"gift" news and stories

There are times when it's not appropriate to actually buy someone a bottle of wine--say, if that person lives out of state and the crazy shipping laws don't allow you to. But that's not to say you can't still feed their wine habit with an accessory gift. Funny that the wine industry has an entire related industry of accessories--most of which, like kitchen gadgets, are novel, but utterly useless--but some of them are actually fun and handy. Here are strategies for getting just the right gift for the...

Novice: Anything wine-related is fair game, because the person probably just likes the idea of the "Italian villa" look in their home or the thought that they're sophisticated enough to have moved beyond frat-party beer and fruity mixed drinks. A wrought iron wine rack, a "Chateau Roberts" plaque, a cork board kit, or a T-shirt that says "I always feel better after I wine a little" will go over perfectly.

Enthusiast who is getting serious about wine: Think practical and useful items at this stage. This person needs to trade up her old K-Mart wine glasses for some more delicate stemware. Riedel is the top brand, and you can get a set anywhere from around $100 a glass to a little more than $10 a glass. Target carries an inexpensive but good-quality Riedel line that will buy you four basic red or white wine glasses for around $45. The new enthusiast could also use a decanter, vacuum bottle sealers, and Champagne stoppers.

Long-time collector: Realistically, this person has everything he needs, likely including a cellar. He's probably gotten every wine-type gift known to man, from Santa bottle stoppers (useless, but cute) to wine charms (useful only if you remember to get them out of the drawer). Skip the cutesy stuff and get something you know he'll use, like a gift subscription to Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, or the Wine Advocate (which he probably already gets, in which case the subscription will be tacked on to his standing order) or a magazine he may not get, like Wine & Spirits or Food & Wine. Or buy him a wine book--new releases this year include The Battle for Wine & Love, The Billionaire's Vinegar, the updated World Atlas of Wine, 1001 Wines You Must Taste Before You Die, The Wine Snob's Dictionary, and The House of Mondavi.

Any best and worst wine accessory gifts to share?

It's that time of year again when you're making your lists and checking them twice. I'm not talking about the list you're making for Santa (we're all grownups now, right?) but the list you're making for all those other people in your life. Your friends, family, boss, coworkers, book club, husband's office assistant...all those people whom you're not sure what to get for or whether they'll even like it.

Here are a couple of ground rules I use to make the gift-buying process very easy when the person hasn't actually handed me a list.

1. If the person is an adult, and is not a teetotaler, I buy wine (duh!).
2. If the person is an adult, but doesn't drink, I buy or make food.
3. If the person is an adult, but doesn't drink and is on a diet, I buy a book.
4. If the person is a kid, I buy toys (younger) or clothes (older).

Our other Slashfood bloggers will help with #2, and you're on your own for #3 and #4. But if you're stumped for #1, here are some tips on wine for everyone on your list right after the jump.

It's the time of year when just cooking someone a nice dinner isn't always enough. The people you love want to have things. They want to eat, too, but they'll never remember what you got them this year if they can eat it in one sitting.

There are some edible gifts worth giving, but many gifts for foodies can last for years to come. Plus, they can help your loved ones make you a nice dinner. Everyone wins.

Here is a list of gifts to fill the foodies in your life with delight and joy!

1. Tracey Porter Etched Liquor Glasses (right) - Festive, bright, and varied (so you remember which is yours).
2. Anthropologie Aprons - Affordable and totally unparalleled.
3. Nostalgia Retro Snow Cone Maker - Need I say more?
4. An Angel Wing Platter - For angelic cheeses, angelic fruits, angelic servings all year round.
5. A Michael Aram Coral Reef Candleholder - A gorgeous, non-denominational centerpiece.
6. An Alice in Wonderland Teapot from Alice's Tea Cup - Perfect for tea or even just to display on the shelf for your whimsical friends.
7. Wobbly Cognac Glasses - After dinner drinks have never been this relaxed.
8. The Slashfood Gift of the Day - Marisa McClellan's amazing edible series; some edible gifts really are worth giving!

We don't recommend #2 for your spouse, though. They're totally gonna take that the wrong way. Especially if they're male.

You may remember the first Teastick we reviewed in 2005. You know, if you're that cool and read blogs back then. Well, three years is a long time in Teastick development. Have a look at what's new - at right, the Teastick Gems.

Do they remind anyone else of Barbie shoes? Seriously, that's all I can think of when I look at them. But they're not Barbie shoes, they're not; they make tea.

"Teastick Gems are now made with Eastman Tritan™, a revolutionary new material that is FDA-approved, taste-free and with absolutely no Bisphenol-A!"

I have no idea what Bisphenol-A is, but I feel sort of excited that these don't contain it. I looked up what else is made with Eastman Tritan™ but a Google image search brought me a lumber rack, a synthesizer, and an impressive deer. So, let's assume this is a very new type of plastic.

In any case, Teasticks can go in the dishwasher and are obviously a very handy tea-making shape. The Teastick Gems' semi-clear design allow you to watch your tea pearls unfold and make a perfect 10-14 oz. cup of tea. Perfect for a tea lover's holiday stocking!

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Still looking for some chocolaty Valentine's Day gift ideas? Why not try some kisses? We're not talking about Hershey's Kisses, although they are offering plenty of Valentine's themed candies, including Chocolate Truffle-filled kisses and Cherry Cordial Creme kisses. We're talking about upmarket kisses from Jacques Torres.

This Valentine's Day, Jacques Torres is offering a lot of sweet treats for lovers. In his stores, the offerings will include Jolie Kiss Chocolate Boxes (pictured) which are hollow kisses in dark, milk and white chocolate filled with chocolate X's, O's, hearts and mini kisses. He will also have Champagne Kiss Truffles, which are made with Taittinger Rosé champagne and chocolate ganache, then topped with a pink lip graphic. For those doing their shopping online, the Champagne Kiss truffles can also be purchased here.

Other, non-kiss treats include heart-shaped boxes filled with romance bonbons and other lovely truffles, three types of body butters - Love Tonic, Caramel Body Butter, and Raspberry Body Paint - to share with your significant other, and a huge basket called the Sweetheart collection for those who can't narrow down their options.