The Burlington Buzz Ultimate Gift Guide for 2025

The season of giving has arrived, and we've curated a list of gifts perfect for anyone on your list – whether they loave cooking, crafting, or getting out into the world.

This story was featured in our Winter Magazine

Read our magazine today for your guide to thriving this season in Burlington.

For the Chef

Culinary-minded gifts that might just score you an invite at the next dinner party.
by Reese Oxner

• A good chef knife goes a long way. This Wusthof is an investment but makes a huge impact in the kitchen.
• A good pickle or kimchi will be appreciated in a foodie’s kitchen. Try grabbing a jar from the farmer’s market.
• Graza makes a trendy olive oil is delicious and comes in cute packaging.
• Luxardo Maraschino cherries are perfect for fancy cocktails and at $20, are a great gift to receive.
• Chili Crisp is a trendy and uber versatile condiment that anyone can appreciate. Try gifting my favorite version from Boon.
• A flakey salt is a great flourish, and the Maldon variety is popular for a reason!
• A good cheese can make all the difference. Try picking out a fancy Parmesan at your grocery store or ask for recs from a local cheesemonger. (A gift card could also work!)
• Cookbooks are my obsession. Here are three really great ones that could be a wonderful addition to anyone’s collection:
  • Korean American by Eric Kim
  • Salad Freak by Jess Damuck
  • Love is a Pink Cake by Claire Ptack
• Every chef needs a good apron to protect from spills and oil splashes. My favorites are from Hedley & Bennett, and I love my Peanuts one.
• A good wine is always a welcome addition for entertaining. I love a PetNat from Good Boy Wine. (They ship!)
• “Tweezers in the kitchen?!” You exclaim. “Heck, yeah!!!” I reply. These are great for precise items, frying foods, or adding garnishes.

Crafty Gifts

Thoughtful gifts that help spark creativity
by Nicci Kadilak

Beginner

• Woobles kits: An accessible way to learn to crochet and have a tangible – and cute! – product at the end.
• Diamond art kit: Art by symbol that ends up shiny and frame-able.

Intermediate/Advanced

• Some nice soft wool or Caron acrylic yarn: Choose a beautiful seasonal color and pair with a crochet hook or pair of knitting needles (check the label for the right size).
• A set of paintbrushes, charcoals, pens, or paints with a sketchbook or canvas to use them on.
• A nice pattern or pattern book for something they’d use or gift. (But beware of AI patterns!)

Experiences:

Experiences you can enjoy and remember together
by Nicci Kadilak

Arts & Culture

• deCordova Sculpture Park (free): Enjoy a day in the fresh air at this outdoor art museum on 30 acres in Lincoln.
• Burlington Players tickets ($): This community theater group offers mainstage shows for adults and Winnmere Family Theater productions for all ages.
• Improv Asylum tickets ($): Enjoy some interactive comedy in Boston’s Theater District.
• MFA Boston Membership ($$): Take in fine art from around the world at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts
• Boston Pops tickets ($$$): This classic Boston mainstay has plenty of holiday- and non-holiday themed shows to choose from.

Local Classes

• Bollywood Dance Class ($): Help them get active with one of these classes, offered at the Academy of Creative Arts in Burlington.
• Painting Class ($$): Classes are offered at Pinot’s Palette in Lexington and at various other locations on a pop-up basis.
• Cooking Class ($$): The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts offers many classes you can complete in your own kitchen.
• Baking Classes ($$$): King Arthur in Norwich, VT offers both in-person and online classes.
• Racing Classes ($$$$): Learn at the Rally School with Team O’Neil in Dalton, NH.

High Energy

• Go-Kart Racing ($): Get your energy out with track racing for all ages at K1 Speed in Wilmington.
• Escape Room ($$): Pump up your brain and your adrenaline at Breakout Games with various themed rooms.
• Race Simulator ($$): Drive a Formula 1 simulator at this bar/restaurant with a full food and drink menu in Boston’s Seaport.
• Indoor Extreme Sports ($$): Jumptown offers indoor surfing, skydiving, or rock climbing at in Nashua, NH.
• Golf Simulator ($$): Birdie Bar opens soon in Burlington, featuring leagues, tournaments, and scheduled tee times.