Gift giving tends to fall into one of a few categories. Either you’re buying something for someone you know well and know you’ve nailed it, or for someone you know well but after years or decades of gift giving, you’ve completely run out of ideas, or for someone you don’t really know but either feel obligated to in some way, or you legitimately want to Doing something nice for him but not knowing what to get him.
Anytime you give a gift, it’s good to feel like the receiving party either could really use the thing or really wants it. It’s too bad when it’s neither of those scenarios, honestly. Not to mention extravagance.
So, today, I have a winning gift idea that always comes across, and since the title of the post gives it away, I’ll cut to the chase: food gifts. You’re probably thinking, “Arlene, I’ve got a box of cellophane-wrapped popcorn/cookies/fruit cake ready to go to my friend/family/kids teacher,” but that’s not really what I’m talking about here. You see, last month, to surprise my husband for a big birthday, I arranged for a close friend he hadn’t seen in over a decade to come to town. It was great, and during the long part of his visit, we asked him about upcoming holiday things: where are you spending it, do you have any fun traditions, are you buying all the kids gifts or is your family doing something else? ?
It turns out his family is doing something else. He went on to explain the benefits of food-based gifts and why he doesn’t give them to adults anymore, and it made a lot of sense. Rarely does a food item become a burden for someone to store or find a place for, and it can be enjoyed right there and then with everyone present if they so choose (or it can be stored and saved for a later date to enjoy themselves). It’s a great way to buy something very special for someone who would likely never do it themselves. He also explained how much fun it was every year to find just the right bottle of wine for his brother (or maybe it was his brother-in-law) or have the town cheesemonger put together a collection of his father’s local offerings… kind of thing, something he looked forward to doing and discovering.
So, in honor of my husband’s friend’s brilliant idea, and my newfound desire to give everyone a food-based gift to everyone in my life, I’ve put together the following guide. But first, some rules:
Rule #1: Food gifts should be very personal and special.
Knowing the gift recipient well and what he or she does or does not like to eat is crucial to the success of the food gift concept. Otherwise you risk feeling like you walked into the nearest TJ Maxx store on your way in and grabbed something from their food aisle. There’s a time and a place to buy a good bottle of wine from the store — for example… a neighbor’s open house — but we can do a little (or a lot) better than that.
This is an opportunity to give a gift to someone who might not be inclined to get it for themselves. Maybe you know a baker who struggles to justify the purchase of premium vanilla bean paste, or a coffee connoisseur whose curiosity is piqued by packets of coffee concentrate but who doesn’t want to spend the money to deviate from their daily routine. Make your gift of food something that makes them feel adventurous or luxurious without the financial risk.
Rule #2: Don’t make the gift recipient do more work.
While there are some exceptions to the food gift ideas below, think twice before finalizing your mozzarella cheese collection. The idea here is not to add to their to-do list (even if it sounds fun), but to have something ready to use and eat. Maybe something you can enjoy together, or that can be easily shared with other loved ones. A bag of biscuit mix from a famous bakery? Sounds nice, but do you know what’s better? The biscuits were actually made from a famous bakery. Place in a tub of pimento cheese and jam to round it out.
Rule #3: Get something that’s not necessarily holiday related.
Let me explain this a little because it’s completely subjective to me and my ability to tolerate endless amounts of sweets. Don’t get me wrong, give me a box full of cookies and blondies and all that jazz and I’ll be a happy girl in theory. But I feel like sugar and good baked goods before Christmas comes because they come from everywhere. Exchanging cookies, cups of hot chocolate while walking around looking at the lights, boxes of goodies from friends, bake sales at my kid’s school…for me, it’s too much.
But give me a nice set of fancy canned fish that I’ll love but never guarantee to buy, and now we’re talking. Specialty olive oils for your next pizza night? Yes please! Sure, I included chocolate on this list because some people can’t get enough of it, but don’t forget to think outside of the sweets!
Okay, let’s move on to some fun ideas (honestly, I wish someone would give me a gift because I’d be a generous and grateful recipient!). Keep in mind that you can, of course, purchase these specific items, but for the most part, they’re meant to give you ideas that you can customize to the recipient’s satisfaction (although fortunately, a lot of these items can also be shipped directly to their home in case they don’t see them in person in this holiday season).
For chefs with big flavour
Luisa Flavor Trio Combo, $29 | Easy Spice Signature Sauce Kit, $46 | Diaspora company. Nadir Al Nahdi’s Favorite Seasoning, $75
I can think of a handful of my friends who would love any of these, and I can think of a handful of others who don’t know what to do with them. This is where rule #1 comes into play again. But if you have a loved one who loves to cook and explore new flavors, any of these would be pretty great (Spoken by someone who loves to cook and explore new flavors). The Loisa trilogy is rooted in Puerto Rican food but would likely work in many other cuisines, the box from Essie Spice holds all the sauces, and the Diaspora set is solid as the beautiful boxes are for anyone interested in Indian cuisine.
For the friend with a sweet tooth
Levain Bakery Signature Cookie Assortment, starting at $29 | Compartés Chocolate Covered Fruits Assorted Gift Box, $70
A large batch of Levin Bakery’s adorable, chunky cookies is one of my favorite gifts for anyone in my life who loves cookies. They are expensive per unit but very good. These chocolate-covered fruits from Compartés are absolutely beautiful, so they could be a great choice for a very special someone you want to impress.
Best-Selling Jenny’s Ice Cream Set, $58 | Bourbon Caramel Sauce $15
Ice cream makes the perfect dessert gift to give this time of year because it can be put in the freezer when someone is ready to satisfy their sweet tooth, even if it’s not for another few weeks. Jeni’s Brambleberry Cris are one of my all-time favorites, says one die-hard chocolate lover. Oh, and add some Bourbon Caramel Sauce for a real treat.
For the cook who loves small luxuries
Brightland The Pizza Night Collection, $89 | Flamingo Estate Olive Oil and Fuyu Persimmon Vinegar, $98
I know this isn’t a “what to buy for Arlyn” gift guide, but for anyone here in my life reading this, please feel free to buy me anything, especially this fun “Pizza Night” set from Brightland. The olive oil bottles themselves are very pretty and worthy of a gift, but take the excuse to host a pizza party, and I’ll take it. But if you want something a little more elevated (and your budget has more wiggle room), Flamingo Estate has this amazing collection of Heritage Olive Oil and Sensational Persimmon Vinegar!
Maldon Sea Salt, Set of 2, $22 | Herbs of Provence in ceramic pottery, $20
Maldon salt is my “make it extra special” staple (I have a huge tub of it from Costco), so any cook in your life will 100% love this. The same with a great deal of herbs de Provence.
Rubirosa Sunday Sauce Kit, $70
Rubirosa is a popular red sauce joint in New York City, known for its vodka sauce (among other things). This amazing set brings anyone who receives it directly to New York without the trip (or the impossible waiting/booking list).
For coffee or tea lovers
Chloe Concentrated Coffee Tasting Kit, $75 | Pottery Farm Vermont Creamy Honey, $20 | Sachai Tea Company, Tea Sampler Concentrate, $35
Intense coffee is gaining traction even among coffee lovers, and this range from Kloo is quite impressive. It would be great to receive and explore something new for anyone involved in their coffee routine. And if your tea recipient loves drinking tea, there’s a focus for that too! (And creamed honey is super decadent no matter which way you lean it.)
For lunch
Cali Hot Mini Cookies Share Love Gift Basket, $55 | Marmalade Grove “Party Of Six” Gift Set $54 | Vermont Farm Maple Syrup, $38 for 16 oz
Biscuits with pimento cheese, delicious orange marmalade, and Vermont-grown maple syrup…any breakfast eater in your life is sure to love any of the above, I promise.
For adventurous snacks
Fishwife The Tinned Fish Party Pack, $55 | Crave Japan Mystery Drinks and Snacks Box, $40 | Yes The Works 4 Sando Sauces, $40
Just like coffee and tea concentrates, “fancy” canned fish is kind of all the rage at the moment among those who consider themselves foodies. And there’s no brand more trendy than Fishwife, imho. For something a little less specialized, if you have a snacker in your life, I bet they would have a lot of fun with this mystery box full of Japanese snacks. And if that still isn’t quite true, mayonnaise and sandwich lovers rejoice, because Chef Molly Paz recently launched her brand Ayoh! And you get the full flavor kit for $40.
For the baker
Hilala Vanilla Paste with Gift Box, $25 | Penzeys 4 Jar Bakers Assorted Gift Set, $37
A tub of $25 vanilla bean paste (this is something I raved about, FYI) and $37 spices (from a much-loved brand) is not how I would spend my own money even though I bake fairly regularly. But this is not based on the elements themselves, it seems like a huge exaggeration. Which is exactly why they make great gifts! 😉
For cheese lovers
Cowgirl Creamery The Ultimate Cowgirl Cheese Kit, $150 | Classic Medium Cheese and Charcuterie Board, $159
Somehow, cheese is one of the most expensive gift ideas on this entire list. Who will thank her? You can easily find a great local cheese shop and ask the cheesemonger/store worker to help you put together a reasonably priced batch. You can also send a great selection from Cowgirl Creamery nationwide (via Goldbelly, which you should check out for a great variety of food-related gifts) or a full charcuterie board from Boarderie.
For those seeking wellness
Gia Berry Non-Alcoholic, $38 | Stone Hollow Farmstead Strawberry Rose Drinking Vinegar, $19
Ghia isn’t new to the scene, but it’s still buzzy and feels like a fancy bottle of something with a little more thought than a bottle of Trader Joe’s wine (I don’t hate, I love TJ’s wine). Plus, it’s non-alcoholic so it’s still good for anyone in your life who doesn’t drink it. And while I think drinking vinegar isn’t for everyone, if you know someone who already drinks apple cider vinegar for the health benefits, this would be a thoughtful and exciting thing to try, I think.
For someone who appreciates a good steak
Porter Road’s Best Box, $145
Once upon a time, I regularly received an annual box of gourmet meats and cheeses from a client with a previous job. I looked forward to this meat box every December. Everyone on my team did it and it became an annual discussion point. Although this breaks rule #2 (don’t make someone do more work), I doubt any carnivore in your life would mind throwing a very good quality steak onto the flattop/grill/stove in any Time of year.
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So there you have it, my friends. There are many ways in which you can receive the gift of food and enjoy it a lot. And if it becomes your “thing,” I can almost guarantee it will become an annual treat for the recipient to see what you come up with for them. It’s a really useful gift that requires very little burden, so for me, this is a win-win.
Enjoy happy gift giving, enjoy everything. 🙂
Editorial Image Credits: Design by Emily Henderson | Photography by Sarah Liguria-Trump From: Holiday entertaining just got a whole lot easier
