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.