For the cookie baker -  A gift basket or box including 2-3
colorful spatulas. Some non-stick liners. Used to remove
cookies from a baking sheet. Cookie sheets. You can find
these in a variety of sizes. From simple to designer expen-
sive. Add some containers of toppings and sprinkles.
A variety of cookie cutters.

For the cake baker - A gift basket or box including a couple
of different sized cooling racks. A baker sits cakes on a rack 
to cool before frosting. Racks allow the air to surround the
cake and cool faster. Non-stick liners. Cake pans in different
sizes. Some decorative white paper doilies to place under
their cakes. Or, a beautiful cake serving dish or cake cutting
tool.

For the cupcake or muffin baker - A gift basket or box in-
cluding 2-3 colorful spatulas. Cooling racks. Cupcake/muffin
baking tins. Sprinkles, toppings, unique frostings. Bottles of
frosting coloring. Unique recipes. Colorful, individual cup-
cake/muffin tin liners.

For the brownie baker:  A gift basket or box including -
cooking pan spray. Square or oblong baking pans. Colorful
spatulas. Non-stick liners. Colorful mixing bowls. Sprinkles,
toppings. Packaged nuts and druied fruit to add to the mix. 



A New Twist to Gourmet Gifts in a Jar

If you’ve heard about gourmet gifts in a jar - the ones with
all the ingredients. The person you're gifting just adds water
and other liquid ingredients, and it’s ready to put in the oven.
These can be perfect gifts. Even for bakers and cooks.
Especially if you have a particular recipe they love.

For instance....

Do they love your recipe for pumpkin or zucchini bread?
Chocolate or Blueberry muffins? If so, get yourself a
new Ball (brand) or Mason jar, organize the ingredients and
fill a jar with them. Also, purchase a new muffin tin or baking
pan. Then, separately, organize the same ingredients and cook
or bake the item in the new tin or pan.

Wrap the entire pan or tin of goodies with clear wrap; and tie
a bright red ribbon and bow around it, along with a gift tag.
Also, tie a bright ribbon and bow around the jar of ingredients,
and add a gift tag. Voila! You have a gift they’ll not only
appreciate, but can eat some of it immediately. Bake the jar
ingredients later.

The same can be done with a variety of goodies. For example:

* Brownies
* Fudge
* Cookies
* Pies
* Candy

In fact, anything with dry ingredients which can be easily
organized in a jar. Then baked in almost any type of mold, tin,
baking pan or sheet.

In fact, if you think about it, you’ll discover there’s dozens
of gifts you can also organize this way. Gifts will be thoroughly
appreciated.


Cookbook Gifting 

Though it may seem a no-brainer, no baker or cook can ever
have enough cookbooks! The type you buy will depend on
whether you’re buying for a newbie, a seasoned cook or baker.

Next time you visit them, check out what they have in the way
of cookbooks. Get them talking on the subject and see what
new cookbook they’re looking for or want. Or - do they like
‘collectible’ cookbooks? Old ones by Betty Crocker and Julia
Child which can be found in antique or 2nd hand shops.

Once you find the right cookbook, think about adding some
appropriate utensils to the gift. For example - a spatula, whisk,
cutting board.

Here’s what to do:

Place the cutting board on your table and sit the cookbook on
top of it (unless the board is smaller then place it on top of
the cookbook) Using a thin red ribbon tie the utensils together.
Lay these on top of the cookbook and cutting board. Then -
using clear wrapping paper - wrap the entire group; gathering
the wrapping paper together (bunching it) as if you were
wrapping a gift basket with a handle. Then tie the bunched
up clear wrap with a red ribbon, add a bow and a gift tag.

Are they into collectible cookbooks?

Check out local antique or 2nd hand shops and you’re sure to
find many  Aside from regular hard-bound Betty Crocker cook-
books you’ll also discover that many appliance and food com-
panies published small paper bound cookbooks. For example -
Westinghouse, Amana, Bisquick, Chief Flour. Even House &
Garden Magazine published small paperback cookbooks, as
well as hard-bound copies.

While these are usually considered collectible most are fairly
inexpensive; priced in the $2 to $10 range. If it’s affordable,
buy several. Or buy 1 hard bound cookbook and 2 paperbacks.

If they’re a baker, look around from some old baking utensils,
cookie or cake molds. Tie the utensils together with bright
ribbon, then wrap the group together using clear wrapping
paper (as above).

If they’re a cook, you’ll likely find old Pyrex mixing bowls or
a collectible pot they'd appreciate. Find a medium sized one,
if you can't afford a set of bowls, add a couple of paperback
cooks to the bowl or pot along with an appropriate utensil or
two. Wrap up the bowl or pot (with the items in it) with clear
wrap (as done above).

As always, consider the person you're gifting.