Don’t you just love giving gifts? As we age, it’s really more delightful than getting them, don’t you think? And, it doesn’t matter what the occasion—giving is just such a source of joy. Of course, with Mother’s Day quickly approaching, let’s think in those terms.


Thus, true to the overall theme of our Cook’n newsletter, what a about food-related gift? I realize food gifts (outside of chocolates) might seem a little odd for a Mother’s Day gift. Flowers, spa packages, or a dinner out tend to be more the norm. But why not break with tradition and add some true unexpectedness to your gift?

Unless you know FOR SURE that your receivers don’t like to cook or eat, this quick list of ideas might be the perfect answer for the moms/grandmoms on your gifting list. Whether you make them yourself or buy them already made, food, kitchen- and food-related gifts are proverbial favorites.


A prettily boxed assortment of your homemade or purchased macarons. These are all the rage now and make such a beautiful presentation.

A loaf of warm bread with the recipe and a package of Irish butter included.

Speaking of butter, homemade herbed, spiced, or fruited butters are unusual and always delicious.

A basket of herbal teas, a tea ball, and a pretty mug.

A bag of dried vegetable pasta. a jar of gourmet marinara or spaghetti sauce, and a pretty pasta jar.

A bottle of herbed vinegar, paired with a bottle of herbed olive oil, and a classic decanter.


A basket containing mixed nuts along with a variety of dried fruits (cranberries, blueberries, tart cherries, etc.) in a pretty crystal lidded dish.

A kitchen candle, with matching containers of liquid hand soap and hand lotion.

A container of Dutch cocoa (or other high-quality cocoa powder) with your favorite brownie or hot cocoa recipe attached.

A specialty food unique to your locale or region.


A basket with new dish towels and a pair of beeswax candles.

A packet of 5 to 10 of your favorite recipes tied with a ribbon. (And Cook’n makes this idea super fast and easy!)

A new cookbook that you’re head-over-heels about, or a cooking/recipe journal.


Or DUH…why not give Cook’n recipe organizer? Every time I give this software the receivers hug the breath out of me! Really, isn’t that the best gift of all—one you’d want to receive yourself? Cook’n fills that bill for sure!


So in conclusion, I understand how blah-boring-practical and unglamorous these ideas are. And yet, maybe not, if yours is a passionate-about-cooking mom or grandmom. Think about it, anyway. And happy Mother’s Day to all you remarkable Cook’n moms and grandmoms out there!