Buyer's Guide to a Cookier's Heart

It's that time of year again.  Snow is on the ground, but love is in the air.  We are but a mere couple of weeks away from Valentine’s Day, and gents, let’s not forget that special cookier in our lives.  Think of how much she has enriched YOUR life with countless stops at Hobby Lobby, Michael’s and A.C. Moore.  Think of how much better a person you are for knowing every detail of every cookier she can find on the web.  I know I am….

Valentine’s Day is a chance to pay her back.  Get those credit cards warmed up, it’s time for some hard core gift buying.  As per usual, I’m here to help you fellas out with this.  Most of you don’t like to shop.  Unless it’s at Lowe’s or Bass Pro Shops.  And while there are no doubt things at both of these fine retail establishments that your confectionery mistress would enjoy, we need to think bigger picture.  By the way, she really did find cookie cutters at Bass Pro Shop.

Ok, you there, looking on Amazon at the vacuum cleaners, stop right now.  I need for you to pay special attention, and quite frankly, YOU need YOU to pay special attention.  Gentlemen, for this upcoming gift giving foray, we need to be thinking of precious metals.  Oh how those gals will be delighted opening the box and seeing that shining, shimmering goodness that really is a girl’s best friend.  Wait, what?  Jewelry?  Heck no.

The metals I’m talking about are stainless steel, aluminum, copper and tin.  Stop, stay with me.  Don’t switch back over to ESPN.com.  I’m here for you, not me.

Stainless Steel

There are A LOT of products that your cookier will squeal for made from this space-aged alloy.  Kitchen-Aid mixing bowls, commercial kitchen tables, shelving units, sinks and a full assortment of appliances.

Do you only have one screwdriver?  No?  Didn’t think so, so you already know the value of having spares and extras of the things you use every day.

Lest we not forget PME decorating tips.  These stainless steel babies are produced in England and are the crown jewels of the decorating tip world.  You can't get them in the average craft store- you have to order them online, and they're not cheap.  Sure, there are other brands like Wilton and Ateco, but PME is top notch  Who doesn’t like a great set of tips?    

Aluminum

From baking sheets to bun racks, it’s not just for holding your Coors Light.  Aluminum dissipates heat well, is non-ferrous and is light and less expensive than many other metals.  Get to know this one.  And for an extra chuckle, ask someone from the UK to pronounce it.  Amy's favorite baking sheets are from Sam's Club, and the full sheet rack is from The WEBstraurant Store. 

Copper

Some of the most beautiful cookie cutters (and most expensive) you’ll ever see are made from copper.  Copper products are typically NSF approved and frankly, are just a wonderful hue that compliments the other metals well.  What?  I can’t appreciate a nice set of colors?  Ahem.  Also, mixing bowls and copper pots can be used for many other sweet treats. 

Tin

Tin is a very common metal used for cookie cutters.  Foose and American Tradition are great names in the tin and tin-plated steel cookie cutter industry- and they're made right in Pennsylvania!  These cookie cutters give her kitchen the shiny, blinding quality we’ve all come to expect.

Still wanting gold and silver?

Have no fear!  Luster dusts, sheen airbrush colors, and even dragees come in those metallic gold and silvers you know she'll love.  What's a dragee?  That's fancy baker talk for those little BB looking things that bakers put on cookies and cakes.  They have REAL silver in them, so don't eat them.  

BONUS!

OK guys, you’ve done great staying with me thus far.  So I’ll throw you a bone.  Here is a cookie decorating gift that you can go get from Lowe’s or Home Depot.  Go to the roofing area and pick your baker up a roll of aluminum flashing and a pair of snips.  This material can be cut into strips and you can form this into a custom shaped cutter if you’re so inclined.  Plus, you can pick up that band saw that you’ve had your eye on.

So fellas, shop early and don’t end up on the couch, again.  And for once, don’t make her return what you bought her and get what she wants.  You can do it.  I have faith.

Which cookie gift do you think YOUR cookier would love the most?