November is when I get all of my holiday shopping done. There’s nothing worse than waiting and hoping for your gift to arrive before your holiday celebration. You might say I love the holiday season. My tree isn’t up yet nor are the halls all decked, unlike my neighbours! When did the day after Halloween become socially acceptable to put up your tree and Christmas lights? Didn’t we all agree last year to leave at least the first two weeks of November for Rememberance Day/Veteran’s Day?

Anyways I digress. I’m being even more proactive this year when it comes to shopping so that December can be reserved for relaxing, baking and entertaining. Last year during Christmas I was soaking up the rays in Oahu but this year I am almost glad to be sticking around home enjoying our first Christmas as a married couple. If the holiday season means anything to me it is the food and libations with people you love. Almost all my family members are foodies in one way or another and so I present my top holiday gifts for foodies 2016 edition!

Tea Advent Calendar CANADA / USA

A tea advent calendar works for so many people tea obsessed or not. My tea cabinet is filled to the brim but 24 different teas? I’ll make room for this unique advent calendar. Perfect for a “thinking of you” holiday gift or a secret santa offering. I’m thinking about pairing this up with Emma Donohue’s latest novel The Wonder for a hostess gift over the holiday season.

Barware – Pineapple Shot Glasses CANADA / USA

Unique barware is always a nice surprise for a hostess. It isn’t something they would necessarily buy themselves but a fun token of appreciation. These charming pineapple shot glasses would make a gorgeous adornment to any table all year round. They were recently shown on Kate Hudson’s snapchat used by her bartender for Halloween in the copper colour. But pineapples are the symbol of welcoming and are perfect for holiday tables or outdoor summer parties come to think of it. In silver, gold and copper you can match your holiday colours! Available at the links above or Indigo Chapters online only.

Anthony Bourdain’s Appetites Cookbook CANADA / USA

Cookbooks are a no fail gift idea for any foodie but Bourdain’s latest cookbook is a must on any foodie’s shelf. You’ll probably find this on every foodie gift guide but it’s for good reason. His latest cookbook in 10 years, Anthony Bourdain’s Appetites includes recipes he believes everyone should know how to cook from scrambled eggs to sure hangover cure sandwiches. I love his writing and am buying a few copies for all my fellow foodie friends!

Le Creuset for those you want to impress CANADA / USA

Le Creuset says you care, you really care. This brand isn’t cheap but there’s something for every budget and in every colour. Le Creuset has perfect display style for modern to rustic kitchens. Get to know the receiver’s kitchen colours and style and you could score some major points. In pink, blue, grey, black and every other colour you can think of, you can splurge on a Moroccan tagine, a pepper mill, butter dish or gift a simple yet sleek mug.

Breville One Touch Tea Maker CANADA / USA

If you’ve ever been tea tasting at your local shop or abroad like I have you may have been disappointed when you try and brew the tea at home. I can never get the same taste as I did in the tea shop because either the water temperature isn’t right or I don’t brew it long enough or worse, for too long. You set what kind of tea you’re wanting to brew and when the water is the correct temperature the tea basket lowers into the water.

Subscription Boxes

A good subscription box can be hard to find. One that ships within Canada can be even harder. Here are a list of tested and truly good subscription boxes that ship to both countries.

Try the World – See video review by Local Adventurers Esther & Jacob. Now ships to Canada too!
Candy Japan for Japanese candies twice per month ships to both Canada and the USA.

KitchenAid Heat Mixing Bowl for the Wannabe Chocolatier CANADA / USA

The KitchenAid precise heat mixing bowl for tilt-head stand mixers is a dream gift for anyone who tempers chocolate often. It can’t also make yogurt, proof bread at the correct temperature and make fondue! Nothing says winter like a good cheese fondue in my books!

Gourmand Perfumes for Foodies

Have you ever read a description of a fragrance and thought “that sounds delicious”? From savoury to sweet there’s a perfume for that and odds are if you know your foodie well enough there’s a perfume for them. Here’s a few ideas for those who may like the following foods…
*Note: all perfumes/cologne below can be found at Sephora.com

DIY French 44

If you’re short on cash and yet want to impress this holiday season make French 44. It’s Chef Laura Calder’s recipe for orange coffee liqueur. All it takes is 44 days to make in advance but it makes 1 litre you can sort into mini liquor bottles or make 1 large gift for that special hostess. During the holidays it can be tough to keep a stocked pantry let alone a stocked bar. Your hostess will thank you for thinking of them during this busy holiday season with a special French 44 homemade liqueur.

All you need is 44 coffee beans, an organic orange well scrubbed, 44 sugar cubes, 4 cups of your choice of vodka and a sterilized jar. For the full recipe check out LauraCalder.com

Give the Gift of Food

Each year my family members and I sponsor a family for Christmas here in the Kelowna area. We help provide food and Christmas gifts for families with the local Salvation Army. There’s no better gift than giving a family in need of communal support the gift of a Christmas dinner. Offer your foodie friend or loved one to share in the experience of giving by sponsoring a family. It is a lot of fun to peruse the local shops and stores for Christmas food and toys. It is something special you can do together and is doing a lot of good for your community. I always try and sneak in some delicious specialty treats for the families as well as your staples like turkey, cranberry sauce as well as the saples. But who says the staples can’t be locally made or even a little gourmet?

Click here to find a Salvation Army in your area today (Canada & Bermuda)

What’s your favourite foodie gift to give?

Do you have a preferred food charity to give to?

There are some affiliate links in this post where I get a small commission. It’s no additional cost to you and it helps me pay administrative fees for my website.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out my Resources page for recommended tour companies and travel/foodie items.