Santa has refined his list to include some “must have” items this year. Foodie or not, everyone enjoys food and drink all year round and these unique gifts will be a delight to give or receive this holiday season. Most can be bought online or found in gourmet shops or kitchen and department stores.
For the chocolate lover: The Bialetti Hot Chocolate Pot makes a rich smooth hot chocolate with a creamy foam top layer that is easy to clean when every drop is gone. Sure to be a hit with the entire family. ($99.99 www.williams-sonoma.com)
For the coffee lover: A Nespresso Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother heats milk in seconds with the press of a button and automatically spins to create frothy steamed milk for lattes. ($99.99 yourhome.shoptoit.ca/shop/product)
For the ‘budding’ chef: A subscription to a cooking magazine or cookbooks by popular celebrity TV chefs Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsey, and Bobby Flay. (From $22-$30 www.chapers.com)
For the tea lover: A South African red rooibos tea that is naturally caffeine free, low in tannin and rich in anti oxidants. Red rooibos has a sweet, lightly nutty flavour and can be enjoyed like coffee in a range of delicious drinks like Americano, macchiato, cappuccino and lattes. (www.redespresso.com)
For the gourmet: A gift of cooking lessons. Learn to cook French, Thai, or Italian cuisine, make bread, or decorate cakes. Learn from the experts for a fun experience of eating and socializing while acquiring tips from popular chefs. (Check websites and community education calendars in your area)
For the wine enthusiast: A half case of wine with selections from around the world: an Australian Shiraz; an American Merlot; a fresh and fruity Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux; a Burgundy Pinot Gris; an Italian Prosecco Aperitif; and a sparkling ice wine for a New Year’s celebration—a magical gift from a Canadian winter. (Available at liquor stores)
For the entertainer: A basket filled with a marble hardwood cheeseboard, specially handcrafted wood-handled cheese knives and a selection of imported cheeses, fruit chutneys, and gourmet olives. (Cheeseboard, $19.99 at Wal-Mart. Set of 5 cheese knives $29.99 at Chapters. Food items at grocery stores or delicatessens)
Christmas morning wouldn’t be complete without Santa filling stockings with a few luxury items as well. Truffle oil, caviar, citrus-flavoured olive oil, Italian balsamic vinegar from Modena, and a few pieces of rich, creamy Belgian chocolate add an extravagant finish to Santa’s shopping.
For the chocolate lover: The Bialetti Hot Chocolate Pot makes a rich smooth hot chocolate with a creamy foam top layer that is easy to clean when every drop is gone. Sure to be a hit with the entire family. ($99.99 www.williams-sonoma.com)
For the coffee lover: A Nespresso Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother heats milk in seconds with the press of a button and automatically spins to create frothy steamed milk for lattes. ($99.99 yourhome.shoptoit.ca/shop/product)
For the ‘budding’ chef: A subscription to a cooking magazine or cookbooks by popular celebrity TV chefs Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsey, and Bobby Flay. (From $22-$30 www.chapers.com)
For the tea lover: A South African red rooibos tea that is naturally caffeine free, low in tannin and rich in anti oxidants. Red rooibos has a sweet, lightly nutty flavour and can be enjoyed like coffee in a range of delicious drinks like Americano, macchiato, cappuccino and lattes. (www.redespresso.com)
For the gourmet: A gift of cooking lessons. Learn to cook French, Thai, or Italian cuisine, make bread, or decorate cakes. Learn from the experts for a fun experience of eating and socializing while acquiring tips from popular chefs. (Check websites and community education calendars in your area)
For the wine enthusiast: A half case of wine with selections from around the world: an Australian Shiraz; an American Merlot; a fresh and fruity Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux; a Burgundy Pinot Gris; an Italian Prosecco Aperitif; and a sparkling ice wine for a New Year’s celebration—a magical gift from a Canadian winter. (Available at liquor stores)
For the entertainer: A basket filled with a marble hardwood cheeseboard, specially handcrafted wood-handled cheese knives and a selection of imported cheeses, fruit chutneys, and gourmet olives. (Cheeseboard, $19.99 at Wal-Mart. Set of 5 cheese knives $29.99 at Chapters. Food items at grocery stores or delicatessens)
Christmas morning wouldn’t be complete without Santa filling stockings with a few luxury items as well. Truffle oil, caviar, citrus-flavoured olive oil, Italian balsamic vinegar from Modena, and a few pieces of rich, creamy Belgian chocolate add an extravagant finish to Santa’s shopping.
