MNN - Mother Nature Network

I had a list of last-minute Christmas gifts for foodies last year, and I thought they were some good ideas. I have five more ideas, and between the two lists, you should have no problem coming up with a gift for your favorite food lover at 11:59 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

1. Local spirits – A bottle of a locally distilled spirit is a welcome gift. I’m near Philadelphia, and a bottle of Bluecoat American Gin or Art in the Age’s Sage would be great gifts for someone in the area. At a party we had the other week, we ended up with a bottle of Tito’s Handmade Vodka from Austin, Texas, that’s terrific. The local spirits movement is growing, and if you head into your neighborhood liquor store and ask what local spirits they have in stock, you might find the perfect gift to help stock a friend’s bar.
2. French press – I hate it when my husband travels, but there’s one thing about it I like. I can make my coffee in the French press instead of our coffee maker because I don’t have to make as much. It makes a stronger, hotter cup of coffee that's superior to any coffee maker we've ever had (and it doesn't break like electric coffee makers). If you have a coffee lover on your list, good French presses can be found at kitchen, department and home goods stores for less than $30.
3. Vintage linens – If you have secondhand or antique stores in the area, you can scoure them for some fabulous vintage tablecloths. Make sure you have the right dimensions for your recipient’s table, and check the linens carefully for stains and holes. If you can find a beautiful tablecloth that matches their décor, trust me, no one will care that it’s not brand new.
4. Subscription to Lucky Peach – I’ve been getting this quarterly food journal since it first hit the stands in 2011, and I read each issue from cover to cover when it arrives in my mailbox. A one-year subscription is $28, and for those who love not just food but the pop-food culture, it’s worth every penny.
5. Donate in their name to a Kickstarter campaign – For that foodie family member or friend who “really doesn’t need anything,” you can still remember them at Christmas with a donation in their name to a worthy food-related project that needs funding. You can donate as little as $1 to some projects.