Christmas 2020
We are all staying at home more than ever and want home to be more comfortable than ever. So how about doing things for your family and friends that show how much you love them and their pets.
If you have a garden, there is nothing nicer and more useful than a gift of herbs for cooking. Or better yet, can you make a basil or other herb pesto? How about flavored oils with herbs? Homemade salad dressings like lemon dill.
A bouquet of Rosemary with lemon, olive oil, salt, chopped garlic makes a great marinate for chicken and that Christmas turkey. You can chop it all up and store in an airtight glass container for use within the week.
Maybe it’s time to “give” away your favorite recipes or BBQ, one that is good for any day of the week all year. Think about giving five to ten recipes and a complete healthy meal idea. We all get tired of our own cooking and food ideas, especially during these last nine months. I know I am. So, it’s like a new restaurant in your own kitchen or BBQ with new recipes and ideas.
If you are not up to ideas like those, how about that special cooking gadget that we all want but don’t want to buy for ourselves? Whether we like it or not, or can’t cook, most everyone has had to give it a try this last year. Both guys and gals cook, young and old. I bet we will have a new generation of young kids and teen chefs. Some things I remember people loving in my kitchen – both guys and gals; egg poachers ( my nephew went home and ordered them) a great knife- yes, they are pricey but worth it every day, a micro plain for grating veggies and cheese, salad spinner, even a special baking pan or pizza stone and pizza cutter. Think about what you would like, then wrap it up in a Holiday towel and you have a dual gift that is useful and decorative. The gift that is used every day is a constant reminder of you.
Personalize a holiday stocking for family, friends or their pets. People love gifts especially with their name on it. Some of my favorites have been beach towels with my pet’s names, coffee cups with great photos of family and my pets and of course framed photos.
Now that we all live in the digital era and rarely have an actual framed photo, how about pulling up some of those great shots and making that old fashioned type of photo album for display in your friends and family’s home? Those are gifts that show your love and thoughtfulness, plus you may have photos they do not have. Nice.
Give them some inspiration for 2021, how about adding a few famous quotes from “YOU” to the back of your photo album or add one to each recipe. All of and love into the gifts.
Of course, a flower arrangement that you did from your yard/garden is always wonderful, plus gifting your famous healthy dish!!
Happy Holidays from the Oliver Foundation.
