12 Kitchen Essentials for The Holidays
These are my top 12 Kitchen Essentials for The Holidays, when it come to cooking.
As the holidays are looming closer, I alway take stock of what I have to make sure that all my kitchen essentials are in good working order. These are my top 12 Kitchen Essentials for The Holidays, when it come to cooking. Since I tend to be the primary cook in my family these days, I have to make sure that I have everything I need to recreate that quintessential holiday dinner my friends and family have come to expect. For that reason I decided to release a list of some of my favorite cooking tools in the kitchen. For simplicity and as a time saving measure I have added links so you can order them too, if you wish. They also make the perfect wedding or holiday gift, and I am positive that any of the items on list would delight even the pickiest chief.
*Please note that this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. These involve no extra cost to you, but may result in me receiving a small commission – for which I am very grateful! You can view my full advertising disclosure here.
#1 Stand Mixer
This is by far one of the most important things to have in your kitchen. I use mine all the time, of course I do not have this lovely copper one seen below, since it recently just came out. I assure you, that if I were to buy a brand new one, this one would be the one I would get. I do, however, have the Matte Black Professional Series which has the same 5 quart stainless steel bowl; along with the very useful attachments and 10 mixing speeds which ensure that I can select the right speed for any task.
Kitchen Aid KitchenAid Custom Metallic Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer KSM152PS
#2 Rubber Spatulas
Ya’ll, I use my spatulas for everything in the kitchen, you name it I have probably done it with these bad boys. These are heat-resistant silicone which is perfect for all stirring and sautéing, and won’t scratch up your professional grade pans. The flexible edge is great for scraping down the sides of mixing bowls, and the sturdy handle has a nice grip while mixing, unlike those plastic ones. 
Tovolo Flex-Core Wood Handled Spatula, Easy Clean, Removable Head, Heat Resistant, White
#3 Roasting Pan
#4 Electric Knife
#5 Durable Oven Mitts
Okay, I will admit these are not the highest quality oven mitts known to man, but they are affordable, wash up great, and come in variety of colors. I don’t feel bad at all when I burn them up, or stick the thumb in a casserole on accident. I can just throw them away and replacing them seasonally. Currently I have them in black which for me have held up pretty well, as far as stains go, because apparently I stick my thumbs in all my casserole on a regular basis. 
#6 Whip Cream Maker/Dispenser
This is one of the most useful things in my kitchen. Yes it is a little pricey, but to me the ability to be able to make my own homemade, sugar free, pure organic fresh whip cream, is priceless. I am totally surprised more people do not have them, especially with all the food allergies and health conditions out there. It uses N20 cartridges (sold separately) to create swirls of whipped cream, frostings, soup, soft cheese, pastry cream, jellies and more, if you have dreams of being a chef this one tool separates the men from the boys. You can add Gourmet Injectors (sold separately) to use the Gourmet Whip for filling pastries, poultry and more. Crafted of dishwasher-safe brushed stainless steel and it has a Hygienic airtight system, HACCP qualified.
Professional Whipped Cream Maker
#7 Silpat
#8 The Nutmeg Grinder
I personally think that nutmeg tastes best when it’s freshly grated, not store bought. A little bit of this aromatic spice goes a long way. Tis the season, if you don’t have one, give yourself a treat. This one is easier and safer to use than handheld graters, like the one I have. The simple hand-crank operation, for finely grated fresh nutmeg in the desired amount and the top doubles as a storage compartment for whole nutmegs.
#9 Color Coded Cutting Boards
I do not own this exact set currently, but this is the set I have on order to replace my older cutting boards that have seen better days. Color coded for food safety to avoid cross contamination, which I am pretty big about in the kitchen. This 4-piece set and holder enables you to store your boards without giving up counter or shelf space. They are a good size at 11¼ x 7¼ x 1¼ and are dishwasher safe, which is great since I put everything in the dishwasher.
NATICO Natico Executive Chef Multi Color Cutting Board Set
#10 Pyrex Bake Ware with Lids
I purchased this set for myself almost 20 years ago and I love it! This also makes a great wedding gift, and I have been known to buy this for a couple whether or not it is on the registry. Easy-carry handles on the oblong and square pans give you more to grip, making them easier to pick up and transport, and plastic lids lets you easily store leftovers. Perfect for all my holiday cooking, just put a lid on it and toss it in refrigerator. It is non-porous glass won’t absorb food odors, flavors or stains and it’s contemporary design goes from oven to table in style.
Pyrex 19-pc. Bake and Prep Set
#11 A Ring Holder
Waterford ‘Lismore’ Lead Crystal Square Ring Holder
#12 Thick Bar Mops
You can never have to many of these guys around especially during the holidays. These bar mops are made of top-quality ribbed cotton terry, these towels absorb like a sponge. They’re so handy for mopping up spills that occur, and they air-dry quickly, so the towels are ready to use again in no time. They are 18″ x 16″ and come in sets of four. These are a Williams Sonoma exclusive, which are by far more superior than any other bar mop I have ever used and they wash up great and tend to release stains easily, I know I was impressed. 
Williams Sonoma Bar Mop Towels & Dishcloths, Set of 4
A few other posts your might find interesting especially if you want to do a few quick kitchen upgrades before the holidays? Check out our 5 Budget Friendly Upgrades.
SHOP MY STYLE
WALL PAINT- Agreeable Gray Sherwin Williams TRIM PAINT- Pure White Sherwin Williams FLOORS- Mohawk 3″Forrest Lake Oak Color: Oxford CABINETS- Georgetown Maple (Color- white) COUNTERTOP-Polished Carrara Marble OVENS- 27″ Double Wall Ovens Kitchen Aid BACKSPLASH- 3×6 Gloss White Subway Tile Interceramic BARSTOOLS- Allen Barstool Ballard Designs ISLAND PENDENTS- Addie Pendents Ballard Designs MIXER- Kitchen Aid Professional 6 SPICE RACK- Kamenstein Heritage 16-Jar Revolving Countertop Spice Rack with Free Spice Refills for 5 Years BLENDER- Oster 004270-615-NP0 Beehive Blender – Stainless TOASTER-Hamilton Beach Classic Chrome COFFEE MAKER- Keurig 2.0 575 CUTTING BOARDS- Teak Cutting Board – Rectangle End Grain Butcher Block (24 x 18 x 1.5 in.) – By Teakhaus
nice list! i geek out about kitchen supplies! I’ve been eyeing that mixer for a while
I use every single one of these things! All are wonderful! I think I would die without my kitchen aid mixer tho.
Great list! I have most of these already, just missing the nutmeg grinder (I use a microplane zester) and the whip cream dispenser 😉
3 years ago I bought a stand mixer after hearing over and over again that it was life changing for bakers. I was so skeptical, but I made all of our families bread and the kneading was a lot of work! After I bought it, I was still like- “do I really need this??”. After a couple months, I realized that I couldn’t live without it and if it ever dies, I will buy a new one that week.
Rachel I am so on the same page as you, in my twenties I though I will never used this, Now I breaking it out at least once a week and it has a proud place of honor on my kitchen counter.:)
Just in time for the holidays! All very useful! Thank you for sharing!
As a food blogger these tools will make my life so much easier! Thanks for sharing !
This list is fantastic! I personally couldn’t live without my kitchenaid mixer. And I would LOVE to have an electric knife and whipped cream dispenser! These would also make for a great list for engaged couples setting up their registry! Happy Holidays in the kitchen!
I have most of these and they are definitely a life saver! And time! Lol…great post!
Oh, that kitchen aid is so on top of my still-must-haves-list! Love the design
regardless of the season, i think #5 is necessary and will actually will look into this as mine does not last long enough
Now I want to go shopping. I need to invest in some better baking supplies especially the stand mixer. I have read up about it . I think it is an awesome investment.
Great list. I could not survive without my Kitchen Aid and I have the color coded cutting board, highly recommend them to anyone looking for a new set!
I love to cook and theses are all really great ideas for gifts. I would love to have the copper kitchen aid mixer it is beautiful. I currently only have a hand mixer but I think I would benefit greatly for a larger stand mixer, so put in a good word with the mister.
This is a perfect gift list for the cooks in your life. Ehmmm like me…. can you send this to my husband 🙂
This is a great holiday gift guide for the gourmet cook in your life or just a mom that likes to bake, perfect my friend. Do you own all of these things? If so you are so lucky.
Hi Phylicia thanks for stopping by and leaving me a little note. To answer your question, Yes I already own all of these items, and I LOVE THEM!!! Please know that my honest review of these essentials come from all the great use I get out of my kitchen. I just wanted to share some of my favorite things to make the baking season easier for my followers and tell you guys all about the items I find myself reaching for on a daily basis. 🙂
You have compiled a great list of kitchen essentials. I would love any of these items under my Christmas tree this year.
This is a very comprehensive list that your have accumulated here. I agree that all of these items would make and chef or hobby bakery so happy.
Of course, what a splendid website and educative posts, I will bookmark your website.All the Best!
There is noticeably a bundle of great thing here to find out about. I assume you made certain these are all high quality products since you use them all in your own home, I always get some of the best purchases this way.
How neat! I really need this sil-pat. I guess that is how you make baking look easy.
You undoubtedly surpassed our expectations great list of must haves. Thank you for rendering the invaluable, dependable, educational and as well as easy thoughts on your topic.
This is such a helpful post, I know I prefer to purchase things that are tried and true from other bloggers that just love them, not sponsored to promote them.
Can I simply say what a relief it is to find somebody who truly knows what they are talking about on the internet. You definitely know easy methods to deliver top notch cooking techniques through having the proper tools. More people need to learn this and understand this facet of the story and how it will make their lives easier in the kitchen. You undoubtedly have the gift of blogging.
There are some attention-grabbing items you have listed here. I love the whip cream dispenser, talk about organic and fresh! Good article, thanks for sharing all your favorites. We would like to see more of this kind of post. Added to FeedBurner as effectively
Great list, love the whip cream dispenser, and that pyrex what a great call, no foil needed easy clean up. Thank you for all the great kitchen items and the review!
Fantastic list I agree with all of your choices. I can not live with out my kitchen aid mixer on my lidded pyrex both amazing tools. However I will have to check out that whipped cream dispenser I could see myself using it pretty regularly.
very good publish, i definitely love this web site, please be sure to carry on it
I have to express my thanks I alway love a good article about kitchen essential and you have many of my favorites plus a few I have never seen before but really want to try.
I must convey my respect for your knowledge on all these great kitchen gadgets. I know my mixer is my favorite things but your whip cream maker, sounds very interesting, and a healthy way to cutout the extra sugar. Perfect!
Great list I used about half of these things already but I am interested in the Sil pat and the Whip Cream maker, both very impressive.
I have already been digesting the good helpful tips on your website today. Thank you for genuinely very helpful product reviews as well as for choosing varieties of notable things individuals should really be aware of.
I have to get me one of those whip cream makers, that is freaking brilliant. No sugar whip cream, and fresh the day you make it and then you can store it with out it getting runny. Love it!
I must express my love for your blog and taste in kitchen essential. We are right there together in what we like.
I love you list of essentials you have some very modern things I have not used before, like that whip cream maker, I really like that since my husband is dibetiac we must watch his sugar intake, and this would be a great way to add in whipped cream again with out all the work. Plus it is easy storage too.
I enjoy you because of your own effort on this web page. Gloria (who comments all the time)is my mother in law. She takes pleasure in going through it regularly and it is easy to see why. Most people know all about the dynamic manner you provide very helpful tips via this blog and therefore increase contribution from website visitors about this content while her favorite daughter is without question discovering a great deal. You’re the one carrying out a terrific job.
I precisely needed to thank you so much once again. I love to read bloggers opinions of essential items, to see if they really align with my views. I must say yours are a close match, I own most of the items and also love them. I did see a few that are new to me, like the whip cream dispenser in particular, it really peeked my interest. Now that I know you are 100% speaking from a place of truth not just trying to sell me something, I will be keeping a closer eye on items that you recommend.
I wanted to type a quick note to be able to express gratitude to you for these nice kitchen tools that you are placing on this site. I feel really happy to have discovered the your blog and I look forward to plenty of more awesome reads here. Thanks a lot!
Oh you know how I love a good list, and it is for the kitchen double bonus!
I think we have the same list, girl we must be separated at birth. LYLAS!
Great post I love all of these kitchen essentials, and there are a few I need to pick up!
I love the silpada sheets they are a bakers lifesaver.
This is a great holiday kitchen essential list, so I added your to our shoppers list, as you’ll see it’s bigger than most of them. I hope you all have had a great week!
Very good list I would buy everything on it.
This is a great guide to holidays with all the essentials you would need to host any good event.
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