"HolidayShopping" news and stories

Fleur de Maquis, the above cheese, epitomizes the festive soft-ripened cheese. This deliciously creamy and sweet Corsican cheese is covered in rosemary and thyme. During the holiday season, I enjoy rich soft-ripened cheeses, such as Vacherin Mont D'Or, that are in season. A festive cheese is one that you can have with a feast. This means it's important for it to be able to go along with several other foods at the celebration. Choose a cheese that will not dominate everything else being served. Fleur de Maquis is perfect because it's flavor tends to pair well with not just fruits and nuts, but also a variety of sparkling wines and even cured meats.

After the jump are 5 festive soft-ripened cheeses that are perfect for celebrating the New Year.

Do you have a Starbucks lover on your holiday shopping list this year? If you do, you're going to want to get yourself over to a Starbucks store sometime in the next couple of days, because they are having a big old sale. Starting Tuesday, December 9th, all merchandise (this means tea, coffee, mugs, coffee makers, gift packs, ornaments and other 'bucks ephemera) will be 20 percent off. The sale runs through Sunday, December 14th.

Sadly, the bargains do not include your morning cup of java, baked goods, gift cards, newspapers, sandwiches or other in-store edibles.