Remember Oprah’s big fat list of luxurious things you
super-duper wanted but couldn’t afford? And then she would have a show every
year where, like, 200 lucky jerks would get all the stuff and not one of them
was ever you? What the heck good is that kind of gift guide, I ask you, noble
Hungries? Is there actually anyone who buys for you who has enough cash to get
multiple people really fancy coffee machines, or fully-sequined Uggs, or $150
organic cotton pajama pants? Probably not. People get me, like, Yankee candles
for Christmas. Most of us don’t know that many rich people, and are far from
wealthy ourselves. So her list always bugged me, even though it was kind of fun
to look at the endless parade of shiny, pretty things. But you know what? The perfect present that
expresses to the giftee that you love them, care about them, and wish them
comfort and joy throughout the year is always better than some trendy,
overpriced gift-of-the-year.
Of course, I always know people really get me when they give me something that appeals to either my foodie
self, my pageant self, or the part of me that’s nuts about all things Kate
Spade and Tory Burch. Those last two bleed a little bit into the overpriced
territory I’m specifically speaking against in this post, but I like them
anyway.
If you want to show your foodie relative, friend, or loved
one that you really get them and want
them to be happy this year, here are some gift ideas I’ve run across in the
past 12 months.
I shared Flavour Gallery’s cool shirts with you last year, I
know, but I have to bring them up again. They now have Chris Cosentino and
Andrew Zimmern-designed wares, plus my new favorite shirt, which I wear every week as soon as it’s clean out of
the wash. It’s a James Beard joint, and it’s about pork, natch. I should also
tell you that Flavour Gallery’s shirts are completely soft and fit really roomy
and nice-like. They are so
comfortable, in addition to the fun statement they make about how up on today’s
food scene the wearer is.
My next suggestion is keeping with the pork theme, and is
actually something on my list this year. If you need to buy for someone as
craven about bacon as this girl is, think about a bacon desk calendar. What could be better? He or she receives the gift of
obsession about meat candy every day of the year, and you have the very
exciting promise of the fact that they might be inspired enough to invite you
over to eat some during the next twelve months! Now that’s a festive two-fer!
Is there a Hunger Games fan on your Christmas list? Hanukkah
list? Do Ramadan or Kwanzaa require lists? If so, drop in on old favorite
Vosges Chocolates and their little sister off-shoot, Wild Ophelia, for their Catching Fire-themed candy bars. I ate the Wild Ophelia District 3 dark chocolate,
coffee, and salt crystal bar this afternoon, and let me tell you, it did not
suck. It was a whole heck of a lot better than actually participating in the
Hunger Games, and just slightly less entertaining than actually watching the
movie. These chocolates are Haymitch-approved, and Effielicious.
An economical and almost unfathomably scrumptious option, if
you need a small gift or hostess item that will fill your giftee with glee, is
Syracuse’s own Spicy Hot Tomato Oil. This is the best thing to ever come out of
Armory Square other than BC’s lobster salad, but infinitely more portable. It
is good on bread, great on pasta, and unparalleled when mixed with a little
pesto and a touch of cream as a completely addicting sauce. It is sweet,
garlicky, savory, spicy, and fabulous. It’s available at Wegmans, at Pasta’s in
the Cuse, or right here. I make several food
baskets up every year for people on my lists, and every one of ‘em is getting a
jar of this in a couple of weeks. It’s worth noting that I just discovered a
salad dressing recipe on this product’s website that may become the reason I
eat salad in 2014.
I know I’ve mentioned Zingerman’s
to you before, but I want to drive the message home once again: there are
countless good ideas at this place, for whatever type of foodie you know, and
whatever your price range. From cookies and cakes, to Reuben sandwich kits,
bacon of the month clubs, and fancy imported olive oils, Zingerman’s sources
all the tasty things so you don’t have to. I routinely buy my bacon and oatmeal
from there, but there are about a million delicious little things available, and they
ship super fast. Peruse this site and thank me later, and again and again for
years to come.
Who doesn’t love a phone case that makes their device stick
out from the crowd? Mine, from Case Mate, showcases my BHS logo, and two pictures of fantastic food. I get
compliments on it all the time. You could put together a triptych of phtos on a
custom case for someone on your gift list, and create a really cool and unique
gift in less than 10 minutes. Whether it’s pictures of your sister’s baby girl
digging in to her one-year birthday smash cake, or the logo of your
nephew’s new brew pub and photos of his
remodeling process, this is a gift that’s practical AND appreciated.
Last but not least, and certainly more on the extravagant
side, is something I may just have to order for myself, as I suspect it won’t be
under my Christmas tree. Besh Box is the
newest culinary subscription service out there, created by New Orleans Top Chef
Master John Besh. Each month, you get a box of recipes, tools, and special
ingredients with which to make them, playlists and wine pairing ideas for
serving, all straight from the mind of one of the top Southern chefs in the
country. This could be a fun wedding gift for a young couple looking to learn
in the kitchen, a great Christmas gift for someone who’s overworked and likes
to let loose at dinner time, or if your daughter complains that her husband
never helps out in the kitchen, get him this! I am not kidding, I want a good
six month subscription myself. As it’s pricy, I may be taking up a collection
in the new year.
As we dip a tentative toe into yet another frosty season of
celebration and giving, remember that food gifts communicate abundance, warmth,
love, and nurturing. Just as sharing a meal generates feelings of fellowship
and fun, so to does bestowing a yummy delight upon someone you love. And
speaking of sharing a meal, how did your Thanksgiving feast go down? Share your
tale in the comments, and behold, one of our birds of paradise – this is
Smokey, and he was delectable!
My personality is big; my hunger is bigger!
Was looking forward to this post for 2013 - great ideas! I already have my gift for you tho ;)
ReplyDeleteI think I bought your gift in July his year? So yeah, I'm all set, too. LOL
DeleteGreat guide! I'll check out Zingerman's.
ReplyDeleteI'm buying some colleagues gifts from Zing's tomorrow, and I did two Vosges gift sets for faraway friends on Cyber Monday.
DeleteVery fun! I might be getting that shirt for Aaron. He likes to say he could be vegetarian if it weren't for bacon.
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