You are going to buy a present for a Cook but do not know where to start. You want to be seen as insightful, showing admiration for their skill, and if you want them to continue to make delicious meals for you to sample you want to make this a thoughtful Gift. Is there a way to guarantee that you gift will be a gratefully received? With approximately $70 billion worth of gifts returned every year (at Christmas time alone) you may well have noticed that not all gifts were created equal! When you are purchasing for a chef you have a myriad of options - from gift baskets that contain customized items to baskets with handmade delights. What gifts will really stand out and which ones should be avoided?
The Never-Fail Gift
The one thing you can count on is that everyone loves to BBQ. It has even been said that to barbecue is uniquely American, originally used to help cook meat that required a longer cooking time for it to be tasty. With Memorial day marking the start of BBQ season it is closely followed by Mother’s Day (one of the most popular outdoor cooking events of the year) cooking outside has become a joy for cooks. But, like all good cooks, you don’t need an occasion to fire up the grill- a gift that involves the outside world of cooking is a year round gift. Forbes states that there is also a growing amount of people using their BBQ’s in the morning - anyone for breakfast cooking?
The Show Your Gratitude Gift
Who doesn’t like food? Most cooks spend days flicking through recipes, planning out flavour combinations and tweaking ingredients. A big way to acknowledge the effort that someone has gone in to making that special meal for you is by tailor making a gift basket for them. These thoughtful gifts come in a variety of options- from baskets with Portlock salmon and assorted Wisconsin cheeses to baskets that contain handmade produce. Choose a present that you know will make someone smile.
The Avoid Returns Gift
The only true way to know if your gift has been considered thoughtful is if you see that it has not been returned and even better- it is being used. The quirky apron is being worn, the chopping board has well placed knife marks that symbolise constant use and the personalised cookie cutter has been used to serve you up your favourite plate of chocolate and pistachio biscuits. By giving a thoughtful gift that is broad enough to cover the interest of the recipient you are securing the right present.
You know that warm fuzzy feeling you get when someone opens up the gift you just gave- you see their smile and something tingles in your heart? Well, it turns out that is good for your hearts health. Professor of preventive medicine Stephen G. Post suggests that giving could even be as important to our health as leading an active lifestyle. Everyone loves to receive a thoughtful present. Choosing the right gift for the right person can show your gratitude and express your own creativity and appreciation for the recipient. In the case of buying for a cook the proof is literally in the eating.
