The Best Wedding Gifts Food Network Staffers Have Received
Whether you're purchasing a wedding present or curating your registry, these are our most-used gifts that have held up for years.
While building your wedding registry and dreaming about what you'll add to your home as newlyweds can be fun, not all of our married staffers agreed that the best gifts were the ones they originally wanted. Sometimes, what we really need is what we expect the least. Since most wedding guests will stick to buying gifts from your registry, these picks from our Food Network staffers are great options to add to your list.
From the go-to KitchenAid stand mixer to entertaining essentials like dinnerware and serving platters, our most-used and well-loved wedding gifts are ones that we reach for on a regular basis. When compiling your registry or buying a present for a loved one, consider products that will be used frequently, like coffeemakers or cookware, so they don't go unused in a cabinet or end up in the donate pile. Read on to discover the best wedding gifts our staffers have received and recommend.
"I got married ten years ago, and I now realize how useless most of my registry was (looking at you, dog-shaped salt and pepper shakers). But never fear! My food-enthusiast, chef-of-the-family Aunt came through. She gifted us a KitchenAid food processor, which has since become one of my most-used appliances. Chopping chicken, making pesto, and shredding the pounds of cheese necessary for my husband's famous mac and cheese is now a breeze. It's compact enough to fit inside a cabinet, and the various blades make it useful in a shocking number of scenarios. If it breaks, I'll have to buy another one because, at this point, I don't think I can live without it." — Ellie Sanders, Newsletter Editor
"My kitchen workhorse. Gifting a Le Creuset Dutch Oven is investing in a family heirloom that will be passed down for generations. My bright orange Dutch oven is 10 years old and getting better with age. I've cooked endless recipes for my family in the cast-iron enameled cookware, from slow-cooked stews and soups to one-pot meals. The iconic cookware was designed for heating meals evenly over a long period of time and is surprisingly dishwasher-safe. The colorful collection allows you to match your cookware to your kitchen, which you can display on your stove." — Jennifer Cicatelli, Director, Commerce Analytics
"If you're gifting to a coffee lover who's just building out their kitchen, a Chemex coffeemaker is a classic gift. (It's used daily in my household!) Plus, it looks great sitting on a shelf when not in use. If you're looking for a bigger-ticket item, it can be paired with a coffee subscription or a gooseneck kettle!" — Liz Gray, Supervising Producer, Editorial Video
"This milk frother is small but powerful. I've been using it almost every day for over 10 years since our wedding, and it’s still going strong. I also use full-fat oat milk in it, which typically doesn't froth as much because of the thickness of the milk, but it still gets a nice foam in this frother." — Jenny Bierman, Director, Culinary Production
"The one thing I tell practically everyone to put on their registry is an espresso machine. Yes, it IS expensive, but your loved ones want to celebrate your relationship, and what better way to do that than with a coffee machine? I've had mine for a little over a year, and I'm not sure how I survived without it before that. Although I recommend the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine, there are so many options on the market now that you're sure to find one that suits your needs perfectly. Not sure where to start? Shop our product testers' recommendations here." — Ellie Sanders, Newsletter Editor
"My most useful wedding gift was two sets of Our Place Plates. I love them because they're super lightweight, dishwasher safe and have held up to everyday use, even by my toddler. My friends and I joke that a ceramic set is the new set of china. Everyone registers for one, the only difference is that you use these pretty plates every day instead of saving them for special occasions. The Our Place plates have really stood the test of time." — Heath Goldman, Culinary Editor
"The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer is a beloved choice for wedding registries, and it's easy to see why. This versatile kitchen appliance effortlessly kneads dough, creams butter with sugar and thoroughly mixes ingredients using its three included attachments. Its durable design, featuring 10 speeds and a tilt-head, ensures it will stand the test of time. This stand mixer will become your favorite kitchen appliance for any occasion, both small and large as you prepare meals for friends and family. The Artisan line offers the widest selection of colors and finishes, which you can also personalize on the KitchenAid website. The KitchenAid Artisan is Food Network's Best Overall stand mixer in our latest review, which is the best choice for the everyday baker." — Jennifer Cicatelli, Director, Commerce Analytics
"In the world of wedding presents, food storage containers might be the most mundane — or so you'd think. I actually love this set of glass containers from Glasslock, which we received six years ago and just might be the most enduring and useful of all the gifts we were lucky enough to get. In the years since my wedding, my everyday plates have chipped, my pricey duvet is coming apart at the seams, and it's admittedly true that I have no use for the tiny gold dessert spoons that caught my eye back then. But these glass containers are just as good as they were the first day I used them, and they've influenced how I meal prep and store leftovers. The fact that they can go from oven to fridge to microwave is key." — Lauren Piro, Editorial Director
"This mini espresso machine was our first coffeemaker, and it was perfect for our apartment kitchen because it doesn't take up much counter space. It's dummy-proof with three buttons: off/on, small pour and large pour. The end. My only regret is the electric green color we picked because I thought it would be timeless — it wasn't." — Jenny Bierman, Director, Culinary Production
"There's no doubt about it; the wedding gift my husband and I use most is our Belgian waffle maker. Between lazy weekend breakfasts, dinners of chicken and waffles, and the more-than-occasional waffle sundae, you'll find us huddled around that simple countertop appliance at least once a week. It only takes one person to work the iron, but you'll always find both of us there. We like to say that we're trying to get our hands on the first waffle, but I'm pretty sure it has more to do with the company (because we always end up splitting the first one in the end). After more than a decade of marriage, it's time for an upgrade, and I've got my eye on the double version. It cooks two fluffy Belgian waffles at the same time — one for our daughter and one for my husband and I to share, as usual!" — Kristie Collado, Digital Programming Manager
"The Ninja DualBrew Grounds & Pods is the perfect answer to diverse coffee tastes. The machine offers 9 different sizes, from single-serve to travel mugs to various carafe sizes. You can also customize your brew style from classic, rich or over ice, all in a matter of minutes. My favorite part of the machine is the ability to use ground coffee or coffee pods. The machine was the perfect answer for wanting a single-serve coffeemaker that could easily brew more coffee for multiple guests when entertaining. The machine is compact and sleek on my counter and was simple to set up." — Jennifer Cicatelli, Director, Commerce Analytics
"My husband comes from a long line of cast-iron cooks, and although I didn't even know what a Lodge skillet was until I moved to Tennessee, it was a must for our wedding registry. Do we use it every day? No, but it has come in handy more than I thought it would, and it's a piece of cookware that you never think you need until you really need it. Last-minute cornbread, anyone? Not to mention, with the proper care and seasoning, they can last forever, giving them lots of family heirloom potential." — Ellie Sanders, Newsletter Editor
"Pottery Barn offers a fantastic selection of serveware, combining both style and functionality. Whether you like hosting formal dinner parties or casual get-togethers, these high-quality platters add a touch of sophistication to your table. They have a wide range of materials and designs from classic to contemporary, allowing you to choose pieces that match your personal style and decor. My serving platters and bowls were a great investment and have enhanced my entertaining presentation. My specific serving trays and bowls are 10+ years old and are no longer carried, but I truly love the quality and would turn to Pottery Barn to purchase again." — Jennifer Cicatelli, Director, Commerce Analytics
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