| I just came off the road of a 10 city TV tour | | | | promise, you won't be disappointed! |
| where I thrilled news audiences everywhere with | | | | Did you know that it's been estimated that 50% |
| the hottest trendy gifts of the season! Wherever | | | | of American families will be serving wine at the |
| I went, I became known as the "chocolate lady" | | | | holiday dinner this year? That's right! We're finally |
| because I surprised people in airports and in | | | | catching up and actually surpassing the French in |
| airplanes with truffles from Lindt Chocolate. To | | | | our wine consumption! And, you don't have to be |
| see the faces of people light up is a wonderful gift | | | | super sophisticated to enjoy a good wine. Napa |
| and it was so fun, I continued it throughout my | | | | Valley is truly respected internationally and you |
| journey. | | | | can visit a store to read up on a few of the |
| The clock is ticking down to the Christmas but | | | | decent labels if you don't have time to peruse |
| my ideas will get anyone over the hump of what | | | | Wine Enthusiast Magazine. You can always ask the |
| to buy that special person or what to buy the | | | | clerk at the liquor store as well. I selected a few |
| person who you want to do something for, but | | | | Cabernets for the trip this year, and my favorites |
| just don't have the right gift idea! My suggestions | | | | were Sterling Vineyard and a BV Wine. The |
| are simple, time effective and will be loved upon | | | | Sterling I loved is an elegant and refined cabernet, |
| receipt. | | | | and it was just voted by Wine 7 Spirits Magazine |
| We've all done it, and it's perfectly acceptable and | | | | as the top Cabernet by the glass in their |
| actually a wonderful gift idea. Gift Cards! I like to | | | | restaurant poll. I've seen it sold anywhere from |
| keep them on hand for people like the babysitter, | | | | $21 to $25. The other Cabernet is from a winery |
| the teachers, the mailman, and teenagers. They | | | | that is an original California Cult Classic, Beaulieu |
| could be thought of as impersonal so what I | | | | Vineyard Georges De Latour Private Reserve |
| suggest is that you go for Gift Cards that are | | | | 2003. I had the wine at dinner one night with |
| widely usable. Two that I find that bring a whole | | | | friends and was hooked. The bottle is sold |
| experience to the table are Starbucks and | | | | anywhere from $79-$95 and would be a great |
| Blockbuster. | | | | addition to anyone's collection or a nice bottle to |
| I like the Starbucks card because it comes in a | | | | share for the holidays with friends and family. |
| cute felt card carrying case that looks cute | | | | Lastly, I brought along a Chardonnay for the |
| hanging on the tree or in a stocking. The festive | | | | white wine drinkers and the Edna Valley Paragon |
| cards come in blue or red and have a great | | | | is a nice wine at $12 that anyone would love. |
| feature that makes it the gift that keeps on | | | | If you plan on sending corporate gifts or goodies |
| giving. You can go on line often and use the | | | | this year to anyone, just make sure that you're |
| automatic reload system, and fill up the card | | | | purchasing something that is high quality. That |
| monthly or whenever the balance falls below a | | | | way, you don't have to go overboard, but you're |
| certain level. Today I was in Starbucks and the | | | | sure that whatever arrives, will come in a fine |
| manager seemed baffled because there was an | | | | style. I have had great luck with Lindt Chocolate. I |
| article in the Orlando Sentinel because people are | | | | had a lady debate me in the airport whether it |
| memorizing the number on the back of the gift | | | | was better than Sees Chocolate but she didn't |
| card and apparently calling it in and using it to | | | | seem to turn down the truffle I offered and I |
| reissue a card by saying they lost it. What they | | | | must say she enjoyed it immensely. The truth of |
| didn't know, is that on you can register the card | | | | the matter is, is that there are many fine |
| with your name and information and if the card is | | | | companies that produce great chocolate but there |
| stolen, Starbucks will freeze the account until | | | | is something about having a SWISS chocolate be |
| another card is reissued. Just to be on the safe | | | | delivered. I went this year for the assorted green |
| side, pick a card from behind the pack, and | | | | box Collection, the truffles, of course, and a gift |
| register it immediately upon returning home. | | | | basket for $150. I have to say that I've gained a |
| The Blockbuster card is like giving the gift of | | | | few pounds on the road this year by having to |
| Entertainment! I like to put a gift card together | | | | continue to test the truffles. They come in |
| with a movie theme, like "Chick Flick Night" or | | | | several flavors and I kept getting confused about |
| "Scary Night" , and put the gift card in a basket | | | | which flavor was in which package, so I kept |
| with popcorn, the movie, some candy and a drink | | | | trying them and trying them and trying them. You |
| and away you go! The idea is that you're giving a | | | | get the picture, I just wanted to keep eating |
| whole night of fun. The Blockbuster cards come | | | | them. On one of the planes flying to the west |
| with different themes, from holiday themes to | | | | coast, the people in the second class cabin where |
| the recent movie releases like Happy Feet, Cars | | | | I was got a huge whiff of the smell of warm |
| or Ice Age. They come in dominations of $15 and | | | | chocolate cookies which were being baked and |
| $20 for the new release gift cards and the holiday | | | | delivered for the first class cabin. Low and behold, |
| cards can be loaded up to $500. It can be a | | | | I took out my truffles and made the people in |
| whole year of entertaining fun! By the way, | | | | the surrounding rows around me just as happy! |
| Blockbuster is open on Christmas Eve and day, in | | | | Last but not least, if you're planning on decorating |
| case you forget to get something for someone! | | | | cookies this year I have a few tips. You can get |
| For families or for people far away, I love giving | | | | a cookie press to save time and mess and I |
| food and wine for gifts. The reason is that there | | | | found that Wilton has a great one that is easy to |
| is no color restrictions, one size fits all, and they're | | | | use and fun for kids. Wilton is the company that |
| not going to even think of returning them! For | | | | has all of the flavored tubes of icing and sprinkles, |
| starters, my favorite this year I purchased on line | | | | which of course are fun for decorating. The other |
| at . When I tell you that you can't believe the | | | | thing to do, is that you can go to the bakery and |
| enormous ice chest that is delivered right to the | | | | buy sugar cookies that are already cut out, to |
| recipients door step chock full of Filet mignon, | | | | save more time. The fun is in the decorating after |
| Steak Burgers, Sirloin Tips, Stuffed sole, baked | | | | all! |
| potatoes and even 2 chocolate cakes, I mean, | | | | This year, I hope that you find these ideas are |
| you can't believe it! It even comes with a cutlery | | | | easy and fun and well received. If you get stuck, |
| set and a cutting board, just for kicks. But the | | | | if it's a woman, you can always buy accessories |
| clincher is that the whole gift probably delivers | | | | and I have my favorites there as well! But I'll |
| several meals to a family of 3-4 and is only $60. | | | | save that for next time, and in the mean time, |
| It truly is a deal that can't be beat and if you | | | | happy shopping!!! And if you're smart, you'll do it |
| haven't had the pleasure of trying an Omaha | | | | on line before Dec. 20, which is the last day that |
| Steak, you're missing out. I may be a bit partial, | | | | UPS/FED EX will guarantee that your shipment will |
| because, after all, I was born in Omaha! But I | | | | arrive to its destination!! |