Finding the perfect gift for someone can be a bit of a struggle. Sometimes people are modest and say they don’t really need anything and sometimes they just can’t think on the spot of what they might need. Whether you want to celebrate an anniversary, birthday or just show your token of appreciation towards someone this guide is here to help you. If the recipient of your gift is a food blogger, chances are they have shelled out a lot of money in the process of building their brand on these things. You are sure to impress when they open their gift to find something so thoughtful for them. It’ll show that not only do you recognize their hard work, but you also support their brand and want to see it grow.
Tableware
Lets start with the basics. A good set of tableware sets the scene in those social media worthy posts. A few key pieces would be a standard set of white dishes and bonus points if you find white dishes with a wide lip and a bowl. Space can be hard to fill in pictures so a good rule of thumb is to use smaller plates and bowls. Because we are often staging one main item, a complete set is not mandatory. You can often times find some of the most unique pieces in thrift or other second hand shops. This will add character to your food blogger’s pictures. Smaller cutlery is great as well.
Want to support local artists around the country while getting something nice for that special someone? Visit https://www.wantnicethings.com/ for handmade one of a kind items.
Props
Once the tableware is taken care of, you need to help set the scene with props. Some props are things that can be used year round and some props are things that are seasonal. Don’t think since it is the winter season that you must give winter themed items. Chances are your food blogger is planning content in advance. If you see something that is perfect for the summer time, grab it! The key here is that you want good quality items that will look good on camera. A few props that I have include, fake ice, fake eggs, fake lettuce, fake garlic (are you noticing a pattern here) and other things. I will link to a few of my favorites at the end. Props can also include items like candles, small pictures with quotes, cute coasters and other items.
The African coaster set from Rain Sky Home is a beautiful example. https://www.rainskyhome.com/
Cookware/Drinkware
For recipe developers especially, the cookware can be a very integral part of the photo. This can vary between wanting to get that vintage, my grandmama passed down this cast iron skillet to me look and look at this new cute trendy pan. Again, you can find some really great items for the vintage look by visiting a local thrift store.
For drinkware you can get a variety of glasses for different types of drinks. Consider getting drinkware for things such as lemonade, wine, mules, margaritas, martinis etc. Know your foodie. Think about the types of things they post and which ones would be most appropriate for them. If they are into wine consider a nice decanter set, aerator or other wine tools.
If you want to splurge go for a wine preservation system like the Coravin. It makes for great photos and is always a talking piece (which means more engagement on your foodies posts so extra bonus points for you). https://www.coravin.com/
Backgrounds
When I first started blogged I thought everyone has such beautiful kitchens. Little did I know, they were using imitation backgrounds for their photos. When I first started out I made my backgrounds by getting contact paper with interesting prints and attaching it to poster boards. It got the job done in a cost effective way. The things about it is, they don’t last long. They are flimsy and being a food blogger you will create messes. They aren’t the most mess friendly either. Some companies have realized that and started creating backgrounds for us. I’ll link to a few of the 2 sided posters I have below. Some of the best sets come on thicker boards and have a tool that allows you to connect two pieces together. This way you can lay down your items on one and have the other one as the background.
One of the most sought after items like this is from Replica Surfaces. https://www.replicasurfaces.com/
You can also find a similar product from SnapIt Boards. https://snapitboards.com/
Extras
There are other items that help pictures come together and really pop. Fabrics are a nice item to have. This, like tableware, doesn’t necessarily have to come in a full set. You can put together a variety of options. If you come across a nice towel, you can get one in each color. Folding a towel next to a plate in a picture adds a level of depth and interest to a picture. Some additional extras you can get are place mats, napkin holders, fruit baskets, cake stands etc. Food and Drink related books and magazines are great in pictures as well.
Consider supporting local chefs by purchasing their books like Dallas local Chef Jessie Washington of Brunchaholics. https://brunchaholics.myshopify.com/collections/cookbooks
Above and Beyond
If you are really looking to go the extra mile with making the foodie in your life’s day, here are some things that are sure to tip the scales in your favor.
Storage and Organization-Where does your foodie store all of their blogging related items? A bar cart makes for a cute and functional way to organize items and move them out of the way. It can also double as the stage for setting up photos.
Cameras-Maybe it is time to upgrade the camera being used to create content. Find out what type of camera your foodie is currently using and find a camera in the same family but a more current version.
Equipment-What equipment could your foodie use to take their photos to the next level? This could be lights, diffusers, backdrop stands, or a tripod.
I personally use a Canon for my photos. https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog
Let this information serve as a conversation starter to learn about what the Food Blogger in your life does. Learn about their style and items they are comfortable with using. They’ll love that you are taking an interest in what they do and will be so surprised when you show up bearing a gift with them in mind.
A few of the items mentioned above:
