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http://www.koshergiftgiving.com/tag/last minute gift ideas.rssDec
23
1. Enstrom's Toffee
If you want to make a big impression this holiday season, go to Enstrom's. With world-renowned toffees, mini-turtles, mint meltaways, truffles and more, its kosher delicacies are sinful and its gift sets are outstanding. Whether customized or personally created, Enstrom's is unique, offering sugar-free toffees, gourmet chocolates and peppermint cookie bark to indulge the senses and lighten the mood.
2. Fancy Fruit & Nut Platter
A fruit and nut platter is an excellent gift choice for any occasion. Creative and colorful, they are often breathtaking artworks, with pecans, peanuts and walnuts weaving in and out of dried pineapple, dates, bananas and more. Succulent and mouthwatering, they can serve as a centerpiece or a snacker and always as a terrific gift.
3. Kosher Wines
Kosher wines, such as Baron Herzog Merlot, Goose Bay Viognier '07 and Zion Tidhar Cabernet Sauvignon are great additions to any gift you give. They give an air of elegance while adding a touch of flavor. So, go on, be bold and add a splash of dark cherry or the smoothness of merlot; if you're lucky the glasses will be out before you leave.
4. Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart is one of the best places to go if you're running late on a kosher gift. They have everything from baby cribs and maternity gowns, to pink/blue reversible blankets, to shirts organically made. Let's face it, they are well stocked, even carrying a Hanes line of organic cotton pajamas, Godiva chocolates, lotion, rugs and more.
5. Jelly Belly Jelly Beans
Jelly Bellys have got to be the quickest of the grab-and-go gifts. They are conveniently located, easy to spot and most people love them. With flavors of chocolate, raspberry, pina colada and even popcorn, Jelly Belly jelly beans have been around since 1869, making kids smile.
6. Kosher Cookbook
One of my favorite gifts for newlyweds and first year college students is a kosher cookbook. Not only will it offer creative ideas on daily menus, it can provide easy but tasty recipes while adhering to religious standard.
7. Avalon Organics
Rest and relaxation is often overlooked in the rush of today's busy activities. Who gets playtime with work, family and bills? Avalon Organics is a phenomenal gift, because its fresh lavender scent clears the mind and relieves stress in seconds, whisking you off to a world all your own as you enjoy their lotion, moisturizer, facial cleanser and toner.
8. Housewarming Party
If someone is about to relocate there are a few must-haves on their list, such as towels, sheets, pot holders and even cleaning products. (Soft Scrub is widely used in kosher cleaning.) Find out what they have and what they will be taking from home and have some fun! Get them a rug, lotions for the bathroom and a blanket to curl up on the couch with.
9. Drink it Up
Another awesome kosher gift includes tea and coffee. This has a wide range of options simply because of people's taste buds. You can make a basket or pick up a few of their favorite teas/coffees if they prefer exquisite brands that you have smelled for years. You also can get Starbucks to create a gift basket - you can even pick out what goes in it if you want to. This has proved to be a great gift for the people addicted to Java Joe, at least now they could drink it in their PJs.
10. Wine Country Gift Baskets
These are some of the best pre-made gift baskets available because they offer a wide selection of treats. Sweet favorites such as Brown & Haley Mocha Rocha, Ghirardelli dark chocolate and milk chocolate with caramel squares, shortbread cookies, biscotti, English toffee, dark chocolate-covered Bavarian pretzels and dreidel vanilla cookies are a few or their tasty options. Multi-grain crackers, nuts, mozzarella cheese swirls, panetini crackers, dijon flat crisps, honey mustard pretzels and Mrs. May's cranberry almond crunch are also available for those in a saltier mood.
Written by J. Henry
Dec
18
No matter what the occasion, buying a last-minute gift is never easy. Finding a perfect gift is hard enough when you have plenty of time, and that last-minute crunch adds pressure and stress to the mix. Since food and wine are universally popular last-minute gifts, the problem is compounded when you are unsure of the recipient's dietary restrictions.
There is a simple way to avoid worrying whether or not your gift of food or drink will be well received, though - by purchasing kosher gifts. Most kosher foods are appropriate for people of any religion, and those who observe kosher dietary laws will be especially touched by your thoughtfulness.
Gift baskets, chocolates and other food items make great gifts, but it's not always easy to find just the right treat for a specific holiday, especially if you wish to purchase kosher products. Kosher retailers like Enstrom's, which specializes in kosher candy and other kosher gifts, are a lifesaver for last-minute shoppers. These retailers have Web sites for quick online ordering and offer overnight shipping - you can get chocolate coins for Hanukah, candy for Purim, nuts for Passover or honey for Rosh Hashanah, all with a few clicks of a mouse.
For those who drink alcohol, kosher wine is a perfect quick gift. Although kosher wine has a reputation for being overly sweet and not always high quality, kosher wines have improved greatly over the years and should no longer be considered second-rate. Luckily for last-minute shoppers, kosher wines are available at most wine stores - just ask the salesperson for some guidance in choosing a wine that your friends or family will enjoy.
If you are certain that you're buying a gift for someone who observes kosher dietary laws, a kosher cookbook makes a terrific gift, which can be purchased online or on a last-minute dash to the bookstore. Even those who don't keep kosher may find a kosher cookbook useful, especially if they are interested in learning about other cultures and cuisines.
Doing all of your holiday gift shopping at the last minute may not be ideal, but it needn't be a chore, either. By choosing kosher gifts, you eliminate at least one source of stress - all that's left to worry about is whether or not you've chosen the right wrapping paper!
Written by Lindsay Woodland
Dec
16
When it comes to holiday shopping, I start by buying for family and then go on to friends and co-workers. My shopping plan means that I am usually grasping at the final hour for caring gift ideas for people I see every day. But if I have a few things in mind, I can be grabbing gift bag items while I am out crossing off names on my family list.
My gifts are by no means entirely original. I see ideas that I like in catalogs or online and then I duplicate or twist them according to my budget and availability of items. I rely heavily on gift bags, tissue paper and gift cards. I can go to Blockbuster and buy a moviegoer's tub of popcorn and candy for one friend or make five of my own for less money and more friends.
Other Gift Bag Ideas
1. Winter Survival Package. Co-workers can keep these in their desks. Collect small bottles of good-quality hand lotion and hand sanitizer, Chap Stick, small packages of tissues and lozenges. Add a personal touch like a small ornament to tie the bag together.
2. Holiday Travel Package. This includes a car coffee/tea mug (if the person does not already have one); 2-ounce gourmet coffee packet or special tea bags; a CD of favorite music; and chocolate or other tasty treats.
3. The Weather Outside is Frightful. This gift bag needs to be filled up with hot drinks and foods for staying warm by the fire. Include cocoa packets, a small bottle of Irish Cream or other liqueur, a soup mix (dried beans and spices prepackaged) and a deck of playing cards or some other game.
Homemade Food
In our increasingly global culture, my last-minute holiday shopping may need to become less spontaneous. Where in the past I thought nothing of boxing up some cookies baked the night before and handing them out the next day at work, now due to the more stringent dietary needs of co-workers and friends I need to consider the ingredients going into those cookies. Otherwise, my friends might be dumping my gift into the trash.
In the past these are items I have given as gifts.
1. Any kind of cookie, including snicker doodles, chocolate chip, peanut butter, peanut butter blossoms, macaroons or an assortment of two or three different kinds.
2. Caramel corn. Pop the corn, make your caramel mix and pour it over the popcorn, then bake it. Yum!
3. Spiced nuts. I usually spice up pecans or walnuts. Find a recipe that suits your taste buds and go for it. It is really easy to do.
But since my kitchen is not kosher and some of my ingredients may not be either, I have recently looked into buying what I cannot make. Kosher foods are actually much more readily available than I thought they would be. Lots of food companies have gone kosher because it increases their food sales by broadening their consumer market. In addition, kosher certification on a product shows that rigid standards of cleanliness have been observed as well as other things pertaining to the law of the Torah; therefore, kosher products appeal even to non-Jewish consumers for health reasons.
Wine is another usual last-minute gift for which there are also kosher standards. A little quick research in advance can help me be sure that the wine I buy will not get poured down the drain or passed off to a neighbor.
Gifts to friends and co-workers are a way to show appreciation for their assistance and love throughout the year. Gift giving can stay simple without being inconsiderate or disrespectful of others' beliefs or dietary habits. Last-minute shopping and wrapping is not necessarily thoughtless, just busy.
Written by H. Ann Myers
Nov
17
Rushing last minute to find that special kosher gift for a friend or loved one? Gift baskets make great last-minute options. All you need is a basket and a group of kosher items that go together. It's a good idea to personalize the gift to the person you're giving it to. One way to do this is to take a general idea and then throw in something that the recipient enjoys. For instance, if you are doing a last-minute gift basket with a kosher chocolate theme and you know the recipient likes to eat chocolate during movies, throw in a pair of movie tickets as well. The great thing about a last-minute gift basket is that the ideas are endless and they can be compiled quickly.
Kosher Toffee and Chocolate Gift Basket
Almond toffee and chocolate are the perfect complementary gift basket confections. A mixture of different types of chocolates and toffee is a good idea. This way, the gift recipient will not tire of the treat. Chocolates and toffee are an easy gift to create at the last minute. To be sure you are purchasing kosher confections, always check the label. Enstrom's is a great company that makes both toffee and chocolate. All of of their confections are certified kosher under the Scroll K / Vaad Hakashrus of Denver. For a last-minute option, Enstrom's accepts orders 24 hours a day on their Web site and offers a variety of shipping options that include two-day and even next-day service.
Kosher Gourmet Gift Basket
Another great last-minute gift basket is one that contains assorted gourmet foods. Some suggestions include wine, crackers, cheese, salami, olives, oranges, apples and pecans. Just as with the confections, remember to make sure all items are kosher. KosherWineReport.com is a great place to learn about kosher wines and cheeses. This way your selection, even at the last minute, can be an informed one.
Kosher Bath Care Gift Basket
Many people enjoy gifts they can use in the bath. Kosher bath salts and oils are one idea. Others may include kosher shampoo, conditioner and soaps. Kosher lotions, body spray and candles are also good for last-minute kosher gift baskets. Raffia is great on the inside of the basket for holding these small items in place, as well as creating a decorative look.
Written by Momie Tullottes
