I am not a big fan of shopping but I love thinking of gifts for people. It's always fun to think about what someone might enjoy and to try to be original at it. As long as I start long enough in advance, and relegate most of the shopping to the internet, I find the experience very enjoyable. A lot of my gift ideas are food-centric. This is partly due to the fact that I am a food-centric person, and partly due to the fact that something related to food gives pleasure to the recipient. In the spirit of the upcoming holidays, I thought I'd share a few thoughts and ideas.
Always reliable: a cookbookThe printed page might be suffering but it's still great to have a beautiful physical cookbook for reference and inspiration. There are many new ones on the market that your foodie likely does not yet own. Here are a few that I've been looking at:
And for the new cook (or anyone who doesn't already have it), a broad reference like Mark Bitman's
How to Cook Everything is essential.
For the gourmand (and gourmet), a food deliveryA gift of edibles is always appreciated. You can put together a gift that matches your passion and budget. A gift could be as simple as a nice olive oil and vinegar. Or, consider a few other ideas:
1. Order from an artisanal producer via
Foodzie. Foodzie is the Etsy of food and a great way to support small purveyors and artisans.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Is-jjlIfEog/SwtJiwAm2cI/AAAAAAAABwY/J_HgGPr963g/s400/foodzie.jpg)
2. Send a gourmet product directly from one of your favorite producers. Three I've sent from before include
Niman Ranch,
Salumi (the artisanal salumeria run by Mario Batali's father), and a true favorite,
Rancho Gordo (also has a cookbook out that showcases their heirloom beans)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Is-jjlIfEog/SwtLggtIoyI/AAAAAAAABxY/LaHQQS0Gwk4/s400/niman+ranch.jpg)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Is-jjlIfEog/SwtJimdfUiI/AAAAAAAABwQ/ROPnzL6kviM/s400/salumi.jpg)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Is-jjlIfEog/SwtONOFBSWI/AAAAAAAAByI/QQ9zYPWKCCM/s400/rancho+gordo.jpg)
3. Support a local business by giving a gift certificate. In Manhattan, consider
Manhattan Milk that sources from local Amish farmers and will accommodate with a gift delivery.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Is-jjlIfEog/SwtLRuvn0iI/AAAAAAAABxI/tTdz1EuIx2Q/s400/manhattan+milk.jpg)
The
Treats Truck will deliver an assortment of treats in their cute vehicle.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Is-jjlIfEog/SwtIx9PDIFI/AAAAAAAABwA/SSEAoXWhvMI/s400/treats+truck.jpg)
For your vegan foodie,
Babycakes will deliver vegan-appropriate sweets both locally as well as ship.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Is-jjlIfEog/SwtH59xZisI/AAAAAAAABvI/tQhXr9zHnic/s400/baby+cakes.jpg)
4. Assemble a gift basket from a favorite retailer like
Formaggio Kitchen in New York's Essex market.
For the gift that keeps on giving: a magazine subscriptionSupport the publishing industry by offering a unique magazine subscription that your recipient is unlikely to have, such as
Donna Hay's wonderful, inspirational (albeit costly to order from the U.S.) magazine
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Is-jjlIfEog/SwtH6KwC0CI/AAAAAAAABvY/BRleqCgwtrM/s400/donna+hay.jpg)
or, at the other extreme, for the locavore on your list, a magazine from
Edible Communities Publications (which products great local content for ~53 different areas in the United States, Canada, and Europe)
For the person who appreciates design: a beautiful kitchen itemHelp someone upgrade basic kitchen items with something more pleasurable to use, like Cuisipro's gorgeous
measuring cups and
spoons.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Is-jjlIfEog/SwtMjO-16cI/AAAAAAAABxg/zrf9LZuXgj8/s400/cuisipro+measuring.jpg)
Offer rustic luxe in the form of a hand-made wooden spoon from
Live Wire Farm that is sure to put their old wooden spoons out of business . . .
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Is-jjlIfEog/SwtPj93UxtI/AAAAAAAAByY/mnQe70f45pE/s400/live+wire+farm.jpg)
. . . or a beautiful Irish linen apron from
Teresa Green (she also has beautiful tea towels
here)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Is-jjlIfEog/SwtIxjJwmqI/AAAAAAAABvw/6JpltO89dFc/s400/scalessmock.jpg)
If she/he already has everything - consider a
Salter kitchen scale. I use mine constantly and don't know what I did without it.
For the foodie who has everything: something funNot an everyday item but tons of fun and well-priced, Kitchenaid's
ice cream maker attachment is sure to broaden a culinary repertoire
For a gift that will allow you to spend time together: a cooking class
You could offer a gift certificate or class for two at your local culinary school, or, to get more extravagant, arrange for a cooking class (and dinner) in your home
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Is-jjlIfEog/SwtPD6bi_1I/AAAAAAAAByQ/mCnpAzTafJM/s400/pizza+a+casa.jpg)
For the neat freak: a special treat to clean withWhile odd, I've had my eye on these snazzy artful sponges available at
Korin trading.
Savon de Marseille's Liquid soap is a staple in my kitchen. Available in scents like grapefruit, fig and olive oil, they will fit right in on your counter.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Is-jjlIfEog/SwtJjM5uqPI/AAAAAAAABwg/m9Dg7vFzopM/s400/savon+de+marseille.jpg)
And of course, how could I not mention:
For the art lover: a beautiful photograph from Sabra Krock photographyA limited offer for the holidays, any print from my
portfolio, or photographs you've seen on my site, $55 for 11x17 (please inquire via email).
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Is-jjlIfEog/SwyBknHOcII/AAAAAAAAByo/WaZxkwdc8Ug/s1600/cheese+and+pear+13653.jpg)
I hope this gives you some gift-giving "food for thought". I'd love to know what you are gifting this season.