Instead of buying predictable knick-knacks and the usual fare the next time the holiday season or a loved one's birthday rolls around, why not get them something you know they’ll use? If you’re thinking about giving someone the Gift of food to celebrate a special occasion, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Start by considering your recipient’s personal tastes, then decide whether you want to buy your edible offering or make it yourself and have a way of presenting it that will keep it fresh and attractive.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Buying Readymade Food Gifts

1. Send your regards with a sampler tray. Head down to your local deli or supermarket and review their selection of specialty snacks. Aged meat and cheese platters are usually a hit, but you can also find a treasure trove of finger sandwiches, olives, breads, crackers and dips. All will make convenient, delicious displays the next time new neighbors move in down the street.^[1]
   • Charcuterie trays are a safe choice, as they include a little bit of everything.^[2]
   • Order these in advance and pick them up shortly before you exchange gifts to ensure that they’re fresh.
2. Order a gift basket. Edible gift baskets are a fun, festive way to show someone that you’re thinking about them. Most of these are made up of fresh fruits and chocolates, but they can also include selections of specialty meats, cheeses, crackers and sweets. Like a bouquet, they feature an array of bright colors and beautiful designs, but unlike a bouquet you can snack on them with your friends, family or coworkers throughout the day.^[3]
   • Check out companies like Harry & David, Swiss Colony, iGourmet and the original Edible Arrangements.^[4]
   • Pick up an edible gift basket to give as a housewarming gift, or have it delivered straight to the recipient's home or workplace.
   • Food baskets typically average around $50-60, but can get as pricey as a few hundred for more elaborate pairings.
3. Keep it simple with candy. The old heart-shaped box of truffles is a timeless gift that no goes out of style. If you want, you can update the motif by choosing uncommon or sophisticated candies like caramels, chocolate turtles, toffee, or Turkish delight. Just tie a bow around the package and your work is done.^[5]
   • Look for candy shops in your area that offer high-quality artisan sweets.
   • Include a variety of candies as an extra with a larger gift.
4. Delight with a drink. Not all food gifts have to be eaten. There are also specialty beverages and drink accessories like mulling spices, foreign sodas or alcohol that can be enjoyed hot, cold or with other tasty fare. Place an assortment of coffees, teas or liquors in a basket with a few simple finger foods, or select a bottle of vintage wine and propose a toast to health, friendship and good cheer.^[6]
   • Hot cocoa and cider make great potable presents for the chilly months around the holidays.
   • Think before giving alcohol. If your intended recipient is underage, pregnant or has a history of alcoholism, it may not be the best gift idea.^[7]

[Edit]Making Gift-Worthy Foods at Home

1. Bake some fresh bread. Nothing represents the warmth and comfort of home quite like a loaf of soft, fluffy bread. Throw a yeasty sourdough, rye or pumpernickel in the oven, using made-from-scratch dough and fresh ingredients. Bread can come in a ton of different varieties, so it makes a great edible gift year-round.^[8]
   • You can bake bread in large batches overnight, which is useful if you’re preparing it for a lot of people.
   • Don’t forget about dessert varieties, such as cinnamon-raisin, banana nut or pull-apart monkey bread.^[9]
2. Make a cake or pie. Though cakes and similar confections are usually served up after the presents have been unwrapped, they also make great gifts in their right. Whether it’s a simple yet delicious red velvet cake, a pound cake, strawberry cheesecake, or a key lime, pumpkin or peach and praline pie, it’s amazing what a little flour, sugar and butter can create.^[10]
   • Pull from your family’s traditional recipes, or try for something unique and daring to suit the person’s preferences.
   • Delicate or heavily-decorated cakes and pies will be difficult to present. These should be stored, packed and transported carefully.
3. Cook your own canned goods. Show your love with artisan canned food items, just like grandma used to do. Things like homemade preserves, butters, pickles and cheese have really grown in popularity in recent years. These items are simple to make, tasty and infinitely customizable. Best of all, once they’re sealed they’ll stay fresh for months or even years, so you can prepare them well in advance without having to worry about them going bad.^[11]
   • Canning is fairly straightforward, but does require some special equipment. Before you add making old-fashioned canned goods to your to-do list, make sure you have all the necessities: mason jars, canning tools, cookware and natural ingredients.^[12]
   • These types of condiments are versatile, which means the recipient is free to use them however they like.
4. Whip up something sweet. If you really want to spoil someone, give them their own private stash of sugary treats. This could take the form of peppermint bark, yogurt pretzels, candy apples or a sweet and savory nut brittle. These foods tend to keep better than others, but chances are they won’t last long anyway.^[13]
   • Candies and sweets are real crowd pleasers, especially around the holidays.
   • Hand out small bags of white-chocolate frosted Chex mix or caramel corn, or send them straight through the mail.
5. Prepare a special meal. One more intimate option is to invite someone to your home and cook their favorite dishes for them. Not only will they get to indulge in the foods they love, they’ll also relish the opportunity to spend time together talking, laughing and eating. Strengthening a personal connection is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give someone.^[14]
   • Throw a dinner party to celebrate a special occasion or as a token of appreciation.

[Edit]Putting Some Thought Into Your Gift

1. Know your recipient. Before you start shopping for tantalizing goodies, think about the person you’re planning on giving the gift to. What sort of foods do they like? What don’t they like? Is there anything they can’t eat? Surprising someone with foodstuffs isn’t as simple as putting a bow on a fruit basket. Try to pick out something you know they’ll be able to enjoy.^[15]
   • Find out about any unique allergies or dietary restrictions beforehand. It could be embarrassing to present a tray of cured meats to a vegan, and an innocent sugar cookie could make someone with a gluten sensitivity very sick.
   • Talk to mutual friends or do a little digging yourself to discover what might make a good gift.
2. Keep it fresh. There’s nothing worse than getting an oversized tin of stale popcorn or some freezer burned tamales for Christmas. Whatever you decide to give, be sure that you have a way of guaranteeing its freshness so that it doesn’t go bad or underwhelm once it’s eaten. It’s usually best to have an idea in mind, then buy or make it right before you offer it to the recipient.^[16]
   • Wait until as close to the gift-giving time as you safely can to get things ready.
   • Refrigerate the perishable items you buy or make so that they don’t spoil.
   • You won't have to worry about delivery goods going bad, since they'll be shipped out express from the maker.
3. Complete the presentation. Remember, you’re giving someone a gift. Don’t skimp on the visual details. Put your item in a box, bag or covered container and wrap it, if possible. You can even incorporate touches like bows, tags and other decorations to complete the look.^[17]
   • Even a covered tupperware container with a few simple embellishments can heighten the anticipation of opening the item.
4. Personalize your gift. Tell the person you’re giving the gift to what made you think of them and why you chose the food you did. Include a handwritten card with some well-wishes, or a list of serving suggestions for enjoying the gift. It might also be a good idea to include instructions for putting the food together or cooking it if it’s not ready-to-eat.^[18]
   • Come up with a touching or playful message, like “here are some sweets for a sweet girl” with a box of truffles, or “we just go together” with a wine and cheese pairing.
   • Briefly describe what they’ll find inside, especially if a food is uncommon or not immediately recognizable.

[Edit]Tips

• Edible gifts are perfect for the foodies in your life.
• Prepare your favorite specialties in bulk and give them out during the Christmas season.
• If your dish is going to a household, be sure to make enough for everybody.
• Be considerate and choose food items accordingly if the recipient is on a special diet.
• Utilize creative containers—jars, tins, Chinese takeout boxes or bundles of decorative linen—for more visual appeal.
• To get inspired, check out cooking and home decorating publications.

[Edit]Warnings

• Be careful not to offend your recipient by giving them something prohibited by their lifestyle or religious beliefs, or by choosing items that might have insulting connotations, such as low-fat foods.

[Edit]References