The Korean Vegan’s 2024 Holiday Gift GUIDE.

  • December 5, 2024
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A collection of beige gift boxes with black ribbons stacked in a pyramid next to a small evergreen tree. The text reads "2024 Holiday Gift Guide" featuring the Korean Vegan logo on a beige background.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links for products I use and love. If you make a purchase after clicking one of those links, I may earn a small affiliate commission, perhaps enough to buy some extra gochujang or gochugaru 🙂

The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time of year. But… gift giving can often be a pain in the butt. What’s meant to be a way to show appreciation for our loved ones can at times turn into this really weird, stressful, and sometimes not-at-all-fun part of the holidays.

This can be particularly so if you or anyone on your holiday shopping list is vegan. So, this guide is designed to help you cut through the indecision by providing you with 11 categories of goodies that have been used, read, worn, eaten or otherwise enjoyed by me, or highly recommended to me by close friends.

You can thus shop with confidence! But, heads up–some of these items are selling out as we speak and may require significant lead time for shipping. So, shop with confidence, yes, but also with speed!

Happy Holidays!
-Joanne

Holiday Gift Guide!

I mean, of course I’m going to include a section on cookbooks! These are my all time favorites from the year 2024 and they’ll make BEAUTIFUL gifts for all your friends–vegans and non-vegans alike!

Cover of The Korean Vegan Cookbook by Joanne Lee Molinaro. This essential guide features a bowl of noodles with vegetables and chopsticks, perfect for a holiday gift. Includes text: New York Times Bestseller and James Beard Foundation 2022 Award Winner.

What is it?
Signed NY Times Best-Selling, James Beard Award-winning cookbook, The Korean Vegan.

For whom?
Anyone who loves cooking vegan or Korean food!

Price?
$35.

Buy!
Cover of Big Vegan Flavor by Nisha Vora. Features a colorful vegan dish and text: Techniques and 150 Recipes to Master Vegan Cooking. Includes the label New York Times Bestseller, making it an ideal holiday gift, and showcases vibrant, inviting food photography.

What is it?
NYT Bestselling cookbook Big Vegan Flavor by Nisha Vora.

For whom?
Anyone who wants to add the best new vegan cookbook to their collection!

Price?
$32.

Buy!
Cover of The Elements of Baking by Katarina Cermelj. Features a whisk with a dollop of batter on top. Text highlights gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, or vegan recipes—an ideal holiday gift. Subtitle notes the author is the creator of The Loopy Whisk.

What is it?
The Elements of Baking by Katarina Cermelj.

For whom?
Anyone who loves to bake gluten-free and vegan goods!

Price?
$33.

Buy!
Cover of Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking by Joe Yonan. Features a purple cauliflower with textured green leaves, accompanied by white text detailing the title and subtitle Vegan Recipes, Tips, and Techniques.

What is it?
Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking by Joe Yonan.

For whom?
Anyone who wants to dive DEEP into plant-based cooking techniques.

Price?
$31.

Buy!
Cover of the book Plant You: Scrappy Cooking by Carleigh Bodrug. Perfect for the Holiday Gift Guide 2024, it features the author smiling, surrounded by an array of fruits and vegetables. The subtitle highlights plant-based, zero-waste recipes.

What is it?
NYT Bestseller Plant You: Scrappy Cooking by Carleigh Bodrug.

For whom?
Anyone who wants an easy to follow cookbook on no-waste cooking.

Price?
$16.

Buy!
The cover of "The Artful Way to Plant-Based Cooking" serves as a perfect holiday gift, featuring a table adorned with a bowl of stew, a glass of red wine, bread, and a skillet of vegetables. This guide is filled with nourishing recipes and heartfelt moments by Chloe Crane-Leroux & Trudy Crane.

What is it?
The Artful Way to Plant-Based Cooking by Chloe Crane-Leroux and Trudy Crane.

For whom?
Anyone who really loves beautiful cookbooks.

Price?
$26.

Buy!

You guys know, I love love love baking. In fact, it was my love of baking that started my food journey (even before I went vegan!). I thus have a few staples and even some fancier baking tools that any baker–noobie or veteran–will really love!

This holiday gift set features five stainless steel mixing bowls with black lids, proudly displaying the Priority Chef logo. Perfect for any Korean vegan recipe, the smallest bowl is filled with fresh tomatoes, adding a touch of vibrant color to your kitchen.

What is it?
Set of large mixing bowls with lids (just bought these for Omma)!

For whom?
Anyone who can’t seem to have enough cooking bowls in their life (me)!

Price?
$45.

Buy!
A set of seven clear glass bowls, six stacked neatly while one displays vibrant red and black dried fruits. With their simple design and ridged exterior, they make an elegant addition to any table.

What is it?
Set of small bowls (I need 10,000 of these).

For whom?
Perfect for spices, salt, pepper, and fruit!

Price?
$14.

Buy!
A perfect holiday gift, this set of gold measuring cups and spoons displayed on a white surface is ideal for any kitchen. Each cup filled with brown sugar and each spoon sprinkled with spices, offers precise measurement markings—an essential guide for any culinary adventure.

What is it?
Beautiful measuring cups and spoons (hubby bought these for me and I love them).

For whom?
For the baker who wants a little luxe in their kitchen.

Price?
$35 to $80.

Buy!
Three clear Pyrex glass measuring cups with red markings, showing various measurements in cups, ounces, and milliliters. Featured in the 2024 Holiday Gift Guide, these essentials rest elegantly on a white background.

What is it?
Glass liquid measuring cups (I love the clean sight of these).

For whom?
For the baker who’s been measuring liquid with measuring cups for solids!

Price?
$26.

Buy!
A digital kitchen scale, perhaps the perfect addition to a Korean Vegan's arsenal, displays 41 grams with a cluster of blueberries on its stainless steel surface. Two green AAA batteries sit beside it—a thoughtful choice for any Holiday Gift.

What is it?
An electronic baking scale (I can’t live without this thing).

For whom?
For avid bakers, particularly those who enjoy making bread and pastries.

Price?
$11.

Buy!
A silver and black Ankarsrum stand mixer, boasts a large metal bowl and intuitive control knobs on the base.

What is it?
A wonderful, high-powered stand mixer (made my perfect brioche using this baby).

For whom?
For serious bakers who are sick of their stand mixer crapping out on them.

Price?
$750.

Buy!
A white bread proofer with dough inside makes a perfect holiday gift, featuring a transparent top window and digital temperature controls on the side, plugged into a power source. The exterior design has vent-like patterns that add an elegant touch to any kitchen countertop.

What is it?
A proofing box for breads and pizza (I use this all the time!).

For whom?
For the bakers who are obsessed with their breads and pizza dough.

Price?
$219.

Buy!

As a cookbook writer, I have a lot of cookware at home. These are just some of my favorite things, at the moment!

Standing against a textured gray wall, the person wears a short-sleeved gray shirt and a white apron with pockets. One hand rests thoughtfully in the apron pocket.

What is it?
My favorite apron from White Bark Workwear (someone buy this for me?).

For whom?
For cooks who want to look good while they cook good.

Price?
$110.

Buy!
A black cast iron skillet with a red silicone handle cover. It features a small lip for pouring and a branded logo on the handle cover.

What is it?
A durable and deep cast iron pan (just bought this for my mom!).

For whom?
For cooks who are aiming to level up their skills in the kitchen.

Price?
$30.

Buy!
A stainless steel frying pan with a smooth handle and a honeycomb-patterned non-stick interior surface. The pan is empty and shown against a white background.

What is it?
HexClad’s 10″ wok-style sauté pan (I use mine on the daily).

For whom?
For those who like cooking in a wok but with non-stick technology!

Price?
$119.

Buy!
A set of three black frying pans with stainless steel handles, stacked and accompanied by three glass lids with metal handles, arranged on a black surface. Perfect for the Korean Vegan, this cookware makes an ideal addition to any 2024 Holiday Gift Guide.

What is it?
HexClad’s 3 piece fry pan set.

For whom?
For someone who needs to replace those sorry, cruddy, overused pans!

Price?
$330.

Buy!

In addition to the items above, my kitchen is stocked with Korean cookware. These are the items you often see in a Korean drama or even in my own videos! These are perfect to pair with a copy of The Korean Vegan Cookbook!

A set of brown ceramic casserole dishes with lids, featuring a floral pattern, perfect as a holiday gift. The main image shows a larger view, while smaller images below showcase the dish from different angles, ideal for preparing Korean vegan recipes.

What is it?
A ddukbaeggi or earthenware pot for Korean soups and stews.

For whom?
For anyone who likes to cook lots of Korean food.

Price?
$44.

Buy!
A tan kimchi container with a lid and handle features a label adorned with colorful fruits and vegetables.

What is it?
My mom’s favorite kimchi container (she just bought me one and I love it).

For whom?
For anyone who likes to make kimchi and wants to perfect their fermentation game with less mess!

Price?
$28.

Buy!
Shown are three gold-toned stainless steel bowls with lids, perfect as a stylish holiday gift. One bowl is filled with white rice garnished with black sesame seeds, while the others are stacked empty, showcasing their modern, sleek design.

What is it?
Fancy rice bowls with lids.

For whom?
Anyone who likes to serve rice at their dinner parties!

Price?
$29.

Buy!
A neatly arranged set of two metal spoons paired with two pairs of metal chopsticks on a light grey background. The utensils have a sleek, modern design with a shiny finish.

What is it?
Beautiful traditional Korean style utensils (I can’t get enough of these).

For whom?
Anyone serving Korean food–to guests or to themselves!

Price?
$49.

Buy!
A golden pot with a matching lid is displayed alongside a silver spoon and a pair of chopsticks. This elegant set features two handles and sleek, shiny utensils.

What is it?
A fast-boil ramen pot (my Dad’s been using one for decades).

For whom?
Anyone who loves watching K-dramas. Trust me.

Price?
$18.

Buy!

Did you know that 1 in 4 young people identify themselves as a “content creator”? I think that’s both shocking and lovely at the same time. Maybe you don’t…? Hahahahaha. Regardless, these are gifts for the aspiring content creator. I have purposely chosen not to include my cameras, since I think that’s such a personal choice (like running shoes). But here’s everything else:

A sleek black CamRanger 2 device with two antennas on either side stands as a tech marvel. The front panel proudly displays its brand name, while green LED indicator lights glow, showcasing connectivity status.

What is it?
This CamRanger2 is a camera remote and monitor, all in one (I’ve been using this since 2011 and this is how I shoot and edit all my own photos and videos).

For whom?
Anyone who wants to film themselves or take amazing low-light photographs.

Price?
$369-$458.

Buy!
Close-up of a Lexar Professional SDXC memory card. With a 256GB capacity and 250 MB/s speed, it's ideal for high-performance needs. Marked with V60, U3, and Class 10 symbols.

What is it?
Hi-speed, hi-volume SD cards (I’ve never had one go bad on me).

For whom?
Anyone who films a lot of big data footage (e.g., 4k video).

Price?
$60.

Buy!
The sleek, gray Envoy Pro FX external hard drive, with its minimalist design and blue indicator light, makes an excellent holiday gift. Its rounded edges and logo on top give it a modern touch.

What is it?
4 terabyte hi-speed external hard drive (I’ve done a lot of research and this one’s been my go-to for years).

For whom?
Anyone who edits lots of video and doesn’t want to slow down their laptop.

Price?
$518.

Buy!
A dark gray, textured laptop sleeve featuring a zippered front pocket and a black strap on the side. The brand name KIZUNA is prominently displayed in the bottom corner.

What is it?
17″ laptop sleeve (I love this thing so much because it has pockets).

For whom?
Anyone who has to take their laptop with them everywhere.

Price?
$20.

Buy!

As you may know, I have a 6-year-old nephew that I have been showering with gifts from the moment he took his first breath. Here are a few of his (and my) favorites.

Box and product image of the EyeClops digital microscope and camera. The box showcases a child exploring insects magnified up to 800.

What is it?
Eyeclops: A digital microscope and camera that zooms into all those creepy-crawlies.

For whom?
Anyone with an obsession with all the things you want to keep outside.

Price?
$50.

Buy!
Illustrated book cover of *Just Ask!* by Sonia Sotomayor, featuring vibrant, plant-filled letters. A child in a yellow shirt and blue jeans pushes a wheelbarrow brimming with greenery. Text below reads, "Be Different, Be Brave, Be You."

What is it?
Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor (yes that one) children’s book.

For whom?
Anyone who loves beautiful illustrations with powerful words about self-worth.

Price?
$11.

Buy!
Cover of The Complete Book of Origami by Robert J. Lang. It features origami animals like a dinosaur, elephant, and deer on a yellow background with text that reads, Step-by-Step Instructions in Over 1000 Diagrams and 37 Original Models.

What is it?
The Complete Book of Origami, containing instructions for making dinosaurs out of paper (my nephew and I spent hours on this one)!

For whom?
Anyone who’s into origami and/or dinosaurs.

Price?
$12.

Buy!
The image features a National Geographic Birthstone Dig Kit box. It includes colorful gemstone samples, a magnifying glass, and digging tools. Ideal for STEM learning, it promises 12 genuine gemstones to discover.

What is it?
NatGeo’s Birthstone Dig Kit–an at home kit for your budding archeologists!

For whom?
Anyone who wants to be the next Indiana Jones.

Price?
$34.

Buy!
A Scrabble board features words like WOODEN, MODERN, BEAUTIFUL, MAPLE, UNIQUE, and TALL with brown wooden tiles. A box with a silver star sits nearby.

What is it?
Contemporary, swiveling, beveled Scrabble board (for the adult kids).

For whom?
The book nerds, the board game lovers, the game night aficionados.

Price?
$200.

Buy!

I’ve been running for over a decade and over the years, I’ve identified the fitness gear I simply can’t live without. Here are a few of them.

Back view of a person wearing a black sports bra with wired earphones tucked into the back strap. The strap has a small loop to hold the wires. A portion of the person's braided hair is visible.

What is it?
Phone holding sports bra (I’ve been asked more than once while running where I get these!).

For whom?
Anyone who works out with a sports bra and their phone (or even a skinny water bottle!).

Price?
$24.

Buy!
A person in a black sports bra and shorts jumps with energy and enthusiasm. They wear white sneakers and socks against a plain background, one arm bent and the other extended back.

What is it?
PopFlex hi-waist running shorts (the comfiest running shorts on the planet with deep pockets).

For whom?
Anyone who hates chafing when they work out!

Price?
$59.

Buy!
A white ankle sock with a gray logo and text on the side, featuring a mesh-like texture and elastic opening.

What is it?
Balega’s Hidden Comfort No Show ankle running socks (these are my entire sock drawer).

For whom?
Anyone who takes socks really seriously.

Price?
$16.

Buy!
A person stands in light gray sweatpants with a drawstring waist, hands in pockets, against a plain background.

What is it?
Vuori’s Halo Essential Wideleg Pants–recovery ware (I want these in every color).

For whom?
Anyone who likes to slide into dreamily comfortable pants after a tough workout.

Price?
$108.

Buy!

My general philosophy for giving gifts for men: (a) check to see if there’s a male version for the things I like, and (b) identify those things he steals from me (evidencing the things he uses a lot).

Dark blue jogger pants with an elastic waistband, white drawstring, and side pockets. One pocket features a zipper and a small embroidered logo. The Korean vegan style, with cuffed ankles, is pictured against a white background.

What is it?
Vuori’s Sunday Performance Jogger for men. With pockets!!

For whom?
Anyone who likes super comfortable but nice looking leisure ware.

Price?
$98.

Buy!
A black zip-up hoodie with a hood and full-length sleeves, perfect as a casual holiday gift. It features a front zipper, two front pockets, and a small logo on one pocket, making it both stylish and practical.

What is it?
Vuori’s Coronado Hoodie (I bought this for Anthony and he loves it).

For whom?
Anyone who wants to look good while feeling warm and comfy.

Price?
$138.

Buy!
Considered a perfect 2024 holiday gift, this Anker GaNPrime charger features two USB ports and a folding plug for compact efficiency. The sleek black design with a silver front panel proudly displays the Anker logo. Ideal for Korean Vegan gatherings, ensuring devices are always charged.

What is it?
Anker Fast Charging IQ charger with both USB-3 and USB-A ports (put a label on his so he knows which one is his!!).

For whom?
Anyone who keeps stealing his wife’s charger.

Price?
$60.

Buy!
A glass brimming with peach-colored liquid features "Best husband ever" in bold, cursive white letters. Ideal as a holiday gift, this unique item adds a festive charm to any setting. Its simplicity is spotlighted against the white background, making it a standout choice for your 2024 guide.

What is it?
“Best husband EVER” tumbler (hubby uses his on the daily).

For whom?
The best husband EVER (not mine–he’s taken).

Price?
$16.

Buy!
A gray, sleeveless fleece vest perfect for the 2024 Holiday Gift Guide, featuring a full-length zipper, two zippered side pockets, and a small logo on the left chest. The vest is laid flat against a white background, ready to become your go-to layer.

What is it?
Patagonia fleece (it’s vegan!) vest. Anthony looks quite sharp in his!

For whom?
Pretty much anyone who likes to keep warm and look good?

Price?
$119.

Buy!
A box of Uni-ball 207 black gel pens, perfect for your 2024 Holiday Gift Guide, features one pen leaning against it. The stylish white box with black text and a pen image is topped with a gold bow, signaling it as an ideal gift choice.

What is it?
A box of uniball black pens (they’re really nice and comfy).

For whom?
Anyone who keeps stealing your pens.

Price?
$14.

Buy!
Three eyeglass cases in wood-inspired designs are displayed, perfect for the 2024 Holiday Gift Guide. The oval-shaped cases come in light brown, medium brown, and dark brown shades, each featuring a simple black eyeglasses icon on top.

What is it?
Really beautiful hard shell glasses case.

For whom?
Anyone who loses or bangs up their glasses a lot!

Price?
$8.

Buy!

This next section contains food gifts that are great for foodies or cooks. These are also excellent gifts for clients, employees, colleagues, business partners, etc.

A brightly colored box labeled Brightland contains four bottles with various illustrated designs. Perfect for the Holiday Gift GUIDE 2024, the open box beautifully displays the bottles in a neat row against a white background, making it an ideal choice for the Korean Vegan enthusiasts in your life.

What is it?
Gift box of Brightland’s infused olive oils (these sell out FAST!).

For whom?
Anyone who cooks a lot or really likes salad!

Price?
$85.

Buy!
A dark green platter featuring assorted cheese selections, including wedges and slices with visible herbs and spices. Perfect for 2024, the platter is surrounded by green pine branches, enhancing its festive presentation—ideal for a holiday gift guide.

What is it?
Rebel Cheese’s box of 4 vegan cheeses (these are so so SO good!!).

For whom?
Anyone who loves gourmet vegan cheese.

Price?
$90.

Buy!
A gift basket on a wooden table features truffled potato chips, granola, coffee, pickled vegetables, salts, vinegars, and more—a perfect addition to any Holiday Gift Guide. Artistic wall hangings and a dartboard in the background add charm to this delightful scene.

What is it?
Bite Society’s Vegan Pantry gift basket (I mean my GOD).

For whom?
Anyone who loves to pick over new or hard-to-find vegan foods.

Price?
$189.

Buy!
Close-up of dark chocolate squares with embossed logos, arranged neatly. In the top right corner, a green Vegan label proudly certifies them as part of the 2024 Korean Vegan Holiday Gift Guide.

What is it?
zChocolat’s vegan truffles (my friends rave about these chocolates whenever I gift them–they are from France and they are amazing!).

For whom?
Anyone who loves to pick over new or hard-to-find vegan foods.

Price?
$53.

Buy!

If you subscribe to my newsletter, you’ll have seen all of these before. But, here’s a friendly reminder of some of my favorite non-cookbook reads of this past year (i.e., books I read this year, not books published this year).

A couple sits closely together, smiling. The woman is in a white dress and the man in a suit, near a bicycle. The book cover reads, From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home by Tembi Locke. With Reese's Book Club logo, it's an ideal addition to any 2024 Holiday Gift Guide.

What is it?
Tembi Locke’s memoir From Scratch.

For whom?
Anyone who wants to cry while being inspired to make pasta.

Price?
$25.

Buy!
Book cover of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, perfect for any Holiday Gift Guide. It features an astronaut tumbling against a gold and black background with a round sticker mentioning The Martian and #1 New York Times Bestselling Author.

What is it?
Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary (I love this book so so SO much).

For whom?
Anyone who likes laugh-out-loud books about aliens.

Price?
$15.

Buy!
Cover of First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston. The image shows a dimly lit, blue-toned house with a silhouette in the door. Text includes praise and mentions Reese's Book Club selection, making it a great pick for your 2024 Holiday Gift Guide. The vibrant green title stands out prominently.

What is it?
Ashley Elston’s First Lie Wins (I ripped through this book in 24 hours).

For whom?
Anyone who likes to be kept on their toes from page 1.

Price?
$16.

Buy!
The cover of Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr, a perfect addition to the 2024 Holiday Gift Guide, features a blue book with celestial designs and gold architecture above it. The cover highlights the novel's awards and the author's previous works.

What is it?
Anthony Doerr’s Cloud Cuckoo Land.

For whom?
Anyone who wants to be reminded of what the written word can do in the hands of an absolute master.

Price?
$14.

Buy!

I’m quite choosey about my subscriptions, especially if I have to pay money for them. But here are some that I’ve kept for years.

A smartphone displaying a recipe app screen features the Discover section with enticing photos of fluffy blueberry pancakes and a black bean burger with slaw. Perfect for any 2024 Holiday Gift Guide, the app even includes Korean Vegan options to delight all culinary enthusiasts.

What is it?
An annual subscription to the Korean Vegan Kollective–a webapp with all my recipes, nutritional info, food coaching, and more!!

For whom?
Anyone who wants a helping hand with eating a fully plant-based and health-conscious diet.

Price?
$79.

Buy!
A festive Audible gift card advertisement with a vibrant orange ribbon and various audiobook covers. Text reads, "Gift Center: Spread joy, gift Audible." Perfect for a 2024 holiday gift, including favorites like "Korean Vegan.

What is it?
A 12-month subscription to Audible, Amazon’s “books on tape” catalogue.

For whom?
Anyone who likes to consume their literature while driving, running, folding laundry, emptying the dishwasher.

Price?
$150.

Buy!
Adobe Creative Cloud 12 Month Subscription image boasting a vibrant gradient background with the Creative Cloud logo. Includes a note on Generative AI features powered by Adobe Firefly. Perfect addition to your 2024 Holiday Gift Guide, with a download icon at the bottom.

What is it?
A 12-month subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud–a suite of Adobe’s software products.

For whom?
Anyone who plans on creating photos or video content in the next year!

Price?
$660.

Buy!
A red tote bag with The Atlantic logo contains magazines and a smartphone. Text reads, "Find the perfect holiday gift that gets them talking for less than $2 a week." Featured in the 2024 Holiday Gift Guide, this is the year’s conversation starter amidst snowflakes in the background.

What is it?
A 12-month subscription to the digital version of The Atlantic.

For whom?
Anyone who likes to read their news and thought pieces on their tablets or phones!

Price?
$80.

Buy!
Two smartphones showcase a gaming app featuring puzzle games like The Crossword, Spelling Bee, Wordle, and Sudoku. Each game appears in a colorful square with its name and brief description, making it easy to find the perfect challenge for any holiday gift guide.

What is it?
One year subscription to the Games section of the New York Times (I play these every single day).

For whom?
Anyone who wants/needs to sharpen their cognitive skills on the daily!

Price?
$50.

Buy!
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Michelle
4 days ago

Great list and I really appreciate how well you’ve organized it and described everything. Thanks!

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Joanne Molinaro
4 days ago
Reply to  Michelle

Thanks Michelle! I’m so glad it’s helpful!!

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