Don't want to brave the stores? Shopping online for cooking equipment gifts is fast and easy. And this year, online kitchenware retailers are offering plenty of incentives to hit the keyboard, rather than the mall. Here are a few of my favorite online shopping sites and what sort of offers they have for holiday 2008:
You'll get free shipping on certain items, including cookware sets, some cutlery and knife block sets, espresso makers and kitchen electrics over $300. The online kitchenware store has highlighted its offerings in gift shops that are organized by price, product type and recipient, making for an inspired way to get gift ideas.
Williams-Sonoma also offers free shipping on some of its gifts, including knife block sets, espresso and coffee machines, and cookware sets. Check out its gift lists for ideas; on the "Top 20 Gifts" roundup are
All-Clad kitchen electrics like the slow cooker, waffler and electric grill, plus a Breville panini press and a Bialetti hot chocolate pot.
Some items are eligible for free shipping on orders over $100. The retailer is focusing on holiday-themed items, like cute mugs, red and green striped aprons, and cookie decorating items, like holiday-themed cookie cutters and a cookie press and decorating kit.
There's free shipping on orders of $99 or more through December 17, which helps early-bird shoppers. The site's gift guides are categorized by price and personality, and even have fun categories like "Celebrity Chef Fans" and "Ultimate Gifts." The latter is just in case you have $700 to spare to gift someone with Musso's Lussino Ice Cream Maker!
The online shopping behemoth helpfully spotlights its shopping deals front and center on the Kitchen & Dining page. The deals are organized by markdowns on small appliances, cookware and tools; 4-for-3 deals, in which you can choose four eligible items and get the lowest-priced item for free; and its products that come with a bonus, such as a free cutting board if you buy $99 worth of Wusthof products.
If you love to bake, check the website of King Arthur Flour frequently throughout the month for daily deals. And, if you'll be gifting your friends and family with baked goodies, you won't want to miss their "Bake and Give section," which includes 9 different paper baking pans and an assortment of professional-looking gift bags and bakery boxes. Some promotions offer free paper baking pans with the purchase of a certain quantity of baking mixes.
