‘Tis the season to buy people a bunch of junk they don’t need just so they have things to open on Christmas morning. The ironic part is that so, so many of these landfill-bound presents are made of plastic, meaning they’ll exist on planet earth literally forever. Listen, I know the last thing you need is to worry about our environmental future when you’re just trying to make it to 2023 in one piece. So think of this list of highly useful and long-lasting kitchen gifts as an antidote to existential anxiety. You’re welcome!
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- Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bag Bundle
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Ziplock baggies are super convenient, but unless you’re washing and reusing them, they’re just another single-use plastic that’ll end up clogging a sea turtle’s intestinal tract or whatever. I live a baggie-free existence thanks to reusable storage bags. These colorful, resealable silicone bags from Stasher are great for on-the-go snacks and leftovers, but you can cook in them too—they’re safe to use in the microwave, oven, and on the stovetop (you can sous vide veggies by tossing a Stasher into a pot of boiling water; who knew?). These are pricey at around ten bucks a bag, but they’ll last forever and you’ll never buy a box of single-use baggies again.
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Swedish Wholesale Swedish Dishcloths
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When I say these are life-changing, I swear I’m not being hyperbolic. Even if you’re a paper-towel addict who hates the idea of using and reusing the same stink-o rag to clean surfaces around the house, I promise you’ll love these. They’re extremely absorbent, heavy duty, easy to clean (I just rinse mine in hot water between uses and throw them into a pot of boiling water for a deep clean once in a while), and they don’t smell musty like towels and rags do. I still buy rolls of paper towels, but I buy a lot fewer of them since I started using these.
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- OXO Good Grips POP Container Set
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OXO makes some of my favorite kitchen tools. They’re ergonomic, handy, and they really last. These OXO dry storage containers, which have a mechanism on top that forces out air and seals the lid, are great for pasta, dry beans, flour, cereal—basically anything you might store for a while but want to keep fresh and free of whatever weird little pests might live in your pantry. They also look really nice on a kitchen counter once they’re filled with lentils, spaghetti, or whatever you might need to store.
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- Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
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When I bought a Lodge dutch oven in 2008 or so, I actually wanted a Le Creuset, but couldn’t justify spending that kind of money on a recent-college-graduate’s salary. I am now a very adult woman and could buy myself Le Creuset if I so desired, but I don’t have to because my Lodge is still in such excellent shape. I’ve purchased these as gifts for people in the past and it feels so good to give something I know they’ll use frequently and for years to come. And who doesn’t love finding a 15-pound box under the tree?
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Breville Smart Toaster Oven
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How is a toaster oven sustainable? Hear me out: I’ve had one of these in my kitchen for around a decade and it’s still kickin’, even though we use it multiple times a day, every day. It’s great for heating leftovers, toasting bread and bagels, and it’s even big enough to accommodate frozen pizzas, which keeps us from having to use our gas oven all the time. (If you don’t have central AC, you know the value of not heating up the whole house just to heat up a pizza.) This was actually a gift from my husband’s sister and brother-in-law, and I think of them whenever we use it. That’s a good gift!
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!