Last-Minute Gifts You Can Buy At The Grocery Store

There are arguably two types of people: those who take pride in their sharp set of cooking knives and those who have, at best, a couple of blunt knives in the kitchen. If you're dealing with someone who has very specific needs when it comes to their kitchen utensils, you might want to skip over this idea. However, for anyone else, a brand new kitchen knife is always appreciated.

If you have access to a grocery store with a home and kitchen department, then you should be able to find at least a couple of good options. It could be a single chef's knife, a butcher's block, or perhaps a nice set of steak knives. Choosing the right knife for the giftee will be easier if you've had the chance to eat or cook at their house. It's hard to forget trying to cut through a steak with a butter knife or turning tomatoes into pulp while attempting to slice them. Although Knife Wear says that certain superstitions warn against gifting knives, most people will be glad to receive the useful piece of kitchenware.

For many people, olive oil is a staple in the kitchen, while other home cooks may avoid it due to its elevated cost. Both will be pleased to receive a quality bottle of olive oil, and you can be sure that they will use it. Though it might feel like a basic ingredient, opting for the best product your grocery store stocks can be a huge upgrade. Unless you're shopping at a high-end gourmet shop, you won't break the bank, yet you will be gifting something that most people appreciate but don't buy for themselves.

Whether you choose an oil that works well for finishing a dish or for cooking it, a high-quality bottle of olive oil is sure to put a smile on your loved one's face. Plus, olive oil comes in a wide variety of styles, so you can choose a unique offering. If you want to add something extra to complete the gift, a crusty baguette or other bakery bread is the perfect complement to sample the flavors of the olive oil.

The delicious flavor in many recipes often comes down to a carefully crafted balance of spices. Pre-made packets of artisanal spice blends are a great idea to gift to people who love cooking, and they're easy enough to use for those who are less motivated. Although spices can be intimidating for beginner home cooks, receiving a mixed blend made for certain dishes or cooking styles may result in inspiration to try something new. Alternatively, you could choose a handful of your favorite spices and gift them along with a few recipe ideas to put them to good use.

You may want to try selecting less familiar blends such as furikake, a sweet and salty Japanese blend, za'atar, which is common in Middle Eastern cuisine, or ras el hanout, an earthy blend from North Africa. Or, if you're gifting spices to an individual only just beginning their foray into the world of cooking, a basic set of elemental spices such as ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, black peppercorns, or chili powder is a great place to start.

Whether you choose to include a wooden cutting board or not, gifting the makings of a cheese board will be well-received by most people (aside from those following a vegan or dairy-free diet). While you won't have quite the same selection as you would at a gourmet cheese shop, grocery store cheese can take you far. You'll want to follow a few basic guidelines, such as choosing different textures (creamy, firm, crumbly), intensities (mild or sharp), and varying flavor profiles (classics mixed with funky options).

With as little as three types of cheese, you already have a decent selection. Adjust the quantities depending on whether you are bringing the cheese to consume immediately or as a gift for later. Sticking to a few nice wedges is already a lovely gift, but if you want to take it up a notch, throw in a loaf of bread or a box of fancy crackers. You can also add extra items, such as marinated olives, pickles, nuts, dried and fresh fruit, and jellies, to the board. Depending on the size of the gift, you may want to throw in a bottle of wine for the ultimate gourmet spread.

Hot sauce isn't a gift for everyone on your list, but any spice lover will rejoice upon receiving a brand new assortment. Head to the condiment aisle in your grocery store and scoop up a mix-and-match spread. If you are well-acquainted with the options available, be sure to share your favorites. If everything looks unfamiliar, the sauces might also be novel to whomever you are gifting them to, and they're sure to enjoy the discovery.

Deciding on the best hot sauce is certainly subjective, so opt for a variety to fire up your giftee's palate. Be sure to pick up any products that are locally made, and extra points go to bottles with fun labels. One option is to aim for hot sauces made in different regions around the world to infuse the gift with a bit of wanderlust. Alternatively, see how many varieties of chili peppers you can cover. Gear Patrol lists plenty of inspiring options, including sauces made from habanero, ghost, California reaper, jalapeño, and scotch bonnet peppers. Seek out unique ingredients such as fruits and other spices for the ultimate envy-inducing hot sauce collection.

While chocolate might not be the most unique present out there, very few people would turn their nose up at receiving it. Supermarket selections will certainly vary, but opt for the best quality you can find. Whether you purchase a finely made bar from specially sourced beans or a box of Ferrero Rocher, chocolate is an easy win.

Ethically sourced fair trade products are increasingly easy to find at grocery stores around the country, meaning that you can gift chocolate and feel good about it all around. Plus, the variety of options is endless, ranging from chocolate-covered fruits, salty add-ins, creamy truffles, or hearty bars. While many people like chocolate, you should be mindful about what kind of chocolate you're choosing at your local grocery store. Be sure to consider the recipient, their tastes, and any sweets you've seen them consume when you're picking something out for them.

Following the warm drink theme, coffee and tea are certainly high on the list of grocery store gifts your loved ones will appreciate. Before you buy this gift, it's a good idea to find out whether the recipient tends to drink coffee or tea on the regular. However, even if they don't, they might appreciate having a drink that they can serve when guests visit. The selection will vary largely depending on your grocery store, and you may be able to find local products to make your gift that much more meaningful.

If you've got a Starbucks lover on your hands, buying them a couple of bags of beans will save them time in the drive-thru line. For ultimate freshness, buying whole coffee beans is your best bet (you'll have to hope that the recipient has a grinder). If you can't opt for ground, choose a quality brand that carries pre-ground beans. Illy is a solid choice. As for tea, box sets with a mixed variety of flavors are a good way to avoid landing on the wrong type of tea. Similarly, herbal teas are a suitable option if you aren't sure whether your giftee is fond of caffeine.

It's easy to get stuck in a funk when buying groceries, but a creative approach can transform a simple dish into a fun evening. Why not pick up the makings for a globally inspired dish that will turn the recipient's dinner into a quick international trip? Set up a gift pack with the makings of an Italian dinner for two. Spaghetti, tomato sauce, Parmesan, and olive oil will all keep for some time, so your giftee won't feel pressured to cook that night. If you know they usually eat dinner at home, you could include fresher ingredients such as pizza dough, shredded cheese, and toppings for a fun pizza night.

If you're not sure where their culinary heart lies, make up a basket with fun condiments and ingredients used in specific types of cuisine. Rachael Ray loves stocking up on hoisin sauce, gochujang, miso, and nori leaves for an Asian-inspired feast, while tahini and za'atar are perfect if you're channeling the Middle East. Coconut milk and Thai curry paste are ideal if Southeast Asia is calling you — the options are endless.

If you're rushing for a last-minute gift to bring to a social event, showing up with dessert is sure to put you in your host's good books. All the same, there's a fine line between showing up with a vacuum-sealed shelf-stable cake and a more appetizing grocery store option. Thankfully, even if your options are limited, there are easy tricks to turn a packaged dessert into something that will be well-received (and taste good).

You can always decorate an ordinary cheesecake with fresh fruit to up the wow factor, not to mention the flavor. Similarly, topping any store-bought pie or cake with whipped cream makes it more enticing. Go a step further and add sprinkles, edible pearls, gold leaf, or flowers. If you opt for cookies, pick a soft, chewy variety and warm them up. No matter what you choose, presenting it on a serving plate will give the illusion of it being fresh out of the oven.