Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide
If you're anything like me, you're a procrastinator. Which means you are just now starting to think about Christmas shopping. Yes, I know Christmas is a mere 9 days away. And I know that responsible shoppers avoid the crowds and shop in November. Or before. But I am by no means a responsible (or enthusiastic) shopper - I'd just as soon bake everybody a loaf of pumpkin bread and call it a day.
The good news is, there's a thing called online shopping. Which, shockingly, I just recently embraced. (Thank you, Brandon!!) Why a non-shopper like me would have braved holiday crowds all these years, rather than ordering gifts from the coziness of my apartment, on my laptop–while listening to Christmas carols and sipping a glass of wine, I might add–is beyond me. Anyway, I've finally seen the light, and therefore wanted to share a few last-minute gift ideas with you for the foodie(s) in your life. And Santa, if you're reading this, let's just say I've been really good this year...!
EPICUREAN CUTTING BOARDS & UTENSILS
Gourmet Series 14.5x11.25 Natural Cutting Board ($49.95); Kitchen Series Medium Spoon and Angled Turner Natural ($9.99 each)
Lightweight, dishwasher-safe, and made from eco-friendly materials, the Epicurean line of cutting boards and utensils are most-haves for home cooks. They're available in a variety of sizes, colors, and patterns, but I especially love the Gourmet Series cutting boards (pictured above) which has a nifty groove around the edge to catch liquids. This is my go-to board when slicing roasted meat or citrus fruits. The Kitchen Series utensils, such as the spoon and angled turner pictured here, are heatproof and won't damage your nonstick pans. And, I especially love that–unlike regular wood–they are nonporous and won't store bacteria.
Beurre et Sel's delectable cookies ($10 to $14 a package)
Baking guru Dorie Greenspan recently made the world a better place when she began selling her delectable line of cookies, in flavors like dark chocolate and sea salt (a.k.a. "World Peace") and savory cocktail varieties like Rosemary Parmesan. In partnership with her son Josh, Greenspan sells colorful tubes of Beurre et Sel (French for "butter and salt") cookies at two locations in New York City and, thankfully, ships all over the U.S. and beyond. Make sure to order by December 18 if you want your cookies before Christmas. Otherwise, they make a great New Year's present!
A selection of Oregon wines from Erath Winery ($14 to $99 per bottle)
Located in the Dundee Hills of Oregon, Erath Winery makes some of my favorite Pinot Noirs in the U.S. From their bright, cherry-flavored 2010 Oregon Pinot Noir to their smoky, blackberry-laced 2009 Estate Pinot Noir ($34), these wines are perfect for all your holiday meals (or just for sipping by a fire). The zippy apple-scented Pinot Gris ($14) is also a great match for seafood or roast turkey. Any of these bottles would make a lovely gift, but for the serious wine connoisseur, Erath offers a fantastic Wine Club. Members of the Cellar Society receive 4 shipments a year, each which includes 3 special bottles (of pre-release or limited production wines), plus winemaker's notes and pairing recipes.
Letterpress Variety Pack ($28.99)
Located in my hometown, Nashville, TN, this bean-to-bar chocolate company is making some of the best chocolate in the South. With vintage-looking labels hand-printed by the Nashville-based Isle of Printing, Olive & Sinclair's Variety Pack offers a selection of four chocolate bars from their current line of Southern Artisan Chocolate, and comes in a beautiful brown and gold box. Give the gift of chocolate this year, and your friends and/or family will feel as though they've come straight from Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.
The new cookbook! ($16.50 on Amazon)
Sara and Hugh Forte, the dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind The Sprouted Kitchen, have done it again. Not only do they have one of the most stunning food blogs on the Internet, but they have just released a fabulous new cookbook. With Hugh's gorgeous photos and Sara's healthy, seasonal recipes, this is a book that you inspires you to live a more simple, beautiful life–while eating your veggies!
VINTAGE-INSPIRED APRONS FROM ANTHROPOLOGIE
One of Anthropologie's vintage-inspired aprons ($32.00)
I love Anthropologie's vintage-chic appeal. Their ruffly, feminine aprons are reminiscent of the 1950's when an apron was actually a fashion statement (why not cook in a pencil skirt and high heels?!). Several friends and family members have helped me build my own collection of vintage aprons (thank you!) and now I love to give them for gifts as well.
