Michael Haggert
On the heels of American
Thanksgiving, those of us living this close to
our U.S. neighbours have been bombarded
with media messages to feast and buy. It’s
expected that after gorging yourself on the
traditional turkey with all the trimmings,
you must now elbow your way through
crowds of bargain hunters to save a fortune
by spending money.
If, like me, you’re finding it hard to
wrap your mind around the concept of
spending money to save money, you may be
looking for a few ideas to reduce the
consumer mania that tends to take over the
holidays. Many will turn to the kitchen for
homemade gifts, and although my sweet
tooth is never sated, perhaps it’s time to
think of food gifts other than cookies and
squares and tarts and pies.
How about those herbs you lovingly
grew in the garden this past season? Picked
at their peak and hung to dry across the
kitchen window – much to the chagrin of
your spouse who doesn’t appreciate a
periodic shower of dried dill – they are now
stripped off the stem and sit in bags and
jars, turning your spice rack or cupboard
into some strange-looking apothecary shop.
But packaged in creative containers with
nostalgic-looking hand-printed labels, and
voila – check another gift off the list.
Didn’t grow any herbs? Did you have
any luck with that tea garden? A lovely tin
with your own homegrown blend of herbal
tea sounds wonderful. Maybe order a Death
Star tea ball for the perfect pairing for a
tea-drinking Star Wars fan. A nice, warm
Share your
bounty, or
try a Death
Star tea
ball with
tea you
grew
yourself!
floral note for a planet-destroying infusion.
Did you preserve any of your bounty?
Sauces, jams, jellies and preserves deserve
to be shared. Tie a ribbon around the jar,
add a seasonal label, and your recipient will
think of you every time they sit down to
their morning toast.
Don’t want to part with any of your
garden bounty? Or didn’t grow anything
this year? Take a look at the family
heirlooms that are on that list of things to
grab in case of fire. The treasured,
handed-down recipes, if they look like
mine, are faded and there are innumerable
stains on the page. It’s time to dole them out
like the precious jewels they are.
Handwritten on sturdy stationery, collected
together in a decorative box or just tied
together with a bit of ribbon, and you’re
gifting someone with a legacy. Be sure to
write down the family history that goes with
each recipe. You might even make a fresh
copy for your own use, putting the original
in the family archives.
Friends and loved ones can’t manage to
line up schedules over the holidays? There
are often too many places to be and not
enough days to be there. Why not try the
gift of understanding and patience? As a
gift, give an invitation to a January dinner
party. Plan a lovely non-turkey meal,
complete with your finest china, silver and
linens. Make it a date when no one has to
rush off, and can linger over coffee and
dessert. Not an accomplished cook? Then
make reservations, and try someplace local
and luscious.
Not a great cook but the recipient is?
Some of my most oft-used recipe books
have come to me as gifts. Browse your
favourite online retailer, or wander through
a local book shop to check out the cookbook
section.
Kitchen gadgets may be another
answer for your faviourite foodie. Lean
towards places like Williams Food
Equipment, or support a local Papmered
Chef or Tupperware representative. It costs a
bit more, but your loved one will enjoy their
time in the kitchen even more with the best
quality tools.
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
Tell us on Facebook about your adventures with food this month,
or tweet us @thehubWE #foodmatters
December 2014/January 2015 - The HUB 7