I've come to realize that some of the best Christmas gifts I've ever received are the unexpectedly brilliant ones. From personalized luggage to a mandolin I forever put off buying, these seemingly simple necessities are ones I appreciated far more than the classic gift set of soap.
Don't get me wrong, I still love all the luxuries that I'm lucky enough to receive at Christmas, but those ingenious buys you hadn't even thought of are testament to how well a loved one really knows you. While it might sound strange to some, I was happy to see that Gwyneth Paltrow is on a similar wavelength to me, sharing in her recent Goop podcast that the best gift she's ever received was an unassuming meat thermometer (yep!).
Proving the power of a well-thought-out gift, Gwyneth's essential home cooking tool might seem silly to some, but to Gwyneth, the meat thermometer was 'the best gift she'd ever received'.
Shop this Gwyneth-approved Gift
With the inevitable Christmas feast right around the corner, I've picked out the best meat thermometers to make Turkey-cooking far simpler on the big day. Retailing at affordable prices, they're staples worth investing in for the holidays and year-round meat cooking.
Featuring a full 360-degree auto-rotating display and one-second instant-read time, the ThermoWorks Thermapen is a kitchen must-have over the holidays that will ensure your Turkey is at optimum temperature.
The Ninja prochef thermometer for turkey is approved by Homes & Gardens' kitchen editor, Lydia Hayman. She says, 'The thermometer worked up to 165 feet away, which meant I could happily crack on with prepping side dishes, setting the table, and relaxing on the couch with a glass of wine, while the app provided real-time updates on the roasting meat in the oven.'
Set temperatures directly on the device or via the smart app, the ThermoMaven Bluetooth Thermometer is ideal for perfecting your meal. With wireless freedom, it's a thoughtful gift for cooking connoisseurs everywhere.
Gwyneth says, 'I love Christmas. My husband is a little bit of a grinch, so he's the opposite. He hates Christmas music, Christmas decorations, and roast turkey. He hates the traditional dinner; he looks forward to it being over.'
When asked about her all-time favorite present, she replied, 'I can't think of the best gift I've ever received, just something that makes you feel understood, you know? Like I got a great meat thermometer one year, I was very happy with it.' A Christmas or Thanksgiving turkey tip, Gwyneth's idea of a perfect present couldn't be more handy for cooking over the holidays.
Ashley Lonsdale, ButcherBox chef-in-residence, explains, 'A meat thermometer is an accurate and easy way to check the internal temperature of an ingredient. When cooking meats to exact temperatures, it's helpful to have a tool to guide you and ensure you're not drastically under or over your temperature target. Sometimes, this is to ensure meat is cooked to a safe temperature, as with poultry. Other times, it's to make sure your meat reaches the right temperature to keep it juicy, like a medium-rare steak. Thermometers can even be used when braising meat at low and slow cooking times, bringing the temperature slowly up to break down collagen and connective tissue.'
Ashley adds, 'I usually make some sort of meat centerpiece for my family, which often involves the grill. A meat thermometer guarantees my spatchcocked organic chickens or grass-fed ribeye steaks hit exactly the temperature I'm after. It's also nice peace of mind when I'm preparing so many other dishes. One less thing to think about.'
While her partner might not enjoy the holiday, Gwyneth is a lover of the season. Recently, she shared her Goop gift guide for 2025, proving she's mastered the art of a personal, meaningful gift.
