mom2abcd Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Help me shop! Dh's dear, dear aunt is turning 70 and I want to give her a bunch of little things that will make her life easier or just more fun. Is there something you love? We love the Pampered Chef ice cream scoop that warms with the heat of your hand and makes ice cream easier to scoop. (Though that's not an inexpensive little thing...) She loves to embroider. Anything I could get quickly at amazon that would make her life easier? I thought it might be fun to focus on the kitchen and find a bunch of little things like tea bag rests or egg timers or things that would just add joy to her life! She and her dh married late in life and never had children so we like to try to pamper her as we can! Thanks for any ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helena Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Here are some of my favorites: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A5NFQA/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0000Z6JJ6&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0Z3KWH774S3YCS0YKHDD http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-80-11310RD-Red-Silicone-Scraper/dp/B000EN0YHW http://www.amazon.com/Kyocera-3-1-2-Inch-Ceramic-Grater/dp/B0017OCTTS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1273522744&sr=1-1 Here are our fav places to shop for the kitchen: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/ http://www.surlatable.com/ http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/category.jsp?popId=HOME&navAction=middle&navCount=15&isSortBy=true&pushId=HOME-KITCHEN&id=HOME-KITCHEN-GADGETS http://www.crateandbarrel.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Well, I love the Cutco scoop, too. Haven't use the Pampered Chef ones... OXO is a great brand for older people :) (Well, I like 'em too) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 A recent, life-saving addition to my kitchen: onion goggles. I have battled dry eyes since moving to the windy midwest, and I'd gotten to the point that chopping onions was near impossible. These have made it possible to return to my regular recipes. DH ordered them from Bed Bath & Beyond, I think they were about $20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 It's totally frivolous, but I love my battery operated flour sifter. http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-140-Battery-Operated-Sifter/dp/B000JWLO6I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1273524933&sr=8-1 And the favorite spoons at my house are these Zak Designs Happy Spoons. I have them in different colors. Everything is better when made with a happy spoon. :001_smile: http://www.amazon.com/Zak-Designs-0722-0514-Happy-Spoon/dp/B001GBL6B4/ref=pd_sim_k_2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookfiend Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 I echo the Oxo recommendation. If she has arthritis, you might consider replacing all of her basics with ergonomic design. We did this in our family and the cook was so pleased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 They are SO useful! I bought some for a specific recipe about 6 months ago, and I use them for all kinds of things, just about every day. Williams Sonoma has or had a bunch of measuring spoons with unusual but useful sizes, like 2 teaspoons, 1/2 tablespoon, 2 tablespoons. A microplane lemon zester is awesome. The newish Pampered Chef trifle bowl is really nice--it's clear glass so you can see all the layers, and it has a sealing top (like Tupperware) so it's easy to transport or store food. The bowl comes off the base, so it doesn't take up much room in the refridgerator, either. Very nice looking but also more practical than others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 You may consider checking out sites that cater to the arthritic crowd. Even if she doesn't have arthritis, they are often designed to be simple to operate and ergonomic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2abcd Posted May 11, 2010 Author Share Posted May 11, 2010 Thanks for the ideas! Keep 'em coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TengoFive Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 If she doesn't have the Pampered Chef peeler yet, its a must, must, must have. I also adore their All Purpose Spreader. Oh, and the Large Serving Spatula. The Slice and Serve is quite nice as well. I'm not addicted to Pampered Chef anymore, but these things are my go-tos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 http://www.kuhnrikon.com/products/tools/tools.php3?id=36 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 Does she bake bread or make gravY? I love my flour wand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 Does she bake bread or make gravY? I love my flour wand. What is a flour wand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 What is a flour wand? http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/flour-wand?utm_source=frooglecom&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=shopping I've had it over 20 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikeBookBread Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 I love my Silpat! Also great are my Microplane grater and Misto (pumping oil mister) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookfiend Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 I love my Silpat! Also great are my Microplane grater and Misto (pumping oil mister) Yes, yes, yes - these are the contemporary MUST HAVES! I use them almost daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 Surely you are smarter than I was -- but just in case you don't know how dangerous they are, please, please do NOT give her a mandoline. Earlier this spring, I bought one, thinking that it would save me time. The safety device failed, and I amputated a chunk of a finger. It took nearly two months to grow back, and I have a large hospital bill, to boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2abcd Posted May 11, 2010 Author Share Posted May 11, 2010 Surely you are smarter than I was -- but just in case you don't know how dangerous they are, please, please do NOT give her a mandoline. Earlier this spring, I bought one, thinking that it would save me time. The safety device failed, and I amputated a chunk of a finger. It took nearly two months to grow back, and I have a large hospital bill, to boot. Yikes! No mandoline....:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutor Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 -garlic press -egg slicer (I use it for strawberries) -Silpat pad (these aren't cheap, but I have seen knockoffs recently) -wooden spoons, wooden spatulas, wooden ladles (I *heart* wooden utensils) -ramekins -baking stone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pryde55 Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 I like the Pampered Chef tomato corer (doubles as a great tool for taking the top greenery & little core from strawberries). I also like the egg slicer for slicing strawberries, kiwi, mushrooms and hard-boiled eggs (not necessarily to eat in the same dish)! Also like the orange peeler. Usually for give-aways by consultants. Kept me from grabbing a knife & board and is great for removing things from tight spaces, like muffins from a pan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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