Local Holiday Gifts: Healthy Eating

Speciality Items

As it gets nearer to Christmas and New Years we all start to panic about those few people on our shopping list who are hard to buy for...what to do? Instead of running to mall, run to your local food or craft's store.

Most small stores are more than willing to help you create a gift basket. Not everyone is into cooking, but everyone needs to eat. So put together a themed basket from local specialities.You can always give someone appetizer snack items.

How about an Italian themed basket filled with dried salami, Italian cheese, nuts, and dried fruit. Or a French themed basket with good Dijon mustard, French cheese and jams and a lovely baguette. Here are some other food theme basket ideas:

Indian Theme: An Indian Cookbook, Spices, Curries, and Chutneys with Basmati Rice.

Sushi Kit: Seaweed, sticky rice, Japanese vinegar, a rolling mat and chop sticks along with instructions (maybe from the internet) on how to roll your own maki rolls.

New England Breakfast: Pancake mix, maple syrup, bacon, jams, and good butter.

New York Bagel Breakfast: Bagels, lox, cream cheese, capers, white fish etc.

Scandinavian Delights: Smoked salmon, trout, and lingonberry sauce.

See what the shop has to offer and let the salesclerk recommend foods based on your recipient's food tastes. It is actually a lot of fun to put a basket together, and you will be supporting a local merchant.