Before we get down to business, let's amuse ourselves for a moment. Quick list of kitchen gifts that will be used once or twice and then never again: chocolate-fondue fountains. Two-in-one toaster and egg poachers. Soft-serve ice-cream makers. Margarita makers. Quesadilla makers. Basically, any kind of “maker”.

While small appliances see their glory this month, let's stick to gifts with staying power. Here are 12 that won't show up in the June garage sale.

Built Gourmet Getaway lunch tote
These smartly designed, insulated lunch bags leave brown paper bags in the dust. With their cute patterns and vibrant colours, they look like little zippered neoprene purses, and they'll keep your sammie cold for up to four hours. ($26.98 for solid colours, $29.98 for patterned; Ming Wo [various locations])

Torre & Tagus Aria Lace cutout coasters and place mats
These felt coasters have the look of expensive Scandinavian design but cost a mere fiver. In a choice of crimson, cream, or black, they'd gussy up a gift of glassware. Or, add a ribbon and hang them like snowflakes around the kitchen. The same design is echoed in a place mat. ($5 for four coasters, $7 for one place mat; Urban Barn [various locations])

Doi Chaang Single-Estate Coffee
This arabica java is the product of a Vancouver company's fair-trade partnership with growers in the Golden Triangle region of northern Thailand. Add a couple of Rogers' Chocolates' Victoria Creams and call it a coffee break. (Medium-roast coffee, $10.99 for 227 grams; Victoria Creams, $2.49 for 45 grams; Urban Fare [various locations])

Peugeot Paris pepper mill
A good pepper mill is a kitchen essential, yet many people own bad ones. This red lacquered Peugeot topped the performance test on W Network's The Shopping Bags because it's easy to fill and gives a fine grind. And it's just so pretty. But it's also expensive, making it the perfect “something they wouldn't buy for themselves” gift. (23 centimetres tall, $69.98; 30 centimetres tall, $84.98; Motiv [2064 West 4th Avenue])

Escali Primo digital kitchen scale
Serious cooks recognize the need for a scale, since some recipes list ingredients only by weight. A scale also comes in handy to portion items for the freezer. This slim, easy-to-use model can be stored in tight spaces and handles up to five kilograms. ($39.99, Basic Stock [various locations])

Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Processor
This Cuisinart has a small footprint and a 750-millilitre bowl, so space-deprived apartment dwellers can chop and grind just like those with sprawling ranchers in the burbs. ($49.99, Sears [various locations])

Swissmar Cheese Knife
The cutouts in this sleek, stainless-steel knife allow it to pass through soft cheeses like Brie without sticking, and the forked tip makes for easy serving. ($15, Cookworks [1548 West Broadway and 377 Howe Street])

Sable & Rosenfeld Tipsy Olives
Marinated in vodka, gin, or sweet vermouth, these olives suit both martini lovers and those who can never have too many pickled treats. (500 millilitres, $9.49; Gourmet Warehouse [1340 East Hastings Street])

Eat Me: The Food and Philosophy of Kenny Shopsin
You don't have to know anything about Shopsin's restaurant in New York City to enjoy Kenny's quirky memoir and cookbook. This man kicks out anyone who asks that he accommodate a food allergy yet puts over 900 items on his menu. (By Kenny Shopsin and Carolynn Carreño, Knopf, $27.95)

Sassafras Little Cook Kitchen Tool Kit and Mini Wizard Cookie Kit
The tool kit contains utensils designed for little hands (ages three and up), including a kid-sized rolling pin, spatula, and measuring cups. The cookie kit features a wizard-shaped cookie cutter, frosting, sprinkles, and a magic wand. Ta-da! The sugar-cookie mix turns blue when baked. ($30 and $20, respectively; Cookworks [1548 West Broadway and 377 Howe Street])

The Genius of James Barber: His Best Recipes
Fans of The Urban Peasant will appreciate this compilation of recipes from James Barber's cookbooks, which pays tribute to the man, who died a year ago. (Harbour, $26.95)

Nigella Christmas: Food, Family, Friends, Festivities
The domestic goddess shines with everything from casual dishes for entertaining to turkey alternatives. Those who enjoy her on TV will appreciate her laid-back, so-what-if-it's-not-perfect recipe instructions. (By Nigella Lawson, Random House, $50)