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A few of my favorite things: Holiday gifts for foodies

Finding the right gift can be overwhelming. I know how tough it can be to search out that perfect present, so I've selected “foodie” gifts to help you narrow down your choices. You'll find a little of everything for those food and beverage loving friends of yours. What they all have in common is that they make life Seriously Simple.

Find online

For the entertainer: Beatriz Ball makes fine handmade metal tabletop products from small bowls to large platters to pitchers, done in modern designs. The cost depends upon the item. To surf the possibilities, go to www.beatrizball.com.

For your gourmet-loving friends: Give a gift box of gourmet foods from a different country that arrives bimonthly. Beautifully wrapped with goodies such as palmers, chocolate truffles and olive oil grace the special edition Holiday Box from Try the World. www.trytheworld.com

For the mixologist: A boxed set of shrubs. What's a shrub? It's an old-fashioned vinegar-and-fruit-based flavoring that is used as part of a beverage. You can use it with just sparkling water or in your favorite cocktail. Everything old is new again! www.innajam.com

For the serious cook: Give a gift card for a six-month membership to Rouxbe, a subscription online video program. With tons of recipes and techniques, the videos are top-quality and help make people better cooks. www.rouxbe.com

Gifts for the kitchen

Perfect for the baker on your list, the Anolon Advanced Nonstick Bakeware 5-Piece Set includes two 9-inch round cake pans, a 9-by-9-inch square cake pan, a 14-by-16-inch baking sheet and an 11-by-14-inch cooling rack. The heavy-gauge carbon-steel construction resists warping and helps ensure even browning. Its nonstick surface helps baked goods easily release from their pans. Available at Amazon.com.

An updated immersion blender, the Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender with Potato Masher (model no. CSB-100) allows cooks to whisk egg whites, whip cream, chop nuts, shred cheese and even mash potatoes.

The Cuisinart Waffle Maker creates gorgeous waffles. Its “chimney” creates a little extra waffle bit (as described in the directions) but this is easily removed. The measuring cup makes it easy to create the perfect shape. No cooking spray required; the waffles popped out easily. Available at Amazon.com or Bed Bath & Beyond.

The Microplane Elite Box Grater maximizes the functionality of traditional box graters. The 5-in-1 grating tool sporting five American made stainless steel Microplane blades: fine, coarse, ultra coarse, ribbon and large shaver. This is the perfect tool for helping cooks in the kitchen. Available at Amazon.com and Williams-Sonoma.

Gifts for wine lovers

Fine wine lovers will rejoice with Coravin. The wine system uses transformational technology that allows you to pour your favorite wine by the glass, without pulling the cork and with no oxidation occurring. This is the gift for those who own fine aged wines or who want to taste a few different bottles at one time. Available at www.coravin.com, or visit your local Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus or Sur La Table.

Jordan Winery offers gift boxes of chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon well as their outstanding olive oil. They only make two wines, and each is truly exceptional. www.jordanwinery.com

Stocking stuffers

LidLover and LidLover Mini Lid create an airtight and leakproof seal, and can be used instead of foil and plastic wrap. LidLover products are available now at www.lidlover.com.

The prep solutions heads-up tools by Progressive International are innovative kitchen tools with a twist. Clever kitchen staples like the heads-up no mess basting brush, heads-up no mess drain scoop and heads-up no mess spatula spoon are all designed to keep kitchen messes to a minimum. http://progressiveintl.com/products

© Diane Rossen Worthington is the author of 18 cookbooks, including “Seriously Simple Parties.”