Normally, I am of the very firm belief that most kitchen gadgets are unnecessary. With the exception of something like a waffle iron, which is pretty necessary to make waffles, there isn't much need for anything other than a
razor-sharp knife, a solid cutting board, and a heavy saucepan. However, the Holidays are a time when all logic goes out the window, and we honestly believe that we won't be able to live without a $900 espresso machine or a a $1,000 rice cooker. Okay, so maybe
we will never think that, but if there is someone in your life who does, we have a dozen gadget-ous gifts for him or her:
Espresso Yourself: For $900, you could probably buy an airplane ticket and have an espresso in Italy, but isn't so much more practical to let the FrancisFrancis X1 Trio make espresso for you
every day?
Waffle House: The Heart-Shaped Waffle Iron by Cuisinart isn't so much a luxury gift for the
price as it is for the experience it creates. Waffles for breakfast are impressive, and for some reason, their being heart-shaped screams "eat in breakfast bed!"
Vita Stats: VitaMix makes the top-of-the-line blenders and juicers, and while the message from the manufacturer is for health, who couldn't whip up a blended margarita in one of these $600 machines?
Toaster with the Most-er: Pop-tarts will never be the same once you've had them out of the Bugatti Toaster, designed by the same folks who make, well, Bugatti cars.
What a Crock: Low and slow is the way to go, and with the Rival Slow Cooker, you can put together the ingredients in the morning, leave it all day, and come back to a finished product.
Grills Gone Wide: Technically, it's called an Indoor Grill, but really, would you cheat your George Foreman of making lean mean turkey burgers? Save the Breville for paninis, which can be made many-at-a-time on this particular model that has more surface area.
Rice, Rice, Baby: Because yes, someone needs a $1,000 rice cooker.
Cuts Like a Knife: Shun makes top-shelf knives, and for over $300, the Kershaw 10 5/8" knife could probably slice that top-shelf into perfect julienne strips.
In the Mix: Everyone {hearts} a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, and really, it might be one of the most coveted pieces of kitchen equipment out there. However, it's the Custom Metallic series that makes your mixer special. We love the brushed copper to match all of our copper pots and pans, but the brushed nickel is so sleek.
Deep Freeze: You may have an ice cream maker, but is it as beautifully sleek and chic as the Musso Lussino Dessert Maker? Hopefully it isn't since the Lussino is $700.
Ream Me Up: Reaming a lime for your cocktail has never been so artful.
Pop and Lock: This may be the one "gadget" that encourages us to step away from the power source in the wall. We know that microwaves are bad, and we also know that popcorn from the microwave is even worse. Whirley Pop lets you pop on the stovetop.
I come from a long-line of Irish alcoholics. And although I myself hold my liquor like a ten-year-old, I have a special place in my heart for alcohol-flavored sweet things. Indeed, I have had a torrid love affair with the bourbon ball ever since my mom first let me try one during the holidays when I was a kid.
Do you like to bake cookies with your kids? Are you interested in going to New York City or winning a $10, 000 savings bond? Well then you may be interested in entering the Second Annual WearEver Extreme Cookie Challenge.
For those of you who want something a little bit different in the holiday decorations department you may want to consider some 
There are many cocktails that can warm you up on a cold winter evening (I know, it's only December 3, but when it's Christmas time and much of the nation has been hit by a snowstorm, it's winter), but there aren't many that can honestly be called "hot." This one can.
