The OBSESSED Gift Guide

gifting with intention

Gift giving is an art, and somewhere along the way of having a daughter it became “will you get me this for Christmas?” Of course you acquiesce and then you realize it’s not really a gift. So I fell off the gift train for a while. Then I was reminded by my childhood friend Ty (the worlds best gift giver), that the feeling of receiving a gift that you never would have thought to buy for yourself, truly is one of the best feelings around.

My time in Japan changed how I look at consumption. Training with ramen masters, eating in eight-seat shops, watching craftsmen dedicate entire lives to perfecting one thing - it rewired something in me. I came home and started questioning every object I owned.

I live in a small house. I have a small closet. My pantry is bigger, which tells you everything about my priorities. There’s no room for things that don’t earn their place. So this gift guide isn’t about more, it’s about better. Hopefully it helps you find something with intention for someone you actually know.

The Japanese call it wabi-sabi: beauty in imperfection, in things that age and tell a story. A cutting board grooved with knife marks. A carbon steel blade wearing its patina like a badge. Copper that deepens to amber. A leather apron softened by years of flour and heat. Cast iron with fifty years of seasoning you couldn’t buy if you tried. These objects aren’t precious because they’re pristine—they’re precious because they’ve been loved into character.

There’s also kodawari, the obsessive dedication to getting one thing exactly right. The blacksmith who makes the same knife until it sings. The potter who throws a thousand bowls to master one form. When I gift something, I want it made by someone with that spirit.

Nothing disposable. Nothing grabbed at the airport. Things that look better at year ten than day one.

Here’s where to start, the 2025 OBSESSED GIFT GUIDE.

1. Handcrafted Wood Spatula’s are an essential in my kitchen. I was gifted these and have given them every since

2. Walnut Magnetic Knife Rack handcrafted in Japan

3. Michael Bras Herb Shears, an elegant gift for the mother in law

4. Global 40th Anniversary 7” Chefs Knife, my favorite knife of all time and the perfect gift for a beginner cook, a college student or an advanced cook

5. DIY Mala Chili Crisp Kit, these ingredients were imported from Sichuan China where chili crisp was born. Comes with the recipe. This is the real deal

6. Mini Copper Grater handcrafted in Japan, made for wasabi (you see it in sushi) but invaluable in my kitchen and the perfect gift hat will last a lifetime.

7. Spouted Container for Oil, just lovely for the countertop and functional for cooking

8. Moku Kitchen towels made in Japan, these are the perfect size with a great coloway

9. Microwave Rice Cooker, this caught my eye and I added it to my wish list. The Japanese think of everything

10. Ceramic Ripple Ridge Mortar and Pestle made in Japan, as functional as it is beautiful

11. Mannkitchen Pepper Canon, a gift I was given that I will never live without. German workmanship at it’s finest

12. Yamatsu Tsujita Sancho with Tin, this is the spice you simply cannot get unless it’s imported from Japan.

13. Hugu Indigo Coaster handcrafted in Japan, as beautiful as it is functional

14. Meater digital temp for roasting, this has become an essential for me

15. Auspiscious Fortune Tenugui Towel handcrafted in Japan

16. Chef Press for the serious cook, help to get an incredible sear when pan cooking

17. Yamatsu Tsujita Spice Bundle, for the cook who wants to build their Japanese pantry

18. Smithy Cast Iron Skillet, a gift that will last a lifetime

1. This Baby Owl print hangs on my wall and brings me joy everyday

2. Hasami Incense holder with Sandlewood from Imogene + Willie

3. The perfect Brass Shell Spoons for an appetizer spread

4. Cloud Chopstick Rests handcrafted in Japan

5. Pot Holders handcrafted in Japan

6. Glass Table Lantern from Heath Ceramics

7. Handcrafted Wood Bowl from Olive Altelier

1. Imogene + Willie “She’s Cool” tee, effortless style from a Nashville fav

2. Imogene + Willie “No More News” tee, speaks for itself!

3. East Fork x Diaspora Spice Co. Chai Essentials Kit, for the person who has everything

4. East Fork x Craighill Mescola Cocktail Set, looks very cool on the cocktail cart

5. Hinoki Bath Soaking Kit, like taking a trip to a Japanese Onsen

6. Spirited Away Flexi Journal, from Giant Robot for the anime fan in the family

7. Giant Robot: Hardcover Document Notebook - A6 Dotted (Desert Yellow)

8. Imogene + Willie “Mi Amor” Sock for the perfect stocking stuffer

9. Oribe-Nagashi Nagomi Tea Cup, a one of a kind gift for the tea drinker

10. Foraging Tool Kit for the outdoorsy in your life (great for kids)

11. Moss Bowl Terrarium, for the green thumb craftys

12. Pickle Making Kit, for the beginner fermentor

I hope this guide gives you some great ideas for your holiday season. I will be following up next week with MY KITCHEN, which will be a list of the exact items I use everyday as well as MY FAV COOKBOOKS for the last minute gifting.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Sincerely,
Sarah, your Obsessed Kitchen Guide