to start, we have suggestions for the perfect present for your best friend, favorite family member, co-worker, good neighbor, or mere acquaintance. From delicious individual food and drink gift ideas to ongoing food and beverage subscriptions and even kitchen tools to help your food-loving friends and fam make great meals at home, we’ve picked the best Christmas presents for all sorts of palates, personalities, and situations.

Related Reading: The Best Holiday Stress Relief Gifts for Yourself (or Someone Else)

And we’ve updated all of our gourmet food and drink gift guides to reflect current prices and availability. Click a link below to jump to a specific category or just keep scrolling to see them all!

• Gourmet Food Gifts
• Gourmet Drink Gifts
• Kitchen Gadgets, Tools & Cookware
• Cookbooks

Last-Minute Christmas Gifts

Under-$25 Gifts You Can Still Order on Amazon — updated

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If you have Prime, you can still snag these budget-friendly gifts in time! See the best under-$25 Christmas gifts you can get on Amazon.

Under-$70 Amazon Kitchen Items You Can Still Get for Christmas — updated

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If you have a bit more wiggle room in your budget, these chic kitchen items from Amazon will come just in the nick of time too, and all are under $70. See the best Amazon kitchen Christmas presents you can still order.

Gourmet Food Gifts

Sweet Gifts for Chocolate Fanatics — updated

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From off-the-charts chocolate confections to charming chocolate items you can’t actually eat, these are the best Christmas gifts for chocolate lovers.

Oprah’s Favorite Things on Amazon for 2019 — updated

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She’s back, and she’s picked some amazing products as usual, including plenty of food gifts, kitchenware, and home items! Yes, there are some splurges, but many of these are totally affordable. Check out Oprah’s Favorite Things on Amazon for 2019.

Gifts for Food-Loving Families — updated

Sur La Table

Know a tight-knit clan that lives in the kitchen? Treat them to one of these family-friendly options that’ll bring them even more joy at meal time. See our favorite Christmas gifts for families that love food.

Gifts for Meat Lovers to Sink Their Teeth Into — updated

Sur La Table

Know a true meathead (in the nicest way possible)? Check out the best Christmas gifts for meat lovers on your list.

Super Secret Santa Gifts (That You Can Eat) — updated

Amazon

These delicious gifts are great for present swaps at the office, but also perfect for lots of other people on your list. See our favorite Secret Santa food gifts, from chocolate to hot sauce.

Holly Jolly Host & Hostess Gifts for Holiday Parties — updated

Food52

Invited to a party? Don’t show up empty handed. Take an expert’s advice on the best holiday host and hostess gifts to bring with you, including lots of edible (and drinkable) options.

Charming Etsy Food Gifts — updated

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It is possible to support small businesses and still shop online. Check out these great Etsy food gifts for Christmas.

Great Gifts for Acquaintances — updated

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Shopping for your close friends and family can be a trial, but picking a gift for someone you only sort of know is even harder. That’s why we collected some things practically anyone would love. See our picks for best gifts for neighbors, friends of friends, and acquaintances.

Hot Gifts for Spice Fiends — updated

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Have a hot head on your list? These gifts are *fire emoji* (aka, perfect for them). See our picks for the Best Gifts for Hot Sauce Lovers.

Gourmet Stocking Stuffers Under $10 — updated

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Looking for a little something? These stocking stuffers are all under $10 (most under $5), and sure to please any food or wine fan. See our Favorite Stocking Stuffers Under $10.

Vegan-Friendly Food Gifts — updated

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Vegans love food gifts too, but you have to be careful about what you buy (hidden honey, animal-based gelatin, and other non-plant-based ingredients can crop up where you don’t expect them). To take the guess work out, we rounded up the Best Vegan Food Gifts to give.

Best Gifts for Healthy Eaters — updated

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Got a friend who loves to eat, but puts a premium on healthy habits? See our Chowhound Gift Guide 2019: Best Gifts for Food Lovers Who Are Also Health Nuts.

Great Gift Ideas for Cheese Lovers — updated

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Curd nerds, cheddar heads, and brie fiends will all melt for these delightfully cheesy gifts. See our Chowhound Gift Guide 2019: Best Gifts for Cheese Lovers.

Unique Food and Drink Experiences — updated

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From cooking classes and culinary cruises to fun food museum tickets, these gifts are great for every type of food lover on your list, and the memories will last forever. See the Chowhound Gift Guide to Best Food and Drink Experiences.

Related Reading: Our Favorite Eatwith Food Experiences Around the World

Star Gifts for “The Great British Baking Show” Fans — updated

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Even those who still aren’t over losing Mary, Mel, and Sue will cheer up when they unwrap these showstoppers. See our Chowhound Gift Guide 2019: Gifts for Fans of “The Great British Baking Show”.

15 Under-$15 Food Gifts Hand-Picked For You

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Our executive editor picked out 15 amazing under-$15 gifts for every food lover on your list (and OK, one is $16, but it’s too adorable to pass up)! See the best food gifts under $15.

Homemade Food Gifts You Can Make No Matter What Your Skills

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A homemade gift is always extra-special, and often a lot more affordable for the giver too. These easy homemade food gifts would make anyone smile this season.

Edible Advent Calendars for 2019

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It’s a little late to get your advent calendars, but if you can still find some of these in your local stores, you can just do the days you missed all at once! See our picks for the Best Food and Drink Advent Calendars for 2019.

Better-Than-Homemade Goodies You Can Order Online

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Whether you need dessert for your own holiday table or want to show someone love via baked goods, these cakes, cookies, pies, and more can be delivered nationwide. See the Chowhound Gift Guide 2019: Best Mail Order Cookies, Cakes, Pies, and Treats to Order Online.

Gourmet Drink Gifts

Best Beer Clubs and Beer Subscription Box Gift Ideas

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If you want to treat the suds lover in your life to an ongoing subscription, they’ll love you for it. See our Best Beer Clubs and Subscription Boxes guide.

Festive Craft Beers for Gifting — updated

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If you’d rather put a bow on an actual bottle (or six), check out the best holiday craft beers to give.

Best Wine Subscriptions to Give as Gifts

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A nice bottle by itself is a great gift, but a wine subscription is the ultimate present for your favorite oenophile. See CNET’s Best Wine Subscriptions guide.

“Grape” Wine Gifts You Can Wrap — updated

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Still, if you want something you can actually wrap up and tie with a bow, try these charming (and useful) wine gadgets and gifts on for size instead. See our picks for best gifts for wine lovers (and don’t forget these other fun wine accessories).

Decanters We Can’t Get Enough Of — updated

Sur La Table

Know a wine or whiskey drinker who deserves to sip in style? Get them one of these fun and functional decanters.

Chic Bar Cart Gifts Under $100 — updated

Food52

From lots of fun and thoughtful little extras to a couple of affordable bar carts themselves, these gifts are perfect for your favorite cocktail fan (with some picks for wine lovers and mocktail mixologists too). And there’s something for every budget, with nothing topping $100. See our Best Home Bar Gifts.

The Best Coffee Subscriptions to Gift Your Favorite Java Fiend

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Whether your favorite coffee fanatic is into fair trade, trendy drinks, maximum efficiency, or just good old espresso, there’s an ideal coffee subscription to give them (even one for dog lovers!). Check out our picks for Best Coffee Subscriptions.

Kitchen Gadgets & Tools

The Best Big-Ticket Kitchen Gadgets & Cookware to Give — updated

Mealthy

These kitchen tools, gadgets, and appliances are great gifts for anyone just starting to outfit a kitchen or in need of an upgrade (and anyone who’s been dreaming of an Instant Pot or air fryer but hasn’t gotten one yet). See our picks for the best cookware and kitchen appliances to give.

Global Kitchen Gifts for Internationally Inspired Cooks — updated

Sur La Table

For those who love cooking international cuisine, the proper tools and pantry items can come in handy. See some of our favorite international kitchen gadgets for global cuisine and cooking.

8 Great Affordable Knives to Gift — updated

Brigade Kitchen

Good knives are absolutely essential in the kitchen, and any of these will make you look sharp. See the best affordable knives for 2019.

Tools That Make a Cook’s Life Easier — updated

Sur la Table

These kitchen tools are on a smaller scale but will still prove infinitely useful to any cook. Check out our favorite kitchen gadgets and tools to give.

The Best Dutch Ovens for Every Type of Cook

Sur la Table

Everyone needs a Dutch oven—they can do so much, and they look so good. These are our 10 favorite Dutch ovens of the year; they’ll hold up forever and make their new owner happy for a lifetime. See the best Dutch ovens of 2019.

Sizzling Skillets to Wrap Up This Year

Sur la Table

A skillet is an absolute kitchen essential, and if you know someone who could use a new, high-quality pan, these are our favorites in every price range. See our picks for the best skillets of 2019.

Cookware Sets for Every Budget

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If you’re feeling generous and want to outfit a lucky cook with the works, we also picked out the best cookware sets for a range of budgets and preferences. See our collection of the best cookware sets of 2019.

The Best Direct-to-Consumer Cookware Brands to Buy

Made In

In a whole other category, direct-to-consumer cookware brands offer great quality, often-stunning looks, and competitive prices as well; the only caveat is that you have to buy them online—but most of us already do that anyway. Browse the best direct-to-consumer cookware brands and pieces of 2019.

Cookbooks

The Best New Cookbooks for 2019

There’s a slew of new cookbooks that have come out this fall (with a few more on the way) that are perfect for gift-giving season, whether your recipient’s a baker, a keto devotee, or a “Star Wars” fan. See our Favorite New Cookbooks for 2019.

The Best Holiday Cookbooks for a Truly Happy Season

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These titles, both new and classic, will help you celebrate in style—with less stress—from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. Check out The Best Holiday Cookbooks.

Pop Culture Cookbooks for Movie & TV Fans — updated

Amazon

If you know a home cook who’s also a major “Downton Abbey,” Star Wars,” or “Supernatural” fan, you’re in luck. Here are the best new movie and TV cookbooks to give as gifts.

Meaty Reads for Carnivorous Cooks — updated

Amazon

Know a committed carnivore who loves to cook? See our picks for The Best Meat Cookbooks.

Toast-Worthy Wine Reads — updated

Amazon

For wine lovers who thirst for knowledge about their favorite grapes and those who want to cook with the good stuff, check out The Best Wine Books and Cookbooks.

Eye-Opening Books for Coffee Lovers — updated

Amazon

From cookbooks to coffee manuals, these titles are sure to give any java fan a jolt of pleasure. See the Best Books for Coffee Lovers.

Best Books to Give to Bakers — updated

Amazon

From classic tomes to brand new baking books, these make great holiday gifts (but would also be a huge help to you during holiday baking season). See the Best Baking Books to Give as Gifts.

Global Cookbooks for World Travelers — updated

Amazon

These international cookbooks let you go globetrotting in your own kitchen and help satisfy a little wanderlust along with simple belly hunger. See the Best Travel Cookbooks for International Cuisine.

See our sister sites’ tech gift guides, gaming gift guides, fashion and beauty gift guides, TV gift guides, and Rachael Ray’s gift guides, for more.

Related Video: Insta-Infusions Are an Ingenious DIY Holiday Gift

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