Please stop besmirching the good name of my favorite gift category–edible gifts. Quit shipping the containers filled with processed cheese spreads that are mostly chemicals and the unidentifiable tubes labeled as some sort of sausage. Extend the protest to include those tree killing enormous boxes that contain a couple apples or pears. Those of us who live in the north can get apples and pears with real flavor every fall.
You see, I love food gifts. I love giving them and receiving them. However, when you send me something, please make it the same quality I give those on my gift list. There is a difference, you know, between true quality and the convenience of buying from one of those ugly mall kiosks. Food gifts require the same thought as any other gift category.
Instead of that big brand name box of gelatinous cheese spreads from the mall, consider a selection of genuine artisan cheeses from my home state of Wisconsin or wherever your favorite cheeses originate. Join me in endorsing the thankless labor of goats and cows rather than joining the chemical additive bandwagon. Speaking of myself, and I’ll bet you, too, I would much rather have a small amount of a real cheese instead of an overpriced huge box of the fake stuff.
A wine gift basket makes a delightful gift for the right person. Do remember though that this gift is not suited for everyone. Like millions of other people, I haven’t had anything alcoholic in years, because I seem to be unable to handle it. I prefer not to be tempted, especially during the holidays, but my sister would be an ideal recipient. She knows how to sip and savor; I remember only how to gulp and refill.
In our mobile society, we all have a beloved relative or a dear friend who has moved to some distant location. Think about a present of a gift certificate for live lobsters or even lobster dinners. Granted, this is not a bargain basement priced gift, but sometimes we enjoy splurging on someone especially dear.
While I made fun of fruit gift baskets earlier, there actually are places where you can order a basket of gourmet fruit–fruit that does not grown in my back yard. This is a terrific gift for someone who is a fitness fanatic or anyone who appreciates the simple beauty that is fruit.
I hope you understand… If you give a little thought to a food gift, you can avoid the line at the mall kiosk and save the heavy fruitcakes and fake cheese boxes for other shoppers. Spend an evening with me, shopping from my home office, using the Internet for all my food gift shopping. I share my real cheese with you, but you’ll have to bring the wine for yourself.
Tags: food gift, fruit basket, fruit gift baskets, gift idea, gift ideas, gourmet cheese, gourmet cheeses, lobster, lobster dinners, wine and cheese basket, wine gift basket
