The holiday season is still stretching on through New Year's Eve and along with it the tradition of bringing something edible/drinkable to a gathering or party. Or even mailing out a final care package or two. Rather than the usual cookies or candies or bottle of merlot, etc., it might be fun to try one of Dinah Corley's
Gourmet Gifts: One Hundred Delicious Recipes for Every Occasion to Make Yourself and Wrap with Style. Just a quick note about any kind of homemade food gift -- you need to know that your recipient will be comfortable receiving something creatively homemade and not just accept it with a polite smile then exile it to the back of the fridge for a month before quietly throwing it away. There are people who are just kind of persnickety about this and unless a food delicacy or beverage comes from Trader Joe's or the local bakery or liquor store -- or unless they're quite sure of your culinary skills -- they'll feel uncomfortable partaking. Another thing to keep in mind is presentation. The gift may be homemade but if it's delightfully presented and looks semi-pro and not like a hot or cold mess, it can be a great success and make its recipient feel quite special.
Gourmet Gifts offers a good deal of guidance about preparation and presentation (and your budget), and what to mail and what to just carry over to the next door neighbor's. Standouts for me were the Dark Chocolate Pate, Blond Biscotti, Italian Style Crackers, the Olive Bar Selections and Cucumber Vodka. The Mumbai Mixed Nuts in a Tiffin Box were gifted to a friend who loves India and with the addition of a pinch of curry powder were a total hit. Some recipes like the Tomato Marmalade and the Mango and Tomatillo Salsa are more seasonal, but the Pistachio Sugarplums and Port-Glazed Walnuts and Stilton Biscuits in a Faux Book Box would definitely be an excellent offering for any upcoming Downton Abbey viewings. As winter settles in, I also loved the Feel Better Herbal Tea Sachets, to be delivered to a cold or flu sufferer with a vintage tea pot and jar of honey. All in all, I really enjoyed
Gourmet Gifts and think that with the right recipient and the right occasion, what you make can be very much enjoyed and well-remembered as thoughtful and creative and unique.
