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How to Do All Your Holiday Shopping at Target

From one die-hard Target fan, a guide to pulling off a single shopping trip for all your food-focused friends

by Hillary Dixler Canavan Updated

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A bag of Haribo gummy bears, a waffle maker ornament, and a Frigidaire mini fridge
A few things from Target that would make great gifts.
Hillary Dixler Canavan is Eater's restaurant editor and the author of the publication's debut book, Eater: 100 Essential Restaurant Recipes From the Authority on Where to Eat and Why It Matters (Abrams, September 2023). Her work focuses on dining trends and the people changing the industry — and scouting the next hot restaurant you need to try on Eater's annual Best New Restaurant list.

When all other stores seem like too much work, when you don’t have the patience to match your loved ones to personality-appropriate brands, or when you plain forgot to do any holiday shopping at all, consider Target. Target, the place, is where you can roam and browse, reveling in the sheer delight of total anonymity and a gajillion celebrity collaboration products. But more often, at least in my case, Target is an admittedly busted mobile app, a tool for my phone-addicted mind to satisfy its scroll instinct while staying away from the Twitter hellscape. Honestly, I love it.

If you find yourself needing to maximize your holiday shopping efficiency, this is your store. The beauty of Target is that while it doesn’t have everything, it has a whole heck of a lot, and if you’re committed to getting all your presents in one fell swoop, it has exactly what you need.

From one die-hard Target fan, a guide to pulling off a single shopping trip for all your food-focused friends this holiday season:

An open panini press.

Cuisinart Griddler Grill & Panini Press

  • $60

Prices taken at time of publishing.

The dream of the ’90s is alive if you own a panini press. This stainless steel griddler can also grill. It’s a generous gift for anyone who loves sandwiches, especially folks who cook for only one or two people.

A bright red vintage-inspired mini fridge

Frigidaire 6-can Mini Retro Beverage Fridge

  • $34

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This six-can mini-fridge has a midcentury, Smeg vibe without a Smeg price tag. I’d give it to whichever bachelor or college student in my life needs a beer fridge upgrade.

Talented Kitchen Spice Organizing Set

  • $32
  • $50
  • 36% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

For your partner who unwinds by watching TikTok and IG Reels about organizing, this kit offers everything needed to tackle an unruly spice rack. If the person in mind has a particularly large collection (or kitchen), go for the larger kit.

Samba Wood Salad Tossers with Yellow Resin Handle

  • $40

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Salad servers are a perennial host gift for a reason — they’re kind of fancy-feeling without being too expensive. These ones have a kooky energy that brings them to a more casual place.

The back of crossback linen apron on a dress form

Saro Lifestyle Two Pocket Crossback Linen Apron

  • $53

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Have you ever noticed that a suspicious majority of the cool-kid cooking stars on YouTube and Instagram wear cross-back linen aprons? I bet your Claire-Saffitz-obsessed BFF noticed.

Four black measuring cups

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Measuring Cups Set

  • $9

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Chances are there’s at least one Chip-and-Jo fan on your list. But even skeptics would have to admit that black measuring cups are impossibly chic.

A set of three cookie stamps with wood handles. One is on its side to display a Santa engraving.

Hearth & Hand Christmas Cookie Stamps

  • $20

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Cookie presses, also known as cookie stamps, are a boon to anyone who loves beautiful cookies but loathes working with icing. This would make a great Secret Santa gift for your coworker who is always bringing in homemade baked goods.

A glass cake stand with dome

Threshold Classic Glass Cake Stand with Dome

  • $25

Prices taken at time of publishing.

For your friend who is hosting a potluck, or really for anyone you want to bake for, bring your creation ready to serve on this lovely cake stand — and then let them keep it. Its simple, clear glass design should match any kitchen’s style.

A waffle maker ornament

Waffle Maker Christmas Tree Ornament

  • $5

Prices taken at time of publishing.

I simply cannot get over the level of detail in this waffle-maker ornament — and for $5 it would make a great stocking stuffer or addition to a larger breakfast-themed gift (like, say, an actual waffle maker).

An airpod case with a fruit pattern

Apple AirPods Pro Gen 1/2 Case by heyday with Angela Divina

  • $15

Prices taken at time of publishing.

A fruit-adorned airpod case is a good option for the coworker who always has headphones on.

A drinking glass

Tremont Glasses

  • $3

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Wine glasses do not need to be expensive or precious, so sending a set of these plus a subscription to Eater Wine Club will be a go-to gift for friends this season.

A shallow white bowl.

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Matte Stoneware Pasta Bowl

  • $10

Prices taken at time of publishing.

What’s the point of getting into pasta girl aesthetics without proper pasta bowls? These have an on-trend stoneware look and can also double as dinner plate-bowls.

A wood bed tray.

Threshold Wood Signature Bed Tray

  • $30

Prices taken at time of publishing.

I am fully committed to bed life, and bed life demands a breakfast-in-bed tray. Useful for eating in bed, yes, but also for making your bed a functional work space, which is great in a small apartment like mine.

The cover of the cookbook, ‘Eater: 100 Essential Restaurant Recipes.’

“Eater: 100 Essential Restaurant Recipes” by Eater and Hillary Dixler Canavan

  • $21

Prices taken at time of publishing.

I am obviously biased as the author of Eater’s cookbook, but adding one or, I don’t know, five, of these to your next Target order will set you up with a go-to gift for every restaurant lover on your list.

The cover of the book “Lunch From Home,” on which a girl stands in front of cafeteria with her lunchbox behind her back.

“Lunch from Home” by Joshua David Stein

  • $15

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This, from food writer and Eater contributor Joshua David Stein, is one of my preschooler’s favorite books, and one of my favorites too. It examines the “lunchbox moment” from the perspective of five real chefs. My daughter fell so hard for this book that we ended up getting her a strawberry lunch bag so she could be just like Mina Park, of Baroo in Los Angeles.

A cross-stitch kit with watermelon motif.

Kawaii Cross-Stitch Kit

  • $10

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Cross-stitch is a great entry-level craft for kids or for new hobbyists, and with this kit, a crafter’s patience will be rewarded with a very cute watermelon.

A set of kids’ earrings, including ice cream cones, pizza slices and french fries.

Fun Food-Themed Earring Set

  • $7

Prices taken at time of publishing.

There’s no rule that says jewelry from the kids section need only be for kids. The gummy bear earrings are especially appealing in this pack, as are the glittery french fries.

Fly by Jing Crisp Vinaigrette

  • $16

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Think of this vinaigrette as pantry level-up for all the food-lovers on your list who already swear by Fly by Jing’s chile crisp.

A bag of Haribo gummi bears

Haribo Goldbears Party Size

  • $9

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Haribo are the best gummy bears available in chain grocery stores in America, and this bag holds over a pound of them. I recommend gifting it to me.

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