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Merry Christmas! Now It's Time to Treat Yourself!

YumSugar — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 06:01:31 -0800

Merry Christmas everyone!

If you've opened up all of your gifts and emptied out your stocking, but felt there was still something missing, then check out our entire 2007 gift guide. Trade in those fluffy puppy slippers for something a little more chic and sleek. From engraved bottles to fancy olive oil, you'll find great ideas for those gift cards you received.

For the rest of our guides, read more.

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YumSugar Gift Guide: Eleventh-Hour Ideas

YumSugar — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 05:01:31 -0800

If you've forgotten a few folks on your list, don't fear there's still time. You can always rely on gift cards, but there are still a few things that might be a little more suitable. The whatever-of-the-month club is always a great idea. From bacon to wine, it seems like there's a club for every kind of food out there. My personal favorite is the new Pie-Tini of the Month Club from the folks at The Grateful Palate. Each month members will receive a handmade pie, along with an original cocktail recipe inspired by the pie, and an exclusive Rossini Pie Server (a pie server with a cocktail strainer on the other end). It's so kitsch it's fantastic. However you'll have to act fast, the club is limited to 75 members only.

If pies and cocktails aren't their thing, there are plenty of other last minute options. Wrap a copy of their favorite food magazine and present them with a subscription. Or opt for something that will arrive in their email inbox. For more ideas, scroll through below.

Cooking Light Subscription (2 for $18)	Cook's Illustrated.com Membership ($24.95)
Cooking Classes ($35)	Pie-Tini of the Month Club ($66/month)
NapaStyle Wine Club ($70)	Amazon.com e-Gift Card

YumSugar Gift Guide: Handy to Have Gift Cards

YumSugar — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 01:31:31 -0800

If you don't have the time - or energy - to come up with the perfect gift for those last few folks on your list, then go ahead and get them a gift card. It may seem like a cop-out gift, but it's easy on you and they'll be guaranteed to get something they want. For a food-oriented person you can get them a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant or grocery store. You might also consider their favorite kitchen gadget place. Sur La Table gift cards actually come in several different themes. If they're a baker, get one with a rolling pin on it; if they're a cook get them one with copper pots.

If you're pressed for time, don't forget, a lot of major grocery stores carry many different gift card options ranging from major restaurant chains to online vendors. Grab a few when you're picking up your last minute ingredients. This way you'll have some on hand in case an unexpected guest stops by - just be sure it's somewhere you'd like too!

For a few gift card ideas, scroll through below.

Beverages & More! Gift Card	Sur La Table Gift Card (Baking Theme)
Whole Foods Market Gift Card	Williams-Sonoma Gift Card
World Market Gift Cards	Restaurant.com Gift Cards

YumSugar Gift Guide: Wacky White Elephant

partysugar — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:54:13 -0800

A White Elephant is a type of gift exchange in which each guest is asked to bring an anonymous wrapped gift. Usually, there is a maximum amount of money that can be spent, and oftentimes the gifts are unpractical and eccentric. If you are attending a White Elephant party bring fun shaped ice cube trays. A set of Emeril's spices are hysterical and could provoke conversation about the future of Food Network. However, my favorite gift is this chicken kitchen timer. It's ten percent bizarre and 90 percent practical. I definitely wouldn't buy it for myself, but it would be fun to get at a White Elephant gift exchange.

For more wacky White Elephant gifts, browse below.

Ice cube tray ($1.99)	Chicken Kitchen Timer ($8.95)
Veggie Ornaments ($9.99)	Wine Bottle Gift Bags ($12.95)
Essence Assortment (Set of 4) by Emeril Lagasse ($14.95)	Way Cool Way Hot Mini-Fridge ($130.00)

YumSugar Gift Guide: Newlyweds

partysugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:01:31 -0800

When Christmas shopping for the couple who was recently married, stay away from items that may have been wedding gifts. Instead, opt for fun and useful accessories for their kitchen. A simple serving tray is always welcome, as is a stylish tablecloth and napkin set. Or give them a cooking-for-two cookbook. They will be able to make delicious meals together for many days to come!

For more suggestions on what to give newlyweds, scroll below.

Stainless Steel Soap ($10.00)	Cooking for Two, by Bruce Weinstein ($19.96)
Tablecloth and 6 Napkins ($24.99)	TableTopics- Couples Edition (25.00)
Naha Serving Tray ($39.95)	NapaStyle Salt Box & Salts ($20.00 - $58.00)

YumSugar Gift Guide: Love Thy Neighbor

YumSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 07:57:11 -0800

Every year, my mom gives a big box of cookies to all of her friends, neighbors and clients. I know because I spend the better half of a weekend curling ribbons for all of the packages. This year I'm helping her branch out of her comfort zone and have come up with a few fun ideas for her neighbors. She can present them with a cute set of holiday spatulas or she can update her tradition with a box of French-Style Macaroons. Either gift will definitely be well received. If you're looking for something for your neighbors, scroll through the list below.

Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut ($18.99)	Holiday Spatulas Set ($19.95)
Red Fire Chocolate Tortilla Chips ($20)	Fig Balsamic Vinegars ($21.95)
French-Style Macaroons ($32)	NapaStyle Artisnal Salame Set & Cave a Saucisson ($36-$69)

YumSugar Gift Guide: Who's the Boss?

partysugar — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:13:31 -0800

If you decide to get your boss a gift these holidays, stay away from a generic gift basket. They'll be receiving tons of gift baskets from PR agencies and other businesses. Instead of the obvious, choose universal gifts that work well for almost anyone. Sushi plates are out of the ordinary and not usually included in an everyday China set.

Wine is a great go-to gift idea. I suggest giving a bottle of California's Ridge because it's my boss's favorite wine!

A classic cookbook, like Julia Child's The Way To Cook, is another option. The book is Child's most creative and comprehensive, making it a gift to be enjoyed by any food lover.

For more ideas, browse below.

Maki Sushi Plates ($5.95 each)	Tasting Olive Oils ($21.95)
Fluted Carafe ($29)	Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2005 ($32.99)
The Way to Cook, by Julia Child ($52.00)	Rise to the Occasion Pastry Stand ($198.00)

YumSugar Gift Guide: Jars of Joy

YumSugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:18:31 -0800

When I was a wee little kid, I remember our neighbors bringing us jars full of flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients as a Christmas present. They were wrapped with beautiful bows and ribbons, but I didn't understand how a jar full of dry ingredients equaled an awesome Christmas gift. Then, a few days later when my dad turned that jar into a batch of fantastic cookies I figured it out. They gave us the ingredients and the recipes needed to make something tasty.

If you were hoping to handout holiday cookies this year, but didn't quite get around to it, why don't you do the next best thing and give them the ingredients they'll need to make their own? It doesn't have to be cookies either, you could do pancake mix, soup mixes, cakes, or hot chocolate. To help you figure out where to begin I've rounded up some recipes, as well as tips on how to prepare them. To get inspired, read more.

Be sure to start with a clean, dry jar. Apply one layer at a time, packing each down tightly before adding the next. Decorate with a ribbon or bow, attaching wooden spoons or spatulas if desired. Make sure to include the recipe with your jar!

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YumSugar Gift Guide: Remember Your Co-Workers

YumSugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 07:28:31 -0800

Finding the perfect gift for a co-worker can sometimes be a tricky task. You hang out with them for more hours than you do your own family, but for the most part it's still an office relationship. Selecting a gift for the ones you know well will be easy, but the ones you're not as familiar with might be a bit more difficult. To help you out, I've selected a few gifts that will be just perfect. For the person who's always in charge of lunch, get them this useful Takeout Menu Organizer. Or, share a laugh by giving them a chocolate voodoo doll and watch them take revenge on the boss! For more food relevant co-worker gift ideas, scroll through the list below.

Chocolate Voodoo Doll ($7.95)	Atomic Food Containers ($8.99)
Herb Growing Tater Pots ($14)	Cool Bean Espresso Maker ($18)
Cafe Cup ($20)	Takeout Menu Organizer ($27.95)

YumSugar Gift Guide: Stuff Their Stockings With Treats

YumSugar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:18:31 -0800

Growing up, one of the best parts of Christmas morning was emptying the Christmas stocking. It was a great warm up for the stack of presents under the tree. In fact, I'd go as far as to call it an amuse-bouche. ~~My dad~~ Santa was really great about adding fun little items, and my mom would fill the rest of the space with fruit. This year, I think I'll pay her back by adding this cute orange-shaped kitchen timer to hers. If you don't think fruit is a cute stocking stuffer addition, then stock up on Dark Chocolate Covered Cacoa Nibs from sweetriot. These little tins are filled with delicious chocolate bites, and are available in four flavors. Plus at $4 at tin - or $3.33 if you buy a case - they're expensive enough to feel indulgent, but not so expensive that it's unreasonable.

If you're looking for something funnier, LesserEvil has a lump of coal made from cocoa kettle corn that is sure to be a hit at the holidays. For more stocking-stuffer ideas, scroll through the list below.

sweetriot Cacao Nibs Covered w/Dark Chocolate ($4)	Elephant Bottle Opener ($8.99)
LesserEvil Coal - Cocoa Kettle Corn ($9.99)	Gourmet Scented Pencil Set ($14)
Smiley Cheese Knives ($22)	Orange Kitchen Timer ($24.95)