Today is black Friday - the official start of the holiday shopping frenzy.  To help you with finding the perfect gift for the foodie in your life we've once again created a series of Foodie Gift Guides. The Foodie Gift Guides have a little something to fit every Foodie personality including the techie, the gamer, the crafter, and the eco-conscious foodies.  As with last year, we also have made sure that the gifts reflect every price range with options under $50 to over $500 and beyond starting today with our Gifts on the Cheap Gift Guide. 

We hope you'll find someone in your life who will appreciate these gifts just as much as we do.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Project Foodie Gifts on the Cheap Gift Guide

The first gift on our list this year is perfect for the kitchen gardener or Green Foodie in your life, not to mention these are great stocking stuffers.  Handmade Seedpaper Recipe Bookmarks ($3.50) not only serve as bookmarks, but can also be planted in a favorite flower pot.  Within weeks they will produce delicious fresh herbs sure to spice up any meal. And that $3.50 price tag this is one that can't be beat. - picked by Heather Jones

For the cheese lover: The Cheese Tasting Party Kit ($12) has everything it takes (except the cheese and serving utensils) for your cheese lover to make their very own cheese tasting party.  In addition to a guide to hosting a cheese tasting party, the kit has profile cards for 50 different cheeses; which include a background on the cheese, its characteristics, wine pairings, tips on what to serve with the cheese and pointers to related cheeses you may like.  For the party itself, the kit also has labels for each of the profiled cheeses. - picked by Foodie Pam

On last year's Holiday gift guides we recommended handmade/homemade and monogrammed gift ideas. This year, how about taking it to the next level with a personalized mug, tote bag, water bottle, or apron that has your Foodie's favorite photo, image, or saying on it? Cafepress.com (prices start at $13) makes it so easy with the click of the mouse you can upload your favorite image and preview it before ordering.  (Hey Foodie Pam, I think we need a few Project Foodie tote bags what do you say?) - picked by Heather Jones

Do you know your Margaux from your Malbec? Bring back family game night with a bang, or I should say adult family game night, with Wine Wars ($19.95) a trivia game for wine geeks and wannabes.  Wine wars has 750 questions guaranteed to stump even the biggest oenophile or at least turn you into one.  - picked by Heather Jones

If you entertain on a regular basis then I'm sure you already have your standard music playlists - Jazz for cocktail parties and small gatherings, Hip-Hop for your little brother's birthday party, and so forth. But, if you are still in need of a little help pulling that perfect party music together try Sharon O'Connor's Music and Menus (prices start at $24).  Sharon offers an array of recipe card sets and cookbooks with a CD of music to match the dinner theme and the mood.  How about a little Bossa Nova to go with dessert and champagne or a vegetarian feast with some Cool Jazz?  - picked by Heather Jones 

If I had a cupcake for all the times I've precariously packed cakes or cupcakes for a journey….This 3-in-1 Cupcake Carrier ($24.99) is the perfect solution. A reversible tray holds 12 regular size or 24 mini cupcakes, or a 9x13-inch cake fits neatly without the tray. (Foodie Peggy recently demonstrated the elegance of this carrier when she waltzed into a meeting carrying 48 mini chocolate ganache cupcakes....she left with empty carriers!) - picked by Rosemary Mark 

Every friend of the Farmers Market needs this bag for their next trip out. The Personalized Artichoke Juke Market Tote ( $29) embellished with a screen print of the Globe Artichoke, it can be personalized on one side with a name of up to 9 letters.  The bag is roomy and durable with a reinforced bottom and clear, protective, water-resistant lining.  I don't know about you, but I just feel like food taste better when it's transported properly.  - picked by Heather Jones

Perfect for the Foodie that also likes their gadgets or for that busy mom who could use a "real" outlet to the rescue when the portable DVD player goes kaput, how about the Coffee Cup Power Inverter ($29.99)?  It's a 200 watt converter with 2 AC plugs and a USB port that sits comfortably in your cup holder that plugs right into any cigarette lighter socket.  The Coffee Cup Power Inverter has overload protection and a low battery shut-off which lets you power 3 devices at once without worrying about draining the cars battery power.  - picked by Heather Jones

For the person that has a love of fine art these Izmir measuring cups ($32) are sure to please.  Bright and colorful, these measuring cups are made of sturdy stoneware and are sure to bring a smile on that special person's face every time they use them.  Definitely my favorite pick from this list. - picked by Heather Jones 

Artisinal food producers finally have a place to sell their handcrafted edibles with the foodzie.com website that makes it like walking into your favorite farmers market or boutique bakery without ever leaving home. In addition, your purchases support people who are passionate about producing quality food in small batches. This online marketplace carries everything from produce to cheese to chocolate. - picked by Sophia Markoulakis

And for those of you looking for some general direction on personal gifts for all your foodie friends consider these great ideas courtesy of Peggy Fallon when browsing your favorite shops this holiday season…

• *I'm a great believer in trolling import and other discount stores for stylish, reasonably priced gifts. On its own, something like a colander will rarely wow the recipient; but pair it with a bag of imported pasta and tie it all up in a color-coordinated tea towel, and people get excited. Seriously. Just decide on a theme, and let your imagination run wild.
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• *Consider a good-quality loaf pan, a wooden spoon, and a recipe for your favorite quickbread.
  
  *Pack up a classic personal teapot with a bag of fragrant tea leaves.
  
  *Whether they realize it or not, everyone needs a nonstick silicone baking mat, such as Silpat. And you can tell them I said so. Prices start at around $15
  
  *Look for reasonably priced bamboo cutting boards. If you are shopping in the right places, you may even find a good-quality bargain paring knife to accompany it.
  
  *I'm always amazed at how many people do not own a peppermill. Do your part to elevate their lifestyles with this simple gift (already filled with peppercorns, of course.)
  
  *Don't overlook antique and other second-hand stores for vintage serving pieces. (These stores are rarely busy this time of year, which can make shopping a joy.) Look for a wonderful old silverplate serving spoon; monogrammed linen napkins; mismatched crystal glasses; or an earthenware platter-with-a-past to be given as-is, or wrapped in cellophane along with a batch of your favorite holiday cookies, then tied up with a big tartan plaid bow.  I also love the look of an old blue & white-patterned platter or bowl filled with fresh pomegranates, persimmons, or leafy tangerines. One day's centerpiece can be another day's snack or cooking ingredient.
  
  *Farmers' markets are another great spot to shop…especially for the sometimes-pricey produce mentioned above. (Plus, as you revel in the freedom of an open-air market, you won't have to deal with cranky holiday shoppers…or Muzak.)  Consider small bottles of locally-produced olive oil and wine vinegar to tuck inside a salad spinner purchased from a discount store. Enclose a recipe for your favorite vinaigrette, if you like. (Just don't enclose any perishable items, unless you are sure your gift will be opened immediately.)

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