My family has a tradition of sending holiday gift baskets of food to specific relatives and I’m wanting to continue it. The relatives in question are definitely foodies and used to high quality offerings, and they also like to eat healthy. I’ve done most of the well known options … any suggestions for something new this year?
Some local food co-ops or Food CSA’s (community supported agriculture) “farm share” will offer one time (instead of weekly or monthly) buys.
What kinds of things have you shipped in prior years? Maybe that will spark one of more of us to come up with ideas.
Do they like ethnic foods? Any dietary restrictions? Ho much are you planning to spend?
I just made a delicious granola and it was so east
i tossed a cup if oats with some maple syrup and cinnamon
toasted it in a skillet until nicely browned but not burnt; I tossed in a few toasted pecans and YUM!
You could put this in a canning jar with a festive wrap on the lid
Soupergirl has veg and vegan soups that got high marks when I sent them as gifts.
Could you do a gift box of Penzey’s spices?
Farm to People https://www.farmtopeople.com/pages/homepage has some good choices. However some of their items are available in our local specialty groceries.
If they entertain and serve specialty cocktails, then Crimson and Clove and Caravel Gourmet have fantastic rimming salts.
Liking the ideas - we’ve done most of the commercial ones over the years - cheese, fruits, chocolates, New England themes etc. The spices might work, especially because they often travel over the holiday.
There are couple of sets for crafting your own herbal tea. I think Uncommon Goods has one.
Personally, I love to send (and get) Honeybells in January. Hale Groves has them. It’s fruit again, but it’s after the holidays when we are always trying to atone for our dietary indulgences over the holidays.
One other option is a short subscription to one of the meal services such as Blue Apron. Most have some healthy options.
I’ve created theme baskets where I select a variety of products related to the theme. For example–I did a “hot and spicy” basket for friends who were really into hot peppers and such. I filled the basket with a variety of hot sauces from various regions, hot pepper jams, a hot sauce cookbook, a packet of hot pepper seeds, hot pepper dark chocolate, etc. This year, I’m sending my brother a Croatia basket (I was there this year and brought home a variety of products and gifts). My cousins (who are from Chicago) spend the winter in New Mexico and I usually send them a basket (this one I purchased from the vendor) with a famous Chicago pizza (Lou Malnati’s pizza). I knew that they liked this restaurant.
For a “healthy basket” I’d get some nice cheeses that are local to their area. I also second the recommendation above for the Honeybell oranges, which arrive after the holidays, but the recipient does get a note with the ETA. Nuts are healthy and tasty. If they like to cook, I’d include a cookbook that focuses on healthy cooking. See:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nomanazish/2019/10/24/reset-your-diet-the-best-healthy-cookbooks-of-2019/#482c790d2f7d
I’ve heard this place is good:
https://salsa-basket.com/
My youngest son is a really great cook and baker and likes to try new and complicated recipes. Keeping the exotic and expensive spices in stock is sometimes challenging. He often asks for interesting spices for birthdays or Christmas. This Christmas, some of the spices and flavorings we’re getting him include: Vanilla beans (trying the ones from Costco), Saffron (also available at Costco right now), Maldon finishing salt in both regular and smoked, Star Anise (from the local Asian market), whole Cinnamon sticks (ordered from Vitacost), Pink and Szechuan Peppercorns (from the Asian market), real Vanilla extract, Almond extract, whole coriander/cumin/cardamom etc to make his own Garam Masala blend and probably a few more I’m forgetting.
For people that cook or bake, herbs and spices are appreciated.
Barberries if you like middle eastern food. I get mine from Amazon.
Simmer sauces like Muhammara Red Pepper or Romesco Sauce.