Posted by myarticlenetwork on January 21, 2010
We all have a friend who is totally helpless in the kitchen. Actually, if you don’t have a friend like that, read on, because I have enough friends who meet that description to share at least one of mine with you.
I probably should warn you in advance that you better like this friend quite a bit, because the gift tip I’m going to offer is a bit on the pricey side, although it is worth every penny. Perhaps that nameless guy is your roommate, your cousin or even your own son who you can seem to get to move out of your house.
Give the gift of a nice romantic dinner with the person of his own choice–right there in his home. Let’s face it, nothing sweeps a potential partner off his or her feet quite like a private, romantic, home made dinner. Now, the friend I’m thinking of needs all the help he can get in this regard. You may need to be very specific when you give him your gift and the instructions to go with it. Remind him to light candles, choose the music for him and suggest he pick up his dirty socks.
Start with a gift of a gourmet cheese for the beginning course If he is capable of slicing a couple pears or apples, suggest that as well. This course can actually be a nice appetizer, before they are actually seated at the dining table.
For the main course, present him with a gift certificate for a delicious lobster dinner or perhaps a surf and turf meal, if he is a beef addict. As noted, this guy needs plenty of help, so the fresher the lobster the better.
End the evening with a delicious, New York cheesecake or a turtle cheesecake, if he is a chocolate enthusiast for dessert. Whichever cheesecake option you choose, tell him to spruce up the serving with a few fresh berries or a sprig of fresh mint.
If he drinks alcoholic beverages, do not trust him to choose the wine for the dinner. Lobster is very hearty fare, so don’t be afraid to suggest he pair it with a bold wine such as a Merlot or even a Burgundy.
Once you’ve done your part in the scheme, relax until you receive the engagement announcement. If you learn that the perfect evening didn’t work, just give up on him, and next time you can enjoy the delicious meal with your own favorite partner.
Posted by myarticlenetwork on December 5, 2009
Walking through a crowded store with my arms full of packages is not my cup of tea. My mother adores shopping, but I did not inherit that part of her genetic composition. The part that I detest the most, however, is trying to figure out what presents everyone would actually appreciate. I used to have this inescapable fear that all of my gift shopping efforts would culminate in a rushed trip back to the store or, worse, out to the trash receptacle. I could never develop any sort of confidence about what to get my Grandma or dear Uncle Arthur. Now, I can enjoy the cute shops and the department stores, especially during the holidays, because I can walk through empty handed, unhurried, with all of my shopping finished. I do all my shopping on the Internet, now. Well practically all of it.
While online shopping keeps me from being pushed around in a busy department store or standing in line at a little boutique, it doesn’t keep me from the most dreaded part of any gift giving event; choosing the right gift for a birthday, a holiday, a sick friend or whomever. Then about five years ago, I discovered food.
Of course, I actually discovered food when I was still an infant, but it didn’t occur to me as a great gift until I had suffered through many rounds of birthdays, baby showers, and countless other events that seem to always pop up. I received a gift basket of little sausages, spreadable cheeses and plain crackers. It was terrible! At the same time, though, I thought what a great gift this could have been. All they had to change in the gift was the quality of the contents!
Since that moment of momentous insight on my part, I have been a dedicated sampler of a variety of food gifts that I buy for myself on the Internet. (It’s a tough job, but I am up to the challenge as long as I carefully pace myself!) I have found that the online gift food stores handle everything from shipping to the accompanying gift cards. Yes, I actually send myself a gift card to test the store’s dedication to detail. The Internet boutiques are now the sources for all of my gifts, except those gifts of my loved ones who happen to live very nearby.
The wide selection of quality gift foods available is truly remarkable. It ranges from live lobster dinners to a gourmet fruit basket; from cookie bouquets to live lobsters; from wine gift baskets to imported caviar or fine Wisconsin cheeses.
For those on my gift list who live nearby, I usually assemble my own gift baskets. Even in those cases, the Internet comes to my rescue with helpful suggestions about how to make my self-assembled gift foods more interesting. The available articles also have great gift ideas for special people who often happen to be especially difficult when it comes to choosing a gift.
If you see me walking down a store aisle with a smile on my face when everybody else seems frantic, you will now know my secret. But let’s keep it a secret from my Uncle Arthur.
