Last-Minute Gift Guide
The holidays are right around the corner and, before I sign off for the year, I’d love to share some ideas for simple gifts. None of these require much planning ahead, because I know that it isn’t always possible to order something weeks beforehand, wait for it to arrive in the mail, and then wrap it up beautifully. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, life is full and rich and maybe even a little bit bananas.
A cookbook: Visit your local independent bookstore and select a cookbook for someone special. If you’re not sure which one to pick, try asking the staff for a recommendation. And, I know I’m biased, but you can’t go wrong buying The Newlywed Table. (Order it from East Bay Booksellers and I’ll be so happy to sign it!)
Homemade cookies: I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t be thrilled to receive a carefully packaged box of cookies. Try gingerbread, baklava, or my family’s all-time favorite for the holidays, vanilla horns.
A tree: Donate to the National Forest Foundation and they’ll support healthy forests by planting trees for future generations.
A houseplant: When I’m stressed, I sometimes walk around a plant nursery near our apartment. Being in the presence of all that green life soothes me like nothing else. You can give a beautiful potted plant to someone lucky this holiday and its charms will last well into the new year.
A subscription: Whether it’s to the New York Times, Surfer Magazine, or freshly roasted coffee beans, a gift that arrives in the mail more than once is such a fun surprise. (For coffee, use promo code mariazizka to get 50% off the first bag of beans from Trade.)
Edible education: Make a donation in someone’s name to the Edible Schoolyard, an organization that seeks to provide a healthy lunch for all public-school students K-12 and to teach those students the values of nourishment, stewardship, and community.
