Sunday, December 21, 2008

Christmas gift food

Christmas gift food is a topic we all enjoy. Special food treats are fun to give and receive. Here are some ideas for themed Christmas gift food baskets you can make for family and friends. You may want to keep one for yourself!
Personalizing your Christmas gift food basket makes a thoughtful message of care and love that is sure to be appreciated. A Christmas gift food basket for your grandmother is likely to be different than one for a child or your boss.
Elderly people may have restrictions in their diets. Don't give Grandma a basket full of truffles if chocolate doesn't agree with her. She may lean towards fresh fruit, fine cheeses, and breads. So consider the appetites of your recipient when you plan your Christmas gift food basket.
Visit a crafts store for the ultimate basket choice. Kids like handled baskets they can swing as they carry a booty of candy to their room! Large shallow rectangular or oval baskets are perfect containers for homemade muffins, breads, cookies and jams.
Crafts stores also have ribbons and laces, dried flowers and cute faux bird ornaments to embellish your basket.
Party stores carry a huge selection of tissue wrapping. Just go take a look at the myriad possibilities. You'll find a suitable paper for everyone on your list. Cellophane wraps and confetti products are other choices for a festive lining for your basket.
Now you're ready to start with the contents. One theme could be favorite foods. Does your sister love everything Cajun? Line her basket in red-hot cellophane, and fill it with assorted hot sauces, Cajun seasonings and maybe some boxed jambalaya or “dirty rice” mixtures. You can attach recipes to the hot sauce bottles for blackened catfish or gumbo for an exemplary Christmas gift food basket.
The world traveler on your list will be happy to receive a variety of exotic imported foods. Check out a cheese shop for unusual quality cheeses. Add some ethnic foods, such as German sausage, Italian pesto, French champagne and Indian condiments.
Herbal seasonings and natural remedies are very popular now. Go to a bookstore or library and get a book of seasoning recipes. Visit an herb store to purchase your selected ingredients. The party store or craft shop can furnish attractive small bags or spice jars to contain your creations. Buy or make labels for each container, with a short description of compatible dishes. For example, “Excellent with potato salad, omelets or salad.” Many common culinary herbs have medicinal value. Rosemary and garlic are good for your heart. Thyme is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic. Ask at the herb store to learn which of your selected herbs has medicinal value. Take notes. This Christmas gift food basket idea is a good choice for a cook or health-conscious recipient
Use your imagination and let the ideas fly. You can make an elegant Christmas food gift basket for everyone on your list. Remember, it's Christmas, so pass the truffles!

0 comments: