Alexa Will Tip Your Amazon Driver If You Ask

Here are six gifts for food lovers, all under $50, to get you started

Photo: Getty Images

The holiday season is upon us and most of us have traded in shopping at the malls for the convenience of Amazon.

Now, there’s an additional incentive to buy your holiday gifts through Amazon — you can send a virtual tip to your driver through Alexa — and the tip’s on Amazon.

Starting December 7, any time a customer says “Alexa, thank my driver,” the driver who delivered their most recent package will be notified of the customer’s appreciation and will receive a $5 tip, at no cost to the customer. Amazon will be doing this for the first million thank-you’s received. And, the five drivers who receive the most customer “thank-you’s” during the promotional period will also be rewarded with $10,000 and an additional $10,000 to their charity of choice.

Read the complete details here and don’t forget to ask Alexa to tip your driver. To get you started, here are six gifts available on Amazon. Plus, they’re all under $50 each.

Uncle Viner Electric Corkscrew

For years, I was of the ilk that you had to use a waiter’s corkscrew and that fighting with your bottle made the wine all the better to drink. Then, two years ago, I signed up for a Secret Santa. A week later, an electric corkscrew from Uncle Viner was delivered by “Santa.” That little contraption has changed my life for the better. Corks submit to Uncle Viner as if by magic. Even my dog loves the little whirring sound. The classic corkscrew ($22.99) comes with batteries and a foil cutter — all gift boxed. Purchase one with a bottle of wine to up the ante on gift-giving.

Finamill

This little gadget is a combination salt grinder, pepper mill, and herb grinder all in one, thanks to changeable pods that store your spices. The Finamill is also pretty enough to display prominently on your kitchen counter, thanks to its sleek styling and assortment of available colors. The Finamill is so good, it made this year’s Oprah’s Favorite Things list. The Finamill starter kit ($44.99) comes with a battery-powered grinder and two pods (additional pods sold separately).

Rocket Cocktail Shaker

If your friend’s favorite TV show was Mad Men, look no further than this rocket-shaped cocktail shaker. This retro beauty has Midcentury Modern vibes and does double duty as a cocktail shaker and strainer ($31.99).

Viva Oliva Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Set

I will say it again and again…I love when people gift me good olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I use olive oil and vinegar every single day — on my salad, to finish vegetables, to lightly saute at low temperatures, to dip bread. This set of Viva Oliva's Extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars are 100 percent natural and packed in Santa Barbara, California, where olives grow alongside grapes in the state’s central region. The infused oils have no artificial coloring and no added sugars ($42.95).

Gingerbread Man Mini Waffle Maker

TikTok has made waffle makers the “must have” gadget this year, with influencers putting everything from cheese to eggs to muffin batter in waffle irons. And yes, you can still make waffles. Make Gingerbread Man waffles and lay out a decorating station with strawberries, chocolate chips, icing, banana slices, and whipped cream for the most adorable holiday brunch ever ($19.99).

Dog Macarons

At Broken Palate we never forget our canine friends. These Bonne et Filou dog macarons are the ultimate gift for your furry companion. They’re baked with human-grade ingredients and come in a multitude of flavors like pumpkin, strawberry, vanilla, peanut butter, raspberry, and more. They’re beautifully packaged in boxes of six ($21.59).