Or try the makings of a Rueben, with a can of sauerkraut, swiss cheese and corned beef, with a similar loaf of rye and a jar of fancy mustard. Naturally, Deli packages containing meats or fresh cheese will have to stay refrigerated and be delivered soon after assembling. A Pizza Kit Gift might start with a package of sun dried tomatoes, a package of yeast or prepared crusts, such as Boboli, a stick of Pepperoni sausage, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, a jar of dried oregano and a small bottle of olive oil. Add a pizza pan if that suits your budget. Do include your own recipe for Pizza Sauce, and a warning to keep the perishables in your gift refrigerated.
Antipasti relishes are always popular around the holidays, especially with New Year's Eve coming.
Arrange an assortment of gourmet relishes such as Pepper Relish, Corn Relish, salsa and Chili Sauce in a basket with appropriate chips, crackers, bread sticks or cheeses and olives. An attractive serving dish or basket that will hold your assemblage of treats will look great, wrapped in red or green or gold cellophane. Recently I included a pound each of great peanut brittle and chocolate turtles, some licorice sticks, after dinner mints, cookie pops decorated for the holidays, candy kisses in foil and a half-pound of jelly beans into one such package, taking into account the favorites of the family who would be getting the gift. Everybody loves good food gifts, and from my experience, I can assure you the treats you pick and combine and package yourself will be far more appreciated than the skimpier ones that waste your money on cardboard, aluminum foil, hoopla and shipping fees. Attractively packaged assortments of go-with food items make wonderful, appealing gifts at a tad of the price paid to a gourmet packager.