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Give the Gift of Good Food

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With just two shopping days left until Christmas, chances are you’ve got most of your friends and family crossed off your holiday shopping lists. However, a select few of you may be scratching your head trying to come up with a gift for neighbours, your boss – or family and friends that you’ll drop in on over the holidays. And so I’m here to say worry not; when all else fails, give the gift of good food.

Need some inspiration? The following gift ideas are readily available, and won’t break the bank either!

1. Metro Irresistibles – I had the sweet opportunity to try Metro Irresistibles for the first time this holiday season, and I daresay I was impressed with the products I sampled. I’m normally not a fan of fruitcake (who is, right?) but O-M-G I can’t believe I finished every crumb of Metro’s macerated fruit loaf. Covered in candied pecans, it’s to die for. I sent along a few small pieces with my mom, and she told me the next day that my dad and her fought over the last slice. Yum!

Based on the success of the fruitcake, I picked up Irresistibles Chocolate Cream Fudge to add to our dessert spread, and also for friends/family who pop by during the holidays. The next time you’re at Metro, take a look at their lineup of Irresistibles – I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

2. Shop Home Grown – For my friends in Ontario, consider this: the average Ontario shopper intends to spend almost $700 on holiday gifting this year.  If just $70 (or 10%) of this was spent on edible gifts crafted from Ontario artisan producers, the economic impact would equate to $500 million extra dollars in our Ontario food system, supporting up to 10,000 food sector jobs. The moral of the story: pick up some delicious home grown bites for those special people in your life.

Suggestions: Bringing a bottle of wine to your festive gatherings? Try Southbrook Vineyards, from Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON. Named Winery of the Year at InterVin (a wine competition), Southbrook Vineyards is also the maker of Bioflavia (seen on Dragon’s Den), the grape skin powder with incredible health properties that can be used for cooking or on its own.

Don’t have time to venture out to find the perfect locally-grown gift? Help a friend buy local all year round with Chef Lynn Ogryzlo’s book The Ontario Table. In it, you’ll find:

– 320 full-colour pages plus 109 recipes, each with stories of growers and regions
– Pictures of dishes and agricultural landscapes; Ontario wine pairings with recipes
– An Ontario pantry so consumers can identify local food products
– Over 90 culinary websites helping consumers find local food
– $10 a week message; the Billion Dollar Impact and why we should buy local

This holiday season, give the gift of good food. It’s the perfect way to a person’s heart… and tummy!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nicole W.

    Great ideas! I have bought lots of local Victoria products this year as gifts – something I can feel good about! I’ve also made a lot of homemade gifts this year, which also feels great. Speaking of which, I’m planning on making your homemade Irish Cream for my mom and mother-in-law tonight! :)

  3. Marissa

    I’m definitely going to Metro for the fruitcake. It’s only once a year at Christmas that I indulge in this delicious treat so why not? Yummy!

    • Lena

      Me too :) Especially when it’s local and easily available – if your guests love it, they don’t have to spend a lot of time trying to find it!

  6. Teresa M

    I made mini-cakes and packaged them in pretty wrap and boxes. I tied the bags with gold twist ties and added 3 mini red Christmas decorations that I had picked up last year at IKEA.

  7. Lisa H

    I actually love white fruitcake! I just hate how pricey it it in stores so next year Im going to learn to make my own.

  8. Lee Pearson

    I love Ontario wines and really enjoy going to Niagara On The Lake. That little town is so quaint. Thanks for the reviews and Merry Christmas

    • Lena

      Same to you Lee! My husband and I were married in Niagara on the Lake so it’s always held a special place for us. We love visiting the vineyards!

  9. Debbie Bashford

    I picked up an Irresistibles turkey this year and it was delicious!
    I love our many local wines here in Prince Edward County and give it as gifts all the time. So many wineries have sprung up here over the last 10 years.