· By Angela Seto
Last-Minute Holiday Gift Ideas for the Conscious Foodie
Gift-giving is a big part of many families' holiday rituals, but it can get trickier each year as many people may already have everything that they want or may be more minimalist or environmentally conscious about what they bring into their homes.
Consumable gifts can be less materialistic and wasteful
Consumable gifts are a great way to express love through gifting without giving the recipient more "stuff". The wonderful thing about consumable gifts is that the recipient gets to consume and experience joy from the gift without adding more things that take up space in their home for many years.
Food gifts are a classic consumable gift that can be very thoughtful when you customize it for the recipient. For foodies, these may be luxury or gourmet versions of ingredients or treats that they might not always splurge on for themselves.
If you're looking to gift your own conscious foodie this year with something with more personal than a box of Ferrero Rocher (unless that's the sort of thing they love - no judgement!), we have great ideas for favorite food gifts that make them feed spoiled!
Have someone who loves to cook or bake?
What are their favorite cuisines to make and what upscale ingredients would add a special touch to their recipes? High quality olive oils and vinegars, mustards, honey, obscure spices, real vanilla paste, and high-end baking chocolate can be exciting gifts for those who tinker in the kitchen.
For those who just love to eat
Artisan candies, chocolates, nut mixes, and dips make it easy for them to indulge without the work of putting anything together. Specialty cured meats, sausages, fancy cheese, and small-batch preserves can also be a ready-to-eat hit on a charcuterie board. Or, give them a memorable experience with a gift card to a special restaurant they've always wanted to try.
For those who have a bit of an obsession
You can also choose themes based on specific food interests that your giftee enjoys. For the coffee-lovers, cocktail-lovers, popcorn-lovers, and (insert-random-food)-lovers in your life, you can find small, handcrafted producers that source high-end ingredients or create unique flavors that they can eat or drink up!
Curation is the key to appreciation
Because they are so widely available in places like the grocery store, consumable food gifts are great last-minute gifts, but can sometimes come across as generic or less thoughtful than other material gifts. However, when you really pay attention to what your recipient's interests and preferences (and maybe spoil them with something a little luxurious!), you can definitely put together a meaningful and well-appreciated gift made just for them.