Holli Adams of Chefworks displays a gourmet mixing bowl in all its reflecting glory. The scent of spices perfuming something warm from the oven, sparkling champagne by firelight, tables set with homemade favorites and a sense of being exactly where you always wanted to be. Even holidays that aren't printed by Hallmark or colorized by Steven Spielberg tend to bring out the need for time-honored flavors somehow directly linked with all the best memories.
Edible gifts go with the season.
Even though we secretly hated that dense block of fruit and nuts, we still remember its incredibly rich and haunting aroma. One uncle always showed up on Dec. 24 with a tall foil bag filled with a bottle of French champagne. We thought he simply lacked imagination. But in fact it was a thoughtful luxury that delighted my parents. Baking cookies and breads to give as gifts is as old as King David's psalms.