Flanboyant Eats’ Christmas & Holiday Gift Guide, 2012

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year. Not because of the shopping, gift-giving or exchanging; but rather the aromas and divine edible creations coming out of the oven from every house I visit. It all makes me so very happy and most of my stress goes on vacation during Decemeber! Thank God. I need it to take a looong vacation, actually!

Still, there are people of on my list that I like to tickle with gifts they’d love. Most everyone in my family are foodies and can appreciate anything that will enhance their cooking and dining experience. Here are a few things I fell in love with this  year. There were so many more but I hand selected these for very  specific reasons. They either have a commitment to ethical production, are extremely practical or are in support  of small business. Well, the exception of two, which are a bit of fanciful splurges! We all deserve those too!

Here are some goodies for the foodie, home cook or chef in your life! 

1. Solid wood cutting board and block. I came across this local (DC-area) wood-maker through Facebook and fell in love with her boards. She imports the different woods from Latin America to create beautiful and well crafted boards that offer supreme handle and sturdiness. MaestroBlocks, $90.

2. Fellow food blogger Faith Gorsky makes some delectable Middle Eastern fare and was excited to share her creations outside of the blogosphere. Her work is just picture pretty. You’ll want to make everything in her new cookbook, An Edible Mosiac. I’m still working my way through it and will eventually share my rendition of one of her dishes here on the blog.  Amazon, $25.

3. You KNOW I bleed espresso! I’m very biased in what I drink but I’m opening up to the idea of coffee clubs. Craft Coffee has a premium service where they send you incredible beans from all over the world each month. Each package is a surprise and each bean bears distinct qualities making them special and really tasty.  You’ll never what you’re getting until you open it up and smell. Their best sellers have been from Ethiopia, Columbia and Guatemala. Try out a 1-month holiday gift: $29.99 (more info here). Get 10% off your order with a custom code for Flanboyant Eats readers. Enter “flanholiday” at checkout and enjoy your café!

4. Laguiole knives have quickly become my favorite. Everything the French designer house puts out gets me giddy. I love this red 24-piece set for just $200. It’s bold, bright and fancy. This would be that one splurge for your friends that really know how to throw a proper party!

5. Hand immersion blenders are great tools for whipping up, chopping and simplifying your work in the kitchen. I love the color palette offered by CuisinArt. Lovely for anyone that spends any time cooking. $30-$90.

6. Custom designed French cuff Chef’s coat by Sandra Harvey Designs. I’m in love. Just love. This coat is classic, fits like a glove and is fashionable. All of the elements a fashionista like myself would look for. When I tried it on I thought I’d get away with wearing it with skinny jeans. But then I thought about how I’d be lured into a kitchen instead of just enjoying the fiesta. She’s local, hip and reasonably priced. Comes in black and white. And for the fellas too.  $100.

7. NibMore boutique chocolate blew my mind when I first tasted it in NY. Consciously made, ethically traded, vegan, organic and no GMOs, this chocolate line speaks to me. Not to mention it has incredible taste. My fave: the daily dose squares in mint and the whole dark chocolate bar with almonds. To die for. They also have chocolate mixes. A great gift would be a box of 12 different bars. Avail at Whole Foods or directly on their site. $3-$65.

8. Handmade ceramic nesting & sauce bowls with great texture. I saw these on Etsy earlier in the year and wanted to order 20! A bit excessive, but they’re gorgeous and have multiple uses. And you’d be supporting an small indie designer from Asheville, NC. $20.

9. Because a true coffee drinker can’t ever have enough makers. This stunning gold French press by Bodum is for the serious espresso lover. Not much else needs to be said, right?! Well, only that I need to get my hands on it! Super love this. $70.

10. Heirloom Aprons by Ice Milk has made my list again. I love anything that Atlanta designer Ashley creates. She’s got a great story and her pieces are delicately made and packaged. They make very special gifts. She’s made it to Southern Living and O Magazine. The gal knows what she’s doing. With time, you can give a monogrammed one. She’s just launched tables linens too.  $55-$120.

 What’s on your list for the cook in your life? 

Eat well, love unapologetically, pray with true intention, and take care of yourself.

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