What To Bring Your Hosts This Holiday Season

For Bacon Lovers (with a Sense of Humor): Bacon Candies

My family loves to have a little fun when bringing gifts to our hosts during the holidays (in addition to a proper present, of course).

For Bacon Lovers (with a Sense of Humor): Bacon Candies

Bacon gummies or candies are just the thing that we'll be toting to each person's place. Consider them bacon-lover approved!

For the Trendsetter: French Macarons

With an ethereal lightness, a dainty crisp texture, and a satisfying filling that always seems to pack a flavor punch, these elegant sweets have been called the anti-cupcake by The New York Times. Once only available in France, the colorful treats have taken the U.S. by storm.

For the Trendsetter: French Macarons

These brightly colored treats can be found in most cities at French bakeries. They are made by hand with the utmost precision, and are just the thing to gift that hard-to-please person on your list.

For Your In-Laws: Italian Cantuccini and Vin Santo

If you've traveled to Tuscany, then you know of these delightfully crisp, nut-studded biscotti that are served with the after-dinner coffee, tea, or glass of dessert wine.

For Your In-Laws: Italian Cantuccini and Vin Santo

But you don't have to travel back to Italy to get your fix, thanks to Dean and Deluca. Pair a tin of cookies with its best mate a bottle of vin santo.

For the Romantic Interest: Cheeses Fit for Bubbly

The holidays aren't complete without a little indulgence, nor are the celebrations complete without something bubbly, so this gift is the perfect solution to that what-should-I-bring dilemma (After all, you don't want something that screams commitment).

For the Romantic Interest: Cheeses Fit for Bubbly

Featuring a trio of carefully selected cheeses, crispy oatcakes, berry jam, and something sweet, is perfect to send ahead, with a bottle of bubbly of course.

For the Meat Lover: Salami Like They Make in Italy

Any meat lover or food lover will love receiving tasty Italian salami. It's perfect to put on sandwiches, serve with cheese, or snack on in the kitchen.

For the Meat Lover: Salami Like They Make in Italy

Salami is actually a type of cured sausage that can be used for a wide variety of things, such as peperoni for pizza.

For Colleagues: Hearty Soup Mixes

It's a gift that is simple and delicious, with no pretense — gourmet dried soup mixes that are able to feed tons of people. And when the weather gets chilly, it's nice to have all the ingredients for soup at the ready in the pantry.

For Colleagues: Hearty Soup Mixes

Make the hearty soup mixes in a mason jar to give your host a practical, homemade gift. You can also buy soup mixes premade at a wide variety of stores.

For the Working Parents: Sauces

Everyone has those moments where they're too tired to cook, but ordering in is just not an option. Whether it's too late or you're trying to save on money, homemade gourmet sauces are a fantastic food gift. With flavor-packed harvest tomatoes, simmer sauces are great for pasta and for dipping.

For the Working Parents: Sauces

Transform boneless, skinless chicken breasts into something that tastes quite indulgent by simmering them in a smoky bacon and Parmesan sauce. Added benefit? Your house will smell like you've been cooking all day. 

For the Host Who Is Always Having a Party: Sweet and Savory Jams

Jams aren't only for spreading on peanut butter or to go with crumpets at tea time. Homemade jams make a fantastic gift for party loving hosts, because they can easily be used to make impressive appetizers.

For the Host Who Is Always Having a Party: Sweet and Savory Jams

Try giving peach jam as an appetizer to place on top of cream cheese for cocktail hour, or use it to glaze chicken before grilling.

For the Host Who Is Always Having a Party: Sweet and Savory Jams

Blueberry jam is the perfect match for a lemony dessert or roast meat. We love strawberry-basil flavor on a scoop of ice cream for an instant dessert.

For the Francophile: Parisian Croissants, From Your Oven

There is something so simple yet utterly satisfying about breaking open a fresh-baked croissant. The flaky layers, the buttery flavor, and perhaps the molten chocolate surprise inside make this the perfect Francophile treat.

For the Francophile: Parisian Croissants, From Your Oven

For the host who can't make it to Paris this year, even though they've been practicing their French, send them a bit of Paris with a package of croissants that can be baked for breakfast the next day or for tea.

For the Francophile: Parisian Croissants, From Your Oven

Bake up homemade croissants filled with surprise centers for your hostess! It's like taking a trip to the City of Lights without changing out of your pajamas.

For Families: Breakfast Staples

Wine or chocolates are a hostess-gift standard, so why not surprise hosts with something that will truly come in handy when they're too tired to cook the next morning — breakfast staples.

For Families: Breakfast Staples

From all natural peanut butter and nut-studded granola to jams and waffle mix, there isn't a bad choice to make, and you can even throw in some homemade goodies for a gift that truly suits the receiver's taste.

For the Budget Traveler: A Trio of Olive Oils

For the food-obsessed host who'd love to taste their way around the globe, but can't, bring some of the world's most flavorful and unctuous oils to them this year.

For the Budget Traveler: A Trio of Olive Oils

Buy a set of olive oils or collect different brands from different farmers markets for your gift. Don't forget to give this to your host with a fresh loaf of artisanal bread and balsamic vinegar for an olive oil tasting.

For the Person with a Sweet Tooth: Artisanal Caramel

Caramel is caramel, but these caramels take the plain candy to a whole new level by putting a unique spin on traditional favorites. The pistachio caramel corn and dark chocolate caramel sauce are perfect for gifting.

For the Person with a Sweet Tooth: Artisanal Caramel

Save them for a snack, or combine them together, topping a scoop of ice cream with a drizzle of sauce and a garnish of caramel corn for crunch dessert is instantly served.