Hunt, Gather And GIFT.

Simplify your gift-giving. Don't work so hard.

Give a gift with MORE TASTE. Don’t work so hard.

We all have people in our lives who are difficult to shop for. They likely have everything they need; and they say, “all I want for Christmas is more time with you”. AKA Mom's yearly response to when asked what she might like for Christmas. Grandma's are even harder to buy for. 

Take it from me, I'm both, and what I am going to suggest for gifts works!

"I am not a glutton - I am an explorer of food." — Erma Bombeck

Erma is still the patron saint of motherhood comedy to this day. Google her sometime if you're not in the know.

Food is the perfect gift.  

Especially chocolate or cheese food. 

Everyone eats

I just like to eat. Eating is my favorite. 

That's me, not Buddy the Elf.  Buddy eats a ton of sugar and is way sweeter than me. 

With food you can even give the same gift every year. It doesn't crowd a sock drawer or candle closet. Instead, your loved one simply eats the gift and waits anxiously for another delicious one the following year. You just may be starting a beloved tradition! 

I know it’s tempting…

At Food Union our food gifts are NEVER mediocre.

One of the biggest mistakes we make when buying gifts for others (and for ourselves) is thinking that giving more stuff makes people happier. 

One box of killer cookies, something unlike anything you have tasted before, could be enough. We don't do mediocre at Food Union. Lark Fine Foods bakes adult cookies. No not the CBD ones.  They are not overly sweet and swoon-worthy with a cup of coffee or tea. The box of the shortbread trio has fennel burnt sugar, salted rosemary, and espresso chip. How cool is granny going to feel when she pulls these out the next time the girls drop by for tea. It's her secret pantry weapon, and you just made her a culinary superhero. 

Yes, we are showing this with Hot Chocolate. But, the trio is good on it’s own!

Gift a Mind [blown] Flavor

How about those towers of "treats"? Have you ever eaten everything in a tower? I mean, even the shelf-stable wax wrapped cheese, shaped like a Christmas tree?  No, I didn’t think so. And those towers are expensive. I get stressed receiving one. I feed the squirrels in the back woods the boring cookies in a tin, and the jellied two-tone candies find their way to a holiday dish for a season or two. 

Set your sites on a a lovely chocolate bar? Just one? Sure, the chocolate we carry is that FUn. You could get a whole box if that makes you feel better, BUT it's unnecessary. Seriously, self-control. 

I'm particularly fond of JCoco. 72% cacao black fig and pistachio. Check out the tasting notes. A tasting trove awaits! 

Fragrance  Black cherry fruit 

Mouthfeel  Firm with layers of crunch: soft nut and tiny discreet fig seeds and an intermittent chew.

Aroma  Fruit party aroma, which alternates between fig and cherry notes of cacao.

Flavor Fig leads in the flavor profile with some subtle savory nut and mellow dark cherry notes. 

Sweetness Reminiscent of a chewy fig cookie. 

Acidity Citric acidity

Bitterness Pistachio delivers a light bitterness, very soft and complementary to the sweet fig. 

Astringency Earthy note that leads the finish, which lingers with fig notes.

Finish Lingering astringency of fig notes

Balance Chocolate takes a back seat to a few fruit notes with a subtle pistachio accent – a fruit and nut bar!

It pairs perfectly with rich red wines like Garnacha, Malbec, Zinfandel, or Ports. So sure, if you want to go all out, check in with Tessa at Tessa's Office, and she'll find a wine to play with this chocolate.  

Open a red!

Being a generous friend does have its advantages. 

If you are feeling extra generous. Who am I to say don't spend the money? But get your money's worth. Your gift of food could include feeding yourself! Viola, see how simple that was! Mom said you alone were the perfect gift! But add a trip to Taste-landia! A Cheese and Charcuterie Box! Plan a party; you are the entertainment. She will probably spring for the wine. Our cheese and charcuterie boxes ROCK. It's not an ordinary selection. The boxes are literally obsessed over to create the perfect pairing and food adventure. Each box comes with blow-by-blow tasting notes.

Take a trip to Taste-landia.

New ideas for GIFT EXCHANGE. 

We have done many variations of The White Elephant gift exchange, in our family. From "junque" we need to get rid to gift cards to weird creepy food, like turkey and stuffing soda. And except for the 12-year-old fruit cake, everything went in the garbage. I mean that cake can make a comeback if needed. The squirrels wouldn't even drink the soda. So this is wasteful for just a few laughs. But how about picking a great food "subject"? Let's go with pasta. Everyone brings a different pasta shape, size, flavor. Your choice from Food Union will definitely stand out. In fact, I'd consider how to get it back in your own pantry. Put a word in with your holiday date.

How to play White Elephant refresher can be found HERE. 

The pasta is fun, different and delicious!

And then there's Dad or Grandpa.

Go with pickled stuff. Bloody Mary day, aka Super Bowl Sunday, is coming. Pacific Pickle Works has yummy things to skewer. He'll love Jalabaenos, Pickles under the GINfluence, or Cauliflower Power. You may or may not get an invite to the Bloody Mary Bar with Dad, so maybe grab a jar for yourself. 

Bloody Mary essentials.

Let's wrap it up. 

Food is a great and easy gift. Wrap up something extraordinary and watch for the smiles. 

'I just like to smile. Smiling's my favorite." -Buddy the Elf. 

Great Food brings Christmas smiles.