Rosemary Sea Salt

1 3-lb box of kosher salt (about 8 cups)
Bunches of fresh rosemary with sprigs attached, plus more for garnish

1. In a large high sided saute pan, combine salt and rosemary. Place over medium heat and warm through, about 10 minutes. Transfer salt rosemary mixture to a container. Let it cool for 5 minutes, uncovered, then cover with an airtight lid. Let stand at least overnight. (The container used for this step is for preparation only).

2. When it's time to fill the mixture into containers that it will be gifted in, discard old rosemary. Fill desired container with salt and garnish the tops and sides of the jars with rosemary sprigs trimmed to size.

This rosemary sea salt isn't limited to the kitchen. It can also be used as a body salt scrub. It would be a great addition in a spa or relaxing theme as part of a bath treatment. You can leave it as such or add a little grapeseed oil for a more lubricated finish. Rosemary has a relaxing and soothing scent that increases circulation and is great for normal to oily skin types. You can even use this as a scalp treatment if you aren't sensitive. But I recommend that grapeseed oil be incorporated if it's used for that treatment. As a salt scrub, it can be used once a week. But as a scalp treatment, I would only recommend using it once a month. And only if you have an oily non-sensitive scalp.

Food Lover's and Chef's

Food lovers have a tendency to get oddly excited over an exotic salt collection. I am one of them. We can appreciate the subtleties in flavor, and our imagination goes wild with how the salts can be used. Here is a list of my favorites:

Maldon Sea Salt: They're delicious on sliced Heirloom tomatoes.

Celtic Gray Salt: It's like you can taste the fresh ocean. They're moist and flavor soups beautifully.

Haleakala Red Sea Salt: An unusual and nutty flavor

Himalania Pink Salt: Couples beautifully with fish.

Alternatively, you can make your own salt rub to personalize it. Rosemary Sea Salt is a delicious choice especially for lamb lovers. (I'll post the recipe under Rosemary Sea Salt).

Cookbooks can also be great choices. You have to carefully evaluate your gift recipients, though. I personally prefer specialty cookbooks. That's the beauty and appeal of buying a cookbook because authentic recipes can be found, unlike online sources that don't share a passion to preserve the culture and tell a story through its food. However, busy minimalists may feel otherwise. Having a tangible book increases a person's likeliness to make those recipes, rather searching online. It's all about what works for the recipient.

-Specialty Cookbooks-

A Taste of Guam
Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
Classic Indian Cooking
Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume 1
Please to the Table: The Russian Cookbook
The Complete Book of Greek Cooking
The Irish Heritage Cookbook
The Silver Spoon
The Wisdom of the Chinese Kitchen

-General Cookbooks-

Everyday Food: Great Food Fast
O, The Oprah Magazine Cookbook
Rachael Ray Cookbook of choice
The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics

Even a cooking class may spark their interest especially if it's a class on pickling or something obscure like that.

Gift Cards

Some people downright refuse to give away gift cards, viewing them as impersonal and inconsiderate gestures. I think that's a selfish projection. I know some people want to give gifts that they'd like to receive, but we're all unique and have different interests. Don't let your reservations interfere with your judgment. Some people would love gift cards.

Bookworms strongly prefer gift cards to Borders than they would pre-selected books. Many book lovers already own their favorites, and their preferences are so specific that they may be disappointed if they don't get exactly what they want. Half the thrill for them is to skim through the pages and find something that touches their soul. Their excitement and anticipation washes over, and they immediately head to the cash register. By buying specific books for them, you just took away half their fun.

Gift cards to grocery stores are great as housewarming gifts for friends who've just moved out or are going away to college. Food, as fundamental and focally prioritized as it is in our society, it's the first sacrifice made when funds start to dry up. A starving student can tell you how much food is appreciated.

For a fashionista, gift cards are, once again, quite possibly a greater thrill than receiving pre-selected items. I'm generally good at picking out clothes that fit well, but I've learned how different each and every body can be. I have a friend whose boobs feel have the consistency of pudding wrapped in saran wrap, but they're so perky. She had no idea that her boobs are exceptionally soft. She assumed everyone's body is like that. Even stretchy material doesn't stretch out around her boobs the way they should. I have another friend whose a 34B, and her boobs must be rock hard because all the tops she wears lift up around her boobs. So all her tops have to have some sort of stretch material.

For foodies or parents, gift cards to a nice restaurant are appropriate. My friends and I love to eat at new places. Not having to worry about the bill can be a refreshing treat. For parents, getting away has always been the challenge. A gift card for a restaurant that has to be used will give them the right motivation.

The Gift of Time

If you've racked your mind and still have come up with no gift solution. But if you're handy around the house or are willing to take on some chores, offering the gift of time can be a well-appreciated gesture especially for single mothers and other busy individuals. This can be someone's opportunity to get their pipes cleaned, fixing a loose lock, getting new tiles on the bathroom floor, having new cabinets built, etc. Or it can involve babysitting, taking on the responsibility of making food for a family, playing the role of cleaning maid, etc. It's more of a practical gift more than anything. But for some people, this can be the best gift of all.

Spa Theme

For the friend who does too much and never takes a break, this is the perfect gift. I recommend adding a terry cloth toiletry bag or a monogrammed tote, a plush bathrobe, fuzzy slippers, candles, eye pillow, and face mask for the gift recipient's skin type. This may not seem affordable, but you'd be surprised how reasonable this gift set can be especially if you make the products from scratch. A simple bath treatment can be made out of milk powder and lavender flowers. A honey face mask or exfoliator can be made with honey, baking soda, and milk powder. A body oil, which can double as a massage oil, can be scented with lemon or lavender or whatever essential oil and grapeseed oil, an unscented base oil for a luxurious treat. Bath bombs fizz in the water and are luxurious treatments. LUSH sells them for about $5 a pop, but you can also make them yourself. The same go for candles. I'll be sure to include recipes in a later time.

Italian Theme Gift

This is a great gift for food lovers, chef's, travelers, or even couples. Include red wine, wineglasses, pasta (homemade preferably), a jar of homemade bolognese sauce, a bottle of extra-virgin olive oil, bruschetta, marinated artichokes, unscented candles (for consideration and to be on the safe side), and an Italian mixed CD. You can add more to this gift set, if you'd like, but I specifically chose the following because it covers drinks, appetizers, main dish, dessert, and entertainment. Some wonderful additions would be sundried tomatoes, canned tomatoes, cheese sticks, or Italian coffee.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

As many of us get older, we start to appreciate simplicities in life. In such a materialistic society, undoubtedly there are more favorable gifts to receive than chocolate covered strawberries, but don't be so quick to dismiss such a yummy treat. In high school, something like this would never pass. But high school's over for me. I think just the gesture of giving and receiving gifts is appreciated. It's not a bad gift to give to someone who already has everything. When I first heard this, I thought it was nuts. But it makes sense. If someone has everything, adding to their exorbitant collection is more troublesome than anything. If you're still hesitant to give these to a close friend, consider it for co-workers or acquaintances. Admittedly, the price tag for mere strawberries and chocolates are overpriced for what it is. But all in all, an inexpensive gesture. If you gift it to someone with low expectations, it'll be a flattering treat. If you can't bring yourself to paying so much for what it's actually worth, you can actually make these on your own.

Gift Baskets and Care Packages

I know that they're a clique, and not everyone enjoys them. But there's a greater chance that your gift recipients will like what you get them if there's more than one gift. Besides, by taking the time to personalize a gift, you're more likely to find something your friends will like because of the extra consideration you put into it. Here are some ideas:

*Italian Dinner Theme
*Movie Lover Package
*Jams & Preserves
*Spa Girl or Guy
*Relaxation Kit
*Beauty Set
*Bookworm
*For the Green Thumb
*Exotic Salt Collection
*Craft Lover
*Art Student

The Value of Gift Consideration

My motivation for creating this gift giving blog is the ease I feel I offer others. I can be a difficult person. I'm direct, but I'm also demanding. Ironically, though, when it comes to gift giving, an overwhelming, burdensome task for most people, I find that I make it surprisingly easy. I have a lot of interests, yet my taste is selective. Nonetheless, I've never received a gift I disliked. My friends all agree that I'm easy to shop for, and they quickly find gifts for me. Unfortunately, I wasn't always able to reciprocate. When I was younger, I was a terrible gift giver. I've become much better now. I think if I had a little guidance when I was younger, my friends would've looked forward to my gifts.

Know Your Gift Recipients

In order to give an appropriate, thoughtful, and considerate gift, you have to know your gift recipient(s). Be realistic about who they are, what they enjoy, and what they need, not what you think they need or should have. In spite of how unavailable things seem to be, we live in a world of astounding choices. It can be overwhelming, at times. To refine the infinite selection to relevant choices is simple.

Consider designating a journal for gift matters. An inexpensive one from the Dollar Tree store will be adequate. I like alphabetizing the pages and adding my friends to the list. Before I even start considering what to get them, I take notes of who they are and what their interests are. For example, Jessica is/likes:

A fashion designer
Athletic
Parties
Mochas
the color purple
Her family
Snowboarding
Martial arts
Smallville

Of course, this list can be endless depending on how close you are the recipient. So the list should as much as possible be limited to relevant information. With that said, determining which facts are useful and which ones aren't can be hard to tell in the beginning. If your mind runs wild, embrace it. But after about ten things, review it to see if any gift ideas come to mind. I like doing this because it's a lot less overwhelming to tackle ten things than two pages worth. You don't want to develop a chronic habit of list making just for the hell of it. Keep in mind that there's a goal behind your actions. And remember this is supposed to be an inspiring experience, not add to your burden and confusion. Then I categorize two sections: gifts I'd like to give and then a second category that narrows down affordable choices. For example:

Jessica is/likes:

A fashion designer
Athletic
Parties
Mochas
the color purple
Her family
Snowboarding
Martial arts
Smallville

Gift Ideas:

Coffee maker
Membership to a ski resort
Gift certificate for a family portrait
A selection of luxurious fabrics in purple
Tickets to a fashion show
Box DVD set of Smallville

Based on the list I made above, I narrow down which choices are affordable. There's no point in having a generous list if everything on it is out of your price range. Try to have more than one choice available at the end because there's always a possibility that someone else buys the same thing or the item is out of stock. Hopefully, you can cross check with other friends to make sure no duplicates exist.

I also like creating a general guideline of what gifts to follow depending on your association to the recipient: new friend, coworker, neighbor, professor, etc. I'll dedicate another entry for those in the future.

Introductory Guide to Great Gift Giving

Gift giving can be a complicated and overwhelming task. But with a little guidance and abundant resources, it can be a fun experience. At the very least, you'll complete your shopping list without hesitation and concern. The effort may seem unnecessary and time-consuming, but a little brainstorming and consideration can go a long way. It's so helpful for me that I'm able to create a shopping list years in advance, although as I get older, sustaining that has become more difficult. It's still worth it, though.