As I sit here on Passover weekend and write this article, spring is here and summer is just around the corner. Holidays and family time are coming up that will create memories to last long into the future. Now is a very good time to think about gifts that will last as long as or longer than those memories. Quality cookware, silverware, bakeware, and cutlery are some good ideas to consider.
May is only two weeks away with its three holidays/family times upon us. First is Cinco de Mayo, followed by Mother’s Day (Father’s Day will be just a month later), and at the end of the month is Memorial Day, the start of summer and picnics for most people. Most of us will also have an extra reason to celebrate this year because we received a stimulus check from our Uncle Sam. In the difficult times we are going through, we need to buy or invest our money wisely. If gift shopping is going to be included in these holiday/family times, read on.
If you look back, the cook in most families was the mother. This is not true in these modern times. Most of us are on the go from morning to night without stopping. The family cook can be any family member who has the time. This is one more reason why pots and pans used to be quality utensils. There are several ways to tell the quality of cookware, with modern manufacturing processes and metallurgy, just looking doesn’t tell the whole story.
The most reliable way to buy quality cookware is to do what we were taught at a young age. Buy branded products and/or buy products with the best guarantees (beware of flashy or famous names, if you didn’t know the name 10 years ago, you are most likely paying for the name, not necessarily for the quality). Companies that have been in business for some time mean that they are providing a product that justifies the cost. Some manufacturers have been in business for many years and their products are only now being offered in the United States. Take a moment to see if they are a reputable company. Consult the guarantee. Pay for quality, not just for name.
Consider quality cookware, bakeware, and flatware as a gift. This would not only make a great gift, but money spent on a product that will last a lifetime. The key is that you don’t have to spend a huge amount of money to buy a cookware gift. Buy a single pot or skillet to match an existing set that can go from kitchen top to table, or buy a colored cast iron skillet or heavy aluminum roaster that can transition from oven to table. With the cost of gas, a trip to the mall to shop and browse for a gift can cost more than the gift itself.