Best Gifts To Give this Holiday Season!

I just came off the road of a 10 city TV tourpromise, you won't be disappointed!
where I thrilled news audiences everywhere withDid you know that it's been estimated that 50%
the hottest trendy gifts of the season! Whereverof 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 incatching up and actually surpassing the French in
airplanes with truffles from Lindt Chocolate. Toour wine consumption! And, you don't have to be
see the faces of people light up is a wonderful giftsuper sophisticated to enjoy a good wine. Napa
and it was so fun, I continued it throughout myValley 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 butdecent labels if you don't have time to peruse
my ideas will get anyone over the hump of whatWine Enthusiast Magazine. You can always ask the
to buy that special person or what to buy theclerk at the liquor store as well. I selected a few
person who you want to do something for, butCabernets for the trip this year, and my favorites
just don't have the right gift idea! My suggestionswere Sterling Vineyard and a BV Wine. The
are simple, time effective and will be loved uponSterling 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 andas the top Cabernet by the glass in their
actually a wonderful gift idea. Gift Cards! I like torestaurant 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. Theythat is an original California Cult Classic, Beaulieu
could be thought of as impersonal so what IVineyard Georges De Latour Private Reserve
suggest is that you go for Gift Cards that are2003. I had the wine at dinner one night with
widely usable. Two that I find that bring a wholefriends and was hooked. The bottle is sold
experience to the table are Starbucks andanywhere 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 ashare for the holidays with friends and family.
cute felt card carrying case that looks cuteLastly, I brought along a Chardonnay for the
hanging on the tree or in a stocking. The festivewhite wine drinkers and the Edna Valley Paragon
cards come in blue or red and have a greatis a nice wine at $12 that anyone would love.
feature that makes it the gift that keeps onIf you plan on sending corporate gifts or goodies
giving. You can go on line often and use thethis year to anyone, just make sure that you're
automatic reload system, and fill up the cardpurchasing something that is high quality. That
monthly or whenever the balance falls below away, you don't have to go overboard, but you're
certain level. Today I was in Starbucks and thesure that whatever arrives, will come in a fine
manager seemed baffled because there was anstyle. I have had great luck with Lindt Chocolate. I
article in the Orlando Sentinel because people arehad a lady debate me in the airport whether it
memorizing the number on the back of the giftwas better than Sees Chocolate but she didn't
card and apparently calling it in and using it toseem to turn down the truffle I offered and I
reissue a card by saying they lost it. What theymust say she enjoyed it immensely. The truth of
didn't know, is that on you can register the cardthe matter is, is that there are many fine
with your name and information and if the card iscompanies that produce great chocolate but there
stolen, Starbucks will freeze the account untilis something about having a SWISS chocolate be
another card is reissued. Just to be on the safedelivered. I went this year for the assorted green
side, pick a card from behind the pack, andbox 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 offew pounds on the road this year by having to
Entertainment! I like to put a gift card togethercontinue to test the truffles. They come in
with a movie theme, like "Chick Flick Night" orseveral flavors and I kept getting confused about
"Scary Night" , and put the gift card in a basketwhich flavor was in which package, so I kept
with popcorn, the movie, some candy and a drinktrying them and trying them and trying them. You
and away you go! The idea is that you're giving aget the picture, I just wanted to keep eating
whole night of fun. The Blockbuster cards comethem. On one of the planes flying to the west
with different themes, from holiday themes tocoast, the people in the second class cabin where
the recent movie releases like Happy Feet, CarsI was got a huge whiff of the smell of warm
or Ice Age. They come in dominations of $15 andchocolate cookies which were being baked and
$20 for the new release gift cards and the holidaydelivered for the first class cabin. Low and behold,
cards can be loaded up to $500. It can be aI 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, inLast 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 givinga cookie press to save time and mess and I
food and wine for gifts. The reason is that therefound that Wilton has a great one that is easy to
is no color restrictions, one size fits all, and they'reuse and fun for kids. Wilton is the company that
not going to even think of returning them! Forhas all of the flavored tubes of icing and sprinkles,
starters, my favorite this year I purchased on linewhich of course are fun for decorating. The other
at . When I tell you that you can't believe thething to do, is that you can go to the bakery and
enormous ice chest that is delivered right to thebuy 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, bakedall!
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 cutleryeasy and fun and well received. If you get stuck,
set and a cutting board, just for kicks. But theif it's a woman, you can always buy accessories
clincher is that the whole gift probably deliversand 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 youhappy shopping!!! And if you're smart, you'll do it
haven't had the pleasure of trying an Omahaon 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 Iarrive to its destination!!