18 Sweeter-Than-Sugar Unique Gift Ideas for Bakers

Nov 24, 2015

There are wants, and then there are needs. Sometimes the difference is obvious (see Thanksgiving desserts and sustenance in general), but other times, shiny, colorful and game-changing gadgets can skew the judgments of the most level-headed shopper. When it comes to bakers, the line gets even fuzzier, especially if it’s down to a taste of cookie dough or a second helping of cobbler. Luckily, you don’t have to worry if the oven-obsessed individual on your holiday gifting list really needs any of our favorite 18 gifts for bakers, ‘cause we’re sure that they definitely want them.

1. Cake Decorating 101 Kit ($100): Have a friend totally obsessed with Cupcake Wars or Cake Boss? Give that budding baker this cake decorating kit so she can gain the skills to launch her professional career.

2. Kitchen Mixer Ornament ($13): No need to double up on hand mixers or mixing bowl sets. This sparkly number is the gift for the baker who already has it all.

3. Customizable Cookie Stamp ($15): Most artists sign their works, and we think that cookie artists should be able to do the same.

4. Cheese Board Kit ($50): What does a baker need with a cheese board? And a hand-wood-burned one at that? When it comes to baked goods, presentation is half the battle to convincing others to break the vow of no carbs and sugar.

5. Cricket Cookie + Flour Set ($30): Is your baking bud over vanilla and chocolate? She’ll dig experimenting with this protein-packed cricket flour. Sounds weird, but don’t knock it ‘till a bestie makes you try it ;)

6. Organic Chocolate-Making Kit ($52): She won’t get to start with pods straight from the Theobroma cacao tree, but this candy kit is the next best thing. The best part? You might get to sample some of the spoils.

7. Watercolor Gold Leaf Cake Kit ($34): First off, gold leaf is seriously IN for the holidays. Second, this watercolor cake is stunning. The baker in your life just needs to add cake and a fondant canvas to channel their inner artist.

8. Polka Dot Recipe Box + Cards ($34): Saving recipes on your phone or computer might be more organized, but we all know that the best recipes are those splattered with mystery stains and crusted with flour and who knows what else.

9. Macaron Kit ($25): If you’ve cruised around the blogosphere, you’ve probably encountered a few “woes of making macarons” posts. Pro patissiers struggle to master these persnickety delicacies, but this kit will help the pro in your book get a leg up.

10. Smart Kitchen Scale + Recipe App ($100): Baking isn’t all about cups and tablespoons, and serious bakers know that weighing ingredients results in more consistent confections. If you’ve heard the same thing from your bestie, this is the gift for her.

11.Hand Made Baking by Kamran Siddiqi ($30): Designed to entice young bakers, this book is figuratively infectious. If you wrap it for the passionate baker on your list, be prepared for some serious return on investment.

12. Tin Cake Stand ($20): They put statues on pedestals, so why not cakes? Give your fave baker a stand to showcase her museum-worthy edible art.

13. Kitchen Quick Chart ($27): Pop quiz: How many teaspoons are in a tablespoon? Quarts in a gallon? Give this cheat sheet to your friend who can’t remember.

14. Fortune Cupcake Liners ($12): That future will definitely come true as long as you eat the whole thing ;)

15. Carrot Whisk ($15): If you’re asking why, we reply, why not? Break out this adorable tool whether the batter is carrot cake or anything… well, not carrot-related.

16. Holiday Cookie Gift Pack ($35): Worried that the baker on your list will feel a little insulted by a premade cookie dough? Don’t be. This dough is totally customizable, so they’ll be inspired to craft cookies into the wee hours of the morn.

17. Reindeer Mug Kit ($29): This one ain’t exclusively for the baking brood, but we think they’ll love it as much as the next DIYer. Along with a ceramic mug and porcelain pen for decorating, the kit comes with a reindeer cookie cutter so you can dunk your gingerbread right into your cocoa. YUM!

18. Potholder + Mitt Set ($25): Oven mitts are kind of like cute socks and undies: A baker can never have enough.

Hey bakers, what’s on your holiday wish list? Tell us in the comments.

4 Cringe-Worthy Lessons I Learned From Julia Roberts Rom-Coms

Julia Roberts has given us some of the most iconic rom-coms in pop culture history, from Valentine's Day and Pretty Woman to Runaway Bride.

If you're a Millennial or even a Gen Zer, you probably watched the movies as a tween or teen and gleaned (what you thought were helpful) insights about love, life, and relationships. After all, it's natural to look up to the woman on the big screen and want to follow in her footsteps.

Well, allow us to present a different take on the matter. In our humble opinion, movies can be just as wisdom-packed when they show you behavior you shouldn't strive to emulate. So, here's what I learned not to do by watching Julia Roberts rom-coms.

Scroll to see the lessons I took away from all my favorite Julia Roberts rom-coms!

1. Don't say "yes" if you're not truly ready.

In Runaway Bride, Julia Roberts plays Maggie Carpenter, a woman who leaves her fiancés at the altar multiple times, and her track record leads her to be called "the runaway bride" by a journalist.

Perhaps there are two lessons here. Of course, while fleeing your own wedding day is bound to leave your partner with a whole lot of (valid) upset feelings, it's okay to say "no" and get out of a situation that isn't serving you, even if it feels like it's not what you're supposed to do.

But at the same token, remember that you shouldn't feel pressured into saying "yes" in the first place when you aren't genuinely ready to tie the knot with someone.

Being ambushed by a romantic proposal or facing expectations of marriage following a long-term relationship can be frightening. Still, don't allow yourself to be backed into a corner. Learn from Maggie's mistakes and say "yes" on your terms.

2. Manipulation isn't the way to get what you want.

My Best Friend's Wedding follows childhood best friends Julianne, played by Julia Roberts, and Michael, portrayed by Dermot Mulroney. They made a pact to marry each other if they were still single at 28 years old, yet four days before Julianne's birthday, she learns Michael is marrying another woman.

So, she attempts to break up her best friend's wedding, but let's just say it doesn't end well. I'm sure that all viewers could sympathize with Julianne's feelings of jealousy and heartbreak. Even so, this movie shows that trying to force someone into a relationship they don't want is manipulative (and won't work).

The lesson here? Respect other people's choices and realize that not every single romantic feeling has to be reciprocated.

3. Fame won't solve your problems.

In Notting Hill, Julia Roberts plays Anna Scott, a famous actress who falls for the charming bookshop owner, William. Despite being a beloved film, it also serves as a master class in how fame can breed a whole host of relationship issues.

First off, Anna cheats on her boyfriend with William and cites the pressures of fame as an excuse. Instead of owning up to her actions, she seems to think that being a celebrity gives her a free pass to make poor decisions.

Then, Anna later takes it a step further by badmouthing William to strangers, again justifying her behavior as a consequence of her famous status. If that wasn't enough, when paparazzi harass her and follow her to William's house, she tries to pin the blame on him.

The takeaway here is that getting famous will not be a glamorous solution to all your problems. Rather, it often makes things worse. The spotlight can turn a person into a chaotic, out-of-touch mess who can't take responsibility for their actions.

Don't rely on grand gestures to fix your relationship.

Finally, Valentine's Day is filled with romantic, grand gestures. From declarations of love to over-the-top surprises, the film portrays these moments as a way to fix whatever's wrong in a relationship. In reality, these gestures are surface-level and don't actually address deeper issues at play.

The real lesson is that true connection and lasting relationships are built on open communication, trust, and support. These things go much deeper than a bouquet of roses or an elaborate dinner.

Yes, grand gestures may be exciting, but they won't magically solve being on different pages with your partner.

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This Is Why So Many Books Now Have Colorful, Sprayed Edges Now

Today, many at-home libraries look a lot different than they did just a decade ago.

First, thanks to inspiration and ideas shared by avid readers on social media, classic shelving has gotten a major upgrade, with plenty of people using built-ins, DIY-ing shelving to look like built-ins, or displaying books in more unconventional stands.

Literature lovers are also upping their reading game by incorporating warm lighting, cozy chairs, and other viral bookworm accessories.

What's arguably the most new, though, is the introduction of colorful "sprayed edges" on the books themselves. Perhaps it goes against the classic mantra, "Don't judge a book by its cover," but this trend has taken over the reading scene. This is why!

Here's everything you need to know about sprayed edges books!

What are books with sprayed edges?

Books with "sprayed edges" have their page edges painted, which adds a bold pop of color or reveals an illustration when the book is closed. They're typically designed to complement the cover and invite you into fictional worlds before you even crack a story open.

So, this extra detail has become extremely popular among readers everywhere. It turns any ordinary book into a visual statement and provides book lovers with tons of new opportunities to display their collections.

In fact, some people have opted to begin exhibiting their books with the edges facing out as opposed to the spine. With this technique, your shelving practically transforms into a mosaic of art instead of just a storage area.

When did books with sprayed edges start?

It's important to note that while viral fantasy and romance novels have popularized this trend recently, the concept of decorating book edges has been around for centuries.

In 17th-century England, for instance, a technique called fore-edging, or painting watercolor scenes along the edges of books, became popular. Some novels have even been adorned with gold or silver leaf.

More on books with sprayed edges:

Nowadays, the process of mass-producing books with sprayed edges has been streamlined, with publishers using high-powered machines to keep up with the demand. Plus, countless readers have been DIY-ing this effect for years, using tools ranging from spray paint to markers.

The result makes books feel more exclusive, and they're often even labeled as such, being called "deluxe" or "special editions."

If you want to get your hands on some, you're in luck, too. Various highly anticipated books are being released this year with sprayed edges, including The Lotus Shoes by Jane Yang, Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, and Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff (Signed B&N Exclusive Edition).

Additionally, even some older bestsellers will get their turn to shine with the release of special editions featuring sprayed edges.

Kristin Hannah's historical fiction novel The Nightingale, for example, will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a deluxe edition. Readers won't just get sprayed edges but also a new dust jacket, a gold-foil stamped cover, and a ribbon bookmark.

Still, while social media platforms have helped fuel the demand for colorful, eye-catching books, not every work will get such special treatment. Since sprayed edges add to production costs, publishers have to carefully choose which titles get them.

Nonetheless, one thing is certain: fantasy, romance, and speculative fiction books tend to feature them the most, as readers who enjoy these genres really seem to appreciate the decorative aesthetic.

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10 Hilarious '80s Sitcoms You Probably Forgot About

The 1980s were a golden era for sitcoms, delivering some of the most iconic TV shows of all time, like Full House, The Golden Girls, and Family Ties. But for every smash hit that became a household name, there were also plenty of other TV shows and sitcoms that wound up fading into obscurity.

Let's take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and revisit 10 forgotten '80s sitcoms that you probably haven't thought about in years.

Scroll to see all the '80s sitcoms you totally forgot about!

Lorimar Telepictures

1. The Hogan Family

This sitcom had its fair share of drama, both on and off the screen. Originally titled Valerie, it starred Valerie Harper, who played a devoted mother raising three teenage boys while her husband, played by Josh Taylor, was frequently away for work.

However, after Valerie was fired over a contract dispute following the second season, her character was written off, and the show was rebranded as The Hogan Family, with Sandy Duncan stepping into the motherly role. It ran for a total of six seasons and starred a young Jason Bateman as one of the teen sons.

Mort Lachman & Associates

2. Kate & Allie

This sitcom was a refreshing take on family life in the 1980s. It followed two childhood friends who moved in together after getting divorced to raise their children under one roof.

Starring Susan Saint James and Jane Curtin, Kate & Allie balanced heartfelt moments with sharp humor and made for a compelling sitcom. It proved that family could be redefined in unconventional ways and became a success for CBS, running for six seasons.

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3. She's the Sheriff

In this sitcom, a widowed mother of two named Hildy Granger, played by Suzanne Somers, unexpectedly finds herself taking over her late husband's job as sheriff despite having no background in law enforcement.

The show humorously followed Hildy as she stumbles through her new role for two seasons. Then, it was pulled from the air.

20th Century Fox Television

4. Mr. Belvedere

In Mr. Belvedere, the life of the Owens family is turned upside down after they hire a sharp-witted British butler named Mr. Belvedere, portrayed by Christopher Hewett. He brings a mix of sarcasm and sophistication to the household and forms a bond with the Owens family as he helps them navigate everyday dilemmas.

This sitcom had steady ratings and a dedicated audience, so it ran for five seasons on ABC from 1985 to 1990.

Warner Bros. Television

5. Eight Is Enough

This heartfelt family sitcom was based on the real-life experiences of columnist Tom Braden, who raised eight children. It served as a launching pad for several young actors and ran for 112 episodes, capturing the joys and challenges of having a big family.

However, rising production costs and declining ratings led the sitcom to have an abrupt end. It never returned for a sixth season.

MCA Television

6. Out Of This World

Even though it ran for four seasons and nearly 100 episodes, Out Of This World remains one of the more forgotten sitcoms of the '80s. It follows a teenage girl who learns that her father is an alien on her thirteenth birthday and is given superpowers.

While the premise had potential, the series never gained a lot of traction or reached the same level of recognition as other teen sitcoms. It faded away in 1991.

Touchstone Television

7. Empty Nest

Empty Nest debuted in 1988 as a spin-off of The Golden Girls and centered on Dr. Harry Weston, a widowed pediatrician adjusting to life without his wife. The idea was actually first introduced in a 1987 episode of The Golden Girls as a backdoor pilot, but the final version of Empty Nest looked quite different from its initial concept.

The show had trouble capturing the same interest as its predecessor and came under some scrutiny. Even so, it lasted for seven seasons and spawned its own spin-off, Nurses.

Columbia Pictures

8. Designing Women

Airing from 1986 to 1993, Designing Women followed the lives of four women and one man as they ran an Atlanta-based interior design firm. The sitcom started off with solid ratings and had a loyal fan base, but frequent time slot changes by CBS caused a steady decline in viewership.

A fan campaign temporarily saved it from being canceled. Nonetheless, in 1992, it was moved to the infamous Friday night "death slot" and couldn't recover.

DLT Entertainment

9. Too Close for Comfort

Too Close for Comfort has faded from pop culture memory even though it ran for six seasons. Inspired by the British series Keep It in the Family, the show starred Ted Knight as a work-from-home cartoonist navigating life in San Francisco with his wife and two adult daughters.

It mostly followed a lighthearted family sitcom formula, but it did stir controversy, most notably with an episode depicting Oakland's crime issues that sparked backlash from local politicians.

Sony Pictures

10. Square Pegs

Finally, before Sarah Jessica Parker became known for her romantic Manhattan escapades, she starred in Square Pegs. This show follows best friends Patty and Lauren, who are two socially awkward high schoolers struggling to fit in.

As they attempt to climb the social ladder, they encounter a variety of characters. Spoiler alert: they never truly fit in with any of them and continue to defy typical high schooler norms. Square Pegs only ran for a total of 20 episodes.