“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”

When it comes to gift giving the thing I always try to remember is this, the simpler the gift the better.  Extravagant items are nice, but I have found that those are the ones that are most likely to be returned after the Holidays.  If you know the recipient well you can put some real thought into it.  Give them something you know they will use and something they might not necessarily buy for themselves even if its as basic as a brand new cast iron pan. 

1. Anything Homemade or Handmade – I love making vintage inspired aprons, jams, chutneys, homemade soaps and candles. Channel your inner Martha this holiday season and show off some of those hidden talents that you have. But, if you like the idea of handmade gifts and just don’t have the time to do it yourself a great online resource is Etsy, not only will you find vintage aprons, linens, and artisan candies, but you'll also find handmade jewelry, handbags, and clothing.  It is the premier source for purchasing handmade goods with loads and loads of fabulous items for under $25.

1. Cookbooks – Now this is a given, if you have a true Foodie in your life they can never have too many cookbooks and there are so many good ones under $25 its criminal.  If you're looking for a few suggestions, be sure to take a look at some of the ones Team Project Foodie has spotlighted this year.

1. Spices – Now this may seem odd, but seriously hear me out. There have been many times that I go to my local market only to see that they don’t have what I’m looking for in order to try out a new recipe. Penzeys and TSP Spices have a great selection from the most common to the most obscure spices.  They also have numerous gift packs that are just right for Holiday gift giving.

1. Seeds – With the ever rising costs of produce and lack of local CSAs and Farmers' Markets in selected areas, encourage someone to start their own Kitchen Potager or Victory Garden this coming spring.  Put together a small basket with a selection of heirloom seeds, gardening gloves and an inexpensive watering can.  Check out Johnny's Selected Seeds, Kitchen Garden Seeds, Cook's Garden, Bountiful Gardens, and Territorial Seed.

1. Custom Cereal – Know someone who really digs their granola? Create a custom mix just for them at Me and Goji Custom Artisanal cereal.  Prices start at $4.99 for a 21oz capsule; you can choose from over 40 all natural ingredients like soy, flax seed, amaranth, blueberries, sunflowers, brazil nuts, you name it.  My Artisan, Blueberry and Walnut mix cost me about $9. 

1. For the Wine lover – Here’s a gift for the oenophile (wine lover) that has everything, but I bet they don’t have this.  The Soiree mini wine decanter sits on top of your bottle of wine decanting it as you pour, how cool is that.  www.winesoiree.com

1. Cooks Tools – There are many inexpensive gadgets to be had - microplanes of every shape and size imaginable, specialty peelers, and one of my personal favorites for the tea drinker in your life, there are silicone tea infusers sold from Neiman Marcus and only $15 dollars to boot. Other sources for cook's tools include Williams Sonoma, Sur la Table, and Chefs Catalog.

1. Serveware – Every single time I go to entertain I come up short a platter or serving bowl. Of course, I don’t think about it again until an hour before the guests arrive and that’s not nearly enough time to run out and pick something up.  Basic white is best for showing off your special dish since patterns can often take the attention away from what should be the main focus - the food.  The Martha Stewart Serveware Collection at Macy's and Sur La Table has an excellent assortment to choose from.
   

1. For the Tea lover – I had the pleasure of visiting a Teavana retail store about two years ago and I have never been the same since. Their blends of Tea are unlike any I’ve ever had.  Treat the tea lover in your life to some of the best teas around.  My personal favorites are the Zingiber Ginger Coconut Roobios Tea and the Mrs. Earl Grey Flavored black tea. www.teavana.com.
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3. For the Coffee Lover – Okay I’m breaking the $25 rule here, but let’s face it how many Starbucks gift cards can you give?  I have to admit that I was pretty skeptical about the whole “pod” style coffee pots when they came out, but as a tea drinker living with a coffee drinker there was no need to have one of those huge, expensive coffee makers to make one cup of coffee a day.  Melitta and Senseo both have well rated and reasonably priced pod style single cup makers at under $75.
   
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