Hi Moms,
Any great ideas for gifts for my grown siblings and their spouses? We buy for the kids and then do something on the small and thoughtful side for each other. One year I did "3 of my favorite things" - a book, CD and DVD, just to give you an example. This year I thought of a good cookbook and then maybe something to go with it, though I can't figure out what that should be. I'd like to spend about $30. I found a favorite Italian cookbook online for a great price and thought I'd put it with the movie Cinema Paradiso or Big Night, but both are hard to find and quite pricey. I'm just stumped as to something nice, useful, fun to receive and not too expensive. I don't have time this year to make things like a Shutterfly book. And everything must be sent as we don't live near each other! Any ideas of things you've given or received that have been big hits? I would love your advice. Thanks!
Thanks to all who responded for taking the time to give me such great ideas! I ended up with a Williams-Sonoma Asian cookbook that got great reviews. I plan on picking up some of the spices and condiments that are used in the book to send with, maybe some cute Asian condiment dishes and chopsticks as well. Thanks everyone and happy holidays!
A nice olive oil dispenser with a recipe attached would go well with an Italian cookbook. And/or a bread basket with a colorful napkin in it.
My husband and I stopped buying gifts for our adult siblings a few years ago. Instead, all of the siblings use the money we would have spent on each other to "adopt" a family that is in need. We get the family information (kids names and ages) from one of our churches and either deliver the gifts ourselves to the family or someone from the church does it. It may be a bit late in the season to start this year, but you could suggest it to your siblings for next year if you are interested. We always end up spending more money, but it's such a rewarding experience.
You could get microwave popcorn and send it w/ a DVD or two and give them "Movie Night".
If you want to stay with the Italian cookbook (which one, by the way?) Bed, Bath and Beyond has some really cute oil bottles that are super inexpensive and work great. They are a pair of bottles that fit together. Or, what about a Julie Child cookbook with the movie Julie and Julia? I'm sure you can pick that one up pretty reasonably.
Bed Bath and Beyond has a recipe book called "Family Recipes". It is blank and is for you to fill in or pass along some family recipes. You could send that along with some of your favorite family recipes.
Since you are thinking about a cookbook, why not pick a fun recipe for each family and pick up some of the ingredients and let them know which recipe you thought they would like? Or since it's an Italian cookbook, why not visit one of the Olive Oil stores that are popping up (Like the Olive Tap in Downers or there is one in Naperville too, near Penzy's) and get them a really good bottle of olive oil to cook with. A visit to William Sonoma to get a nice set of measuring cups, pot holders, etc to go along with the cooking theme....
This may seem like a strange gift, but this year, it is my favorite to give because I like it to much!! It is a popsicle maker from Williams-Sonoma! It is called the Zoku and you keep it in your freezer (it is pretty small - it doesn't take too much room at all) and when you take it out you can make 3 popsicles at a time in about 7-9 minutes. You can use all kinds of juices/yogurts/puddings and even put different fruits in it as well. My kids LOVE this and it allows me to make them healthy popsicles for snacks. It is something fun to do with them as well. They also offer a book on different popsicle recipes - I got this and the unit for several people this year. Since it is a little expensive for one person, I made it a group gift for my brothers kids. Hope this helps!
Candy you had as a kid...
http://www.oldtimecandy.com/
It's always fun and it's consumable... I think as adults we sometimes have too many 'things'.
if you decide to send a movie, cost plus has this ceramic popcorn bowl that is red and white and says popcorn on it. additionally, you could add some gourmet popcorn.. Also, years past, I have bought those red/white cardboard popcorn holders, added over-sized movie candy to them and in my case, a movie pass, along with the schedule of movies playing at the specific theatre.. but since you don't live close to one another, perhaps just add the dvd.. in other words, instead of a gift basket, you make a popcorn basket.. it comes out really cute.. other ideas.. boudin bakery online has some gift baskets you can send..
What about with a cool cooking/chefs apron... and some silicone non-stick spatulas or something???
If it's an italian cookbook, how about making an italian basket, some olive oil, dried herbs, garlic, some of the other ingredients found in the cookbook, or italian themed potholders and kitchen towels. Maybe some utensils; garlic press, wooden spoons, spatula.
My brother always gets us a variety of good coffees. We enjoy it all year long on Saturdays and then do Folgers during the week.
I just some super cute theme packages in my Food Network Magazine this month by Giada deLuarentis. I'm sure you could find them on the website too, not sure. Anyway, her tip was if you give a cookbook always make a little something from that book to show the recipient what they're in for! Cute. She also did a movie basket that was cute...although since you're shipping it makes things tougher, but maybe you'll be inspired by her ideas anyway...bubble wrap always works! ;)
Also, I ship a lot of baked goods to friend and family that are out of state and I have found that Glad Press-n-Seal is my friend! It works super awesome, especially for shipping. I think it's one of the best things on the market for preserving freshness, so if you did bake you could always wrap it up in some of that!
a special spice or another ingredient not too heavy to mail for your favorite dish from the cookbook?
