• Rule of the thumb, taste it before you give it. Your gift is a reflection of who you are and what your choices are. To be sure that you’re giving something that does look yummy and taste good, why not taste it first before buying in bulk.



• Check the expiration date. Make sure that your gift’s shelf life would last at least even after the holiday season. Otherwise, you have to inform the receiver that they need to open and consume the gift once handed to him or her.



• Check if the receiver is allergic to something…like nuts, cinnamon, chocolates, seafood, etc. You wouldn’t want to have your loved ones spending the holidays in the hospital…just because you baked seafood lasagna for someone who loathes shrimps! Aside from allergies, you may also want to check if your recipient has diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart problems. Avoid giving dishes that may affect their health condition.



• Be creative in packaging. It is better to choose wrapper that is see-through (e.g. cling wrap, cellophane, or Christmas plastic bags) so your gift’s recipient would know that something inside is perishable. You may put your gift in a jar, tin cans, basket, or microwave-able containers. Good thing is, the recipient could recycle these containers after the season!

Still having a hard time on what to get your loved ones? Click here for Appetite’s The A List – gift recommendations that are truly tempting!