I've written about kitchen appliances for years and these stand mixer accessories are my go-to gift for that foodie friend who has everything

It can be hard to shop for the foodie in your life, especially if you feel like they're already decked out with all the gadgets and appliances they need in their kitchen.

But if your loved one already owns one of the best stand mixers (or has their eye on one), then you need to know about this range of very giftable accessories. Available across multiple brand types, these accessories can help make a stand mixer into the hardest-working appliance in a kitchen.

Here's a rundown of the stand mixer attachments I've tried and loved, how they work and why they are just the thing to gift the foodie left on your present-buying list.

• KitchenAid: shop KitchenAid's incredible range of attachments
• Kenwood kMix: browse over 30 attachments from blenders to graters
• Smeg: shop Smeg's add-ons ranging from bowls to pasta makers

Why these stand mixer accessories make a fantastic foodie gift

Owning a KitchenAid or a kMix has its many benefits: for hands-free mixing and as a statement style point I can't really think of a better purchase.

However, it does mean that person is very stocked up on the baking front. Mixers from brands like KitchenAid and Kenwood are designed to last for years and years, (in my case I've found that to be true) and therefore won't need to be replaced.

That's why investing in stand mixer accessories for your foodie family member or friend is a great pivot. Luckily, it's an idea that's been taken up by plenty of brands too, so regardless of which mixer you or your loved one has, there'll be a compatible range you can take a look at.

But how do they work? Well, with a KitchenAid mixer it's pretty simple. If you've ever wondered what the knob above the bowl is for then here's your answer: you can fit a range of attachments into it from a pasta-maker to a ice-shaver.

These attachments then run off of the power of the mixer when it's plugged in. And the product range of accessories is phenomenal, from a sifter and a scale that digitally weighs your attachments to a spiralizer.

The same system applies to our top-rated stand mixer ever, the Kenwood kMix (which you can read all about in our review). Over at Kenwood, my favourite attachment is the Mini Chopper/Mill Attachment (£36.99 at Kenwood), which is great for grinding spices or nuts. It could even double up as a coffee grinder for you!

Now you know how they work, here's a look at my favourite stand mixer attachments, broken down brand by brand.

KitchenAid attachments

kMix attachments

For a practical but still fun present this Christmas, I think these stand mixer accessories are perfect.

As a keen baker and KitchenAid obessesive, my favourite is the in-built scales and sifter but any of these attachments will be worth their weight in gold to the owner of a stand mixer. Which one is your favourite?