I need a gift idea for a friend...

[driver8]

A good friend of mine sends my family a nice selection of chocolates every year, and I like to send her something, too.

She likes to cook, likes good food and wine.

This year, I am at a loss as to what to send her.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Good websites for shopping?

Your assistance is appreciated.

[Arugula Latte]

1. I know that cooks always appreciate a very good bottle of olive oil

It's useful, it's delicious. Some of the bottles themselves are gorgeous in their own right, too.

[driver8]

2. That's a good idea -- thanks! n/t

[redwitch]

3. Perfect gift for a foodie!

I second this. :thumbsup:

[HopeHoops]

4. A Wusthof knife - the Grand Prix in particular. Sword steel quality.

You can bend it 90 degrees pushing down on a cutting board and it flexes without complaint. My kids gave it to me ten years ago and I've never sharpened it. It will slice a tomato so thin that you can see through the slice.

[pitohui]

5. a knife breaks the friendship

you may call it superstition but the last time i gave a knife i didn't lay eyes on the person again for almost two decades

frankly if a friend is just giving a token gift of chocolate that's what they're getting back, a token gift of chocolate or wine or as another says olive oil

i would prefer NOT to exchange gifts at all, but apparently it's too late, the chocolate has already arrived and obligation incurred...you need to have that conversation before dec. 7

[suninvited]

11. you are supposed to tape a penny to the knife if you give it as a gift

and the reciever of the knife is supposed to give you the penny back.

I dont know why. But it is supposed to break the superstition of a knife breaking a friendship.

[Kali]

15. it's so the recipient "buys" the knife

[MicaelS]

6. How about a Gift Card?

From Bed Bath and Beyond, or better yet, from Chef's. So much to drool over at the latter.

http://www.chefscatalog.com/

[Heidi]

7. I've got your chocolatier right here:

I recommend their Lindor Truffles: http://www.lindtusa.com/category-exec/category_id/18/nm/Lindor_Truffles

CMW, though, is a huge fan of Lindt & Sprüngli's "Luxemburgerli," but it doesn't look like these are available on the US website. If you'd like to give this to your friend, send me a PM, and CMW and I will order them here and send them on to you.

http://collection.spruengli.ch/luxemburgerli.php?pid=be0c36d8788f6d08a1d5450c03943d6e

[driver8]

14. That is very generous of you, thank you so much!

I think I may order the truffles for my wife...she loves truffles!

[Crystal Clarity]

16. Yum Lindor Truffles!!!

:9 I knew I'd regret opening this thread. Mega-craving right now!!! Lots of good gift ideas here though. :-)

[myrna minx]

8. Penzy spices have lovely gift boxes. Every foodie loves new herbs and spices!

http://www.penzeys.com/

[Heidi]

10. Oh!!!!!!!

Do you and I have a common DU friend? Or are you a longtime Penzeys fan? :hug:

EXCELLENT suggestion! See my post downthread. :thumbsup:

[myrna minx]

12. I'm fortunate enough to live just a few blocks away from a Penzys store.

I *love* their stuff and I go in there just to ogle the curries. :hi:

[driver8]

13. Wow -- this looks perfect!!

Thanks! :hi:

[Moondog]

19. Have to second this one. Been buying from Penzey's for over ten years.

The thing is - until I tried them, I really didn't understand just how potent good spices and herbs could be. Have to alter recipes once you start using them. FWIW.

[Heidi]

9. We recently received as a Christmas gift from a DU friend a bunch of Penzeys spices.

Can't recommend them highly enough. We're a couple who love to cook, and Penzeys beats the hell out of all spices I can get here. We recommend the 100 percent pure vanilla extract, celery salt, shallot pepper and Sunny France seasoning.

And the spices/flavorings are beautifully presented.

http://www.penzeys.com/

[Arkansas Granny]

17. I have assembled a gift bag of kitchen gadgets for someone who loves

to cook before and it was greatly appreciated. I looked for really nice quality, but small items, like a hardwood lemon reamer, new potholders and kitchen towels, bamboo utensils or any number of neat little kitchen helpers that a person doesn't shop for on their own. You could even use the towels in lieu of wrapping paper or put everything into a nice stainless steel colander and wrap it like a gift basket. It's fun to assemble and it's like opening a little treasure chest.

[Joe Fields]

18. A really good knife.

[Generic Brad]

20. The St Paul Fireman Calendar

But only if she likes beefcake.