Helping People to Use the Gift You Give

Gourmet goody boxes are wonderful presents to give, but it all hinges on a) knowing what the person will be willing to try and use and b) helping them to use what you gave them. I am giving goody boxes to people I know and love, so my boxes are tailored to those people's preferences. One friend isn't crazy about cranberries, but her husband is a chocaholic, so their box has no cranberry items but plenty of chocolate items. Another friend absolutely adores cranberries and so does her husband, so their box will have a few different cranberry items in it. A vegetarian friend will have a box that is carefully checked for animal products. Yet another friend is diabetic, so that box will feature sugar free spreads, condiments, and sweets.

All of my goody boxes have off-the-wall treats in them. It's my hallmark! I rarely repeat goody box items from one year to the next; only a couple of requested items will show up again while everything else is fresh and new. Savory jams, flavored vinegars, gourmet mustards, and more are in the boxes. Some things are obvious on how to enjoy; chocolate dipped pretzel rods are easy to figure out. Some things aren't so obvious, or some things are better if eaten in an unusual way. Every goody box I create has a stack of cards inside that give recipes or ideas for using the treats in the box. I print mine off on my computer printer using postcard sized cards. Handwriting them, stamping them, or decorating them would add a special touch. Here is an example of one suggestion list I'll tuck in a box that has an assortment of jam, jelly, fruit butter, and preserves:

stir into oatmeal instead of sugar
use as a sweetener in tea or coffee
stir into frosting and then spread on cakes
use in between cake layers instead of frosting
serve as an ice cream topping or add to milkshakes
make surprise muffins (recipe included)
make treats such thumbprint cookies
especially for savory spreads, serve with cream cheese and whole grain crackers or spread on brie and bake, then serving the warm brie with whole grain crackers

Helping people to explore ways to use that gourmet treat you gave them will help to ensure that they get to enjoy your present! Another idea is to do themed goody boxes. Mine include a variety of treats; this year will likely feature a mustard, a couple fruit jams, a savory jam, a fruit jelly, flavored vinager, a sweet snack, a candy, a chocolate snack/treat, a baked good. Doing a theme is just as fun. Make some simple muffins and add an assortment of jams. Put together a basket of coffees and custom flavored stirring spoons along with some homemade cookies or biscotti. How about a couple flavored vinegars, a couple good oils, and some little pots of herb plants that you've already started to grow? Even if you don't make a lot of your own home canned goods or bake luscious confections, there are still lots of ideas for great goody boxes. Just be sure to tailor it for the recipient and then nudge them along with creative ways to use it!