Buying for a bread baker is harder than it looks. They already have flour. They probably have a Dutch oven. And the internet's list of "47 tools every baker needs" is mostly clutter.
The best gifts for a baker do one of three things: make baking easier, keep the bread they make from going to waste, or give them a tool they'll reach for every single day.
Everything below is something we use in our own kitchen. Most of it is handmade right here in North Alabama by the women in our maker network, so every gift also helps a local mom earn an income from home.
For the brand-new baker
The person who just said, "I want to try sourdough," or who's been watching bread videos for months and hasn't started.
Getting Started With Sourdough Bundles Four levels, so you can match the gift to your budget and how serious they are. Every bundle starts with our freeze-dried sourdough starter and a handcrafted wooden spurtle. The bigger bundles add a bread bag, wood butter, dough sling, bread lame, bench scraper, banneton, and covers. Shop the bundles
Made With Love Bundle A bread bag, a medium bowl cover, a wooden spurtle, and a sourdough starter. Everything they need to start and to store what they bake, without any plastic. Shop Made With Love
Freeze-Dried Sourdough Starter The one thing they can't start without. Comes with instructions for waking it up and keeping it healthy. Shop the starter
The Sourdough Switch Course For the beginner who wants someone to walk them through it from the first feeding to a regular baking rhythm. A gift that keeps paying off every week. Shop the course
For the baker who bakes every week
They've got the basics down. What they need now is a better way to store, freeze, and keep up with everything they bake.
Beeswaxed Bread Bag Our flagship, and the first product we ever made. 100% cotton infused with pure organic beeswax, it keeps a loaf fresh on the counter without plastic. Dozens of prints to choose from, so you can pick one that fits their kitchen. Shop bread bags
The Crust Keeper A set of three reusable freezer bags sized for a whole homemade loaf. For the baker who bakes in batches and has been wrestling loaves into zip-top bags or wrapping them in yards of plastic wrap. Shop the Crust Keeper
Baguette Bread Bag For the baker who's moved on to baguettes, and long loaves. Shop the baguette bag
Bowl & Banneton Covers Handmade cotton covers that replace plastic wrap for rising dough, starter jars, and leftovers. Available in jar, small, medium, and large sizes. Shop covers
For the baker who has everything
They've been baking for years and own every tool you can think of. These are the upgrades.
Vertical Cutting Board Handmade on our farm from solid hardwood. The vertical back support keeps a soft or crusty loaf from tipping or squishing, keeps slices straight, and keeps fingers out of the way. Comes with a container of Wood Butter. Shop the cutting board
Bread & Butter Bundle The vertical cutting board, a bread bag, and Wood Butter, together. Shop the bundle
Wood Pulp Banneton A European-made proofing basket in round or loaf shapes. The smooth interior releases dough cleanly with less flour and gives a more refined finish than traditional rattan. Shop the banneton
Spurtle Full Set One of each of our five teak spurtles, from the narrow Original to the Large. Once they have one, they'll want every size. Shop spurtles
Stocking stuffers and small gifts
Small, useful, and something they'll actually use.
- Spurtle. The tool they'll reach for most.
- Bread Lame. A beechwood scoring tool with five blades.
- Bench Scraper. Lifts sticky dough and clears the counter of flour.
- Bread Dip Mix. Add olive oil and a fresh loaf.
- Silicone Pastry Mat. Extra-thick and oversized, so it stays put while they shape.
- Jar Cover. A handmade cover for their starter jar.
- Wood Butter. Beeswax and coconut oil for every wooden board and spoon.
- Bag Refresh Kit. Brings a well-loved bread bag back to life.
- Cast Iron Handle Hot Pad. Handmade by our makers.
- Dough Sling. A reusable silicone sling for lowering loaves into a hot Dutch oven. Replaces parchment for good.
- Sourdough Recipe Collection. A year of testing, narrowed down to our favorites. A digital download, so it's also the perfect last-minute gift.
For the littlest baker
Play-Sour-Dough Set For the child who stands next to the counter asking, "Can I help?" A handmade pretend sourdough kit with a play dough "starter," a jar with a fabric cover, a mini spurtle, a proofing bowl, a bread pan, and more. Made by another mama-owned small business. Screen-free and made for little hands. Shop the play set
For the baker's hands
Flour, dough, and constant hand washing are hard on skin, especially in winter.
Tallow Body Balm Tallow, local beeswax, shea butter, and jojoba for dry, cracked hands, knuckles, and elbows. Shop the body balm
Frankincense Tallow Balm Our most-loved skincare product, and the only moisturizer I've used on my face for more than three years. A real treat for the baker who never treats themselves. Shop the Frankincense Tallow Balm
For the hostess
Bringing a homemade loaf to a holiday dinner? Wrap it in a bread bag and add a jar of Bread Dip Mix. The host keeps the bag long after the bread is gone.
For the friend who keeps everyone well through cold season, our Elderberry Syrup Kit makes a batch of homemade syrup from whole dried elderberries, rose hips, ginger, hibiscus, cinnamon, and cloves.
Still not sure?
A Five Oaks Farm Gift Card lets them choose for themselves, and it's the easiest last-minute gift on the list.
The best gifts get used. Give them something they'll reach for every time they bake.
