PrintGifting foods - or how to send a long-distance hug
My sister and brother-in-law have had a rough couple of weeks. She had a melanoma removed and skin grafts (all is well but she is sore) and he just had a close encounter with a car while riding his motorcycle - he is okay too, but really, really sore.
If they were close by, I'd be making meals, taking over beer and wine, etc. But I am in Texas and they are in Florida.
Does anyone have ideas on good food gifts to send long distance? I am game to make something or to order something online. I am just not sure what would be good. He is going to be fairly inactive for a while until he heals enough to start therapy, and she's working full time (at Williams Sonoma) so I think a little food contribution would be appreciated.
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11 Comments:
If not a baked good, (cookies, brownies, pastries etc.) then I like to send an "easy to assemble" gift if they like to cook. (prepared foods if they don't/can't)
A box with necessary ingredients for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
i.e. a breakfast box with good coffee, jam, pancake or waffle mix, goodbagels/bread from a local place near me, fresh fruit, syrup, and maybe a cute mug or plate etc. to round it out. Same for later day foods as well.
Also finding a place near them that will deliver a meal of fresher foods is nice (like a deli or market)
If you know they like something in particular (a fruit/veggie/type of food/restaurant) send them a case of whatever it is or a gift card for the store that carries it/restaurant.
If they like beer or wine enough then often local breweries offer to ship (either near them or you) and so often do nicer gourmet stores with wine cellars. (since it is hard to ship booze yourself)
How kind of you to want to cheer them up with yumminess!!!
sadiepix at 10:37PM on 05/05/08
nothin' says lovin' like a lobstergram! I send my parents a lobstergram every year for their anniversary, not live ones though, I don't do that, I get them the tails, I got them the 'Lotsa Lobsta Tail Gram' just this past February, they made 2-3 meals out of it.
http://www.livelob.com/Store/Product.aspx?ID=LOTSA_LOBSTA_TAIL_GRAM
Southern_bella at 11:29PM on 05/05/08
I just sent a Junior's cheesecake package to an old friend who just had a baby. They have a sampler option that I thought would be good for them to have given all the visitors they are going to have.
My mother used to send me meat by mail from the Elgin Smokehouse...and I was a vegetarian. She would also send me Hormel Hams...I think she would get me and my sister confused a bit.
souldawg at 9:49AM on 05/06/08
I usually send baked goods that would normally sit out on the counter (quick breads, cookies, etc) so I don't worry too much about the freshness when it arrives. Or, at least I don't when I'm shipping domestically - I once sent a huge batch of cookies to a friend in Germany and they were rocks by the time they arrived!
Also, if you can ship overnight and know they'll be home to receive it the next day (say, sending it Friday to arrive Saturday) a loaf of bread and homemade (or locally made) jam is a great gift. I just sent that to my younger sister during her finals.
LizNYC at 11:02AM on 05/06/08
D'Artagnan does great food gift baskets, and there's always the old standby -- Honey Baked Ham.
GingerCM at 12:15PM on 05/06/08
If you decide to send baked goods, like cookies, stick a couple of slice of regular sandwich bread in the bag/container. I just got a box of homemade cookies that took over a week to get here and they were still soft! The bread on the other hand...straight to the trash
machellebelle at 12:27PM on 05/06/08
Call their favorite take out place and buy a gift certificate. You should be able to use your credit card over the phone.
Kerosena at 2:27PM on 05/06/08
You should try Food411.com - it is a very useful food directory site that is very selective. It is my resource whenever I sent a food gift --or need a specific ingredient etc. They have a few resources that deliver chef made meals, so I think it will be helpful
heartfood at 3:46PM on 05/06/08
My brother and I have used igourmet.com for quite a few food gifts, never had a problem. Quite a nice selection too.
mrsadm at 4:29PM on 05/06/08
These are all such great suggestions. I had to laugh at the Elgin's sausage - Elgin is 2 hours from me, It is so easy to forget something simple and local like that good sausage.
I also overlooked doing something simple like baking cookies or perhaps sending coffee and biscotti - and I have a great biscotti recipe.
I had never heard of the Lobsta Gram - I have to admit that one really looks interesting.
I am going to look through the sites and see what makes sense.
Whatever I pick this time, I now have some really cool resources for future food gifting - and I so appreciate you all taking the time to give me suggestions.
cmckenna at 3:07AM on 05/07/08
Zingermans in Ann Arbor has some delicious things grouped in theme baskets, or you could put your own selection together. www.zingermans.com
sarajane at 6:36PM on 05/07/08