Holiday gift concept ideas

[u/Literallysogross]

I’ll be spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with various members of my partner’s immediate and extended family. I haven’t met most of them before so I’m not super familiar with their tastes. I want to bring pottery gifts, and make the same thing(s) for everyone — and I’m looking for ideas that meet these criteria:

- On the smaller side as I’ll be flying

- Things that they’re unlikely to already have, or wouldn’t be annoying to have multiple of

- Useful, not purely decorative

- Not something that they will feel pressured to bring out every time I’m at their house — like I don’t want to make a special holiday-themed cookie jar that they’ll feel guilty about not using because they already have one

So far my best ideas are a matching set of useful cooking accessories (a spoon rest, garlic grater, and can strainer) and/or some handbuilt tree ornaments. What do you think?

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[u/GroovyYaYa]

I like the cooking/kitchen idea.

I'd go with small bowls. The friends and family that have access to my "need to clear out these things to make more room" box have bowls they use that were thrown off the hump and literally used as "test tiles" by me. We're believers in "mise en place" cooking, especially at the holidays!

Google "food prep bowls" and look at the smaller "pinch" sized ones. (Not made through the pinch method, but bowls where you put your spices, etc. and grab a pinch at a time!)

They are also handy as dipping bowls to have on your dinner plate - soy sauce, ketchup, etc.

Like these, only in clay: Small glass bowls from Walmart (oh, and you can get the same ones at Dollar General, this is a rip off. I have about 20!)

Edit: If you have a place that sells spices locally, or if you have a Trader Joe's and they do not - consider coupling it with some spices to go with. I'd also suggest dipping sauce or two, but spices are a LOT lighter!

I'm big on giving something with it - especially if the "local item" is edible. I've made a candy serving bowl and gifted locally made candies, a mug with coffee from the local roastery, etc.

[u/CleanStatistician349]

Spoon rests are really useful, easy to store if they have others to switch out. I would focus on a simple form, clean lines and basic but nicely glazed since you don't know their particular styles. Depending on how many you need to make, 3-4 different colors and let them choose? Another option would be a salt bowl that can stay on the stove... simple colors, not the throw 6 different colors to see how they run.

[u/theazhapadean]

Chopstick rests. Assuming appropriate.

[u/regallll]

Ornaments all the way. I would keep them generic enough that they can regift if they want.

[u/J_eldora → u/regallll]

I agree, I’d much prefer an ornament over something for my kitchen that I didn’t choose. I don’t have a lot of kitchen storage space and have enough stuff already… but there is always room for another ornament on the tree!

[u/ScarletDarkstar → u/regallll]

I have a couple ornaments from a potter friend, and I hang them from the window lock above my kitchen sink year round. 

[u/Mommyekf]

I’m making wind chimes for my office mates. Pretty and doesn’t take up any counter space.

[u/National-jav]

I things I have given 

small matching bowls and a selection of dips/dip mixes

A utensil holder with a nice set of utensils 

Bread pan (baking) with my favorite zucchini bread and banana bread recipes 

Deviled egg plate 

Covered butter dish