Gourmet Gifts Ideas for Foodies

There are tons of great gourmet gifts that are perfect for foodies. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, graduations and other celebrations are a great chance to give the person you care about a gift that they will truly love. However, if you are like me, shopping for a friend or relative can be tough. I find that it helps to focus on one of their interests and look for something fun. If you are buying a gift for a foodie, there are many fun possibilities that you may have never considered.

A new kitchen tool or a custom-made gift basket full of gourmet ingredients is sure to make them smile. For a bigger occasion, there are many fun small appliances, like a KitchenAid mixer or new crock pot. Your average woman may not love getting kitchen appliances for her birthday, but many food lovers would appreciate a beautiful new mixer. Read on for more ideas on items to buy or how to put together a special gift basket for your favorite home cook.

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What items can't you live without? Is there something special in your kitchen that every foodie should have? Feel free to add to this list or vote for an item that you think would make a great gourmet gift.

Is your favorite foodie in need of a new cookbook? A new collection of recipes may be the perfect thing to get the creative juices flowing. Check out one of these options!

Buying a pre-packaged gift basket is certainly a quick option, but it won't be personalized for your loved one. You may even be able to save money by making your own. All you need to begin is a basket, tissue paper, and plastic wrap to surround the finish product (if you desire). Then you can go to town with your own selections. Some stores, such as Cost Plus World Market, will even have all the items you need to amke a gift basket ready to go. Then you can explore the shelves for the best gourmet gifts.

Or, you can purchase a picnic basket and create a collection of items for a gourmet outing.

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Are you looking for a video to show you how to put your gift basket together? Check this out for step-by-step directions on how to make the perfect basket once you have assembled some great gourmet ingredients.

Want to give your favorite chef something that they will definitely use? Skip the fancy gadgets and go for high quality ingredients. When money is tight, many foodies skip purchasing their favorite gourmet items. Finishing salts and beautiful bottles of olive oil or balsamic vinegar can be the foundation for a custom-made gift basket. While these items may seem basic, you know they will be put to great use! A good home chef knows that buying the best ingredients will make any dish taste better.

Many foodies also happen to love new kitchen gadgets. While a regular home cook probably has many of the basics, there is often room for upgrade or fun new toys! These items all make great gourmet gift ideas because they would be useful in any kitchen. I've recently replaced many of my pot holders with silicone versions and they are fantastic. Choppers and scrapers can help reduce the workload, while Asian-style spiders are great for removing food from boiling water or hot oil. Your favorite cook would love receiving any of these items!

If you have a gift in mind, try looking at auction sites to see if you can get a good price. Many eBay sellers offer new items at a significant discount over what you might find in stores.