Italian House Warming Gifts

I can't say I know a single person who does not like Italian cuisine! Who does not like the odors of rich pesto sauce, hot onions, and warm made bread? If anyone has perfected comfort food, it's the Italians! Sadly, I don't have a drop of Italian blood in me, but even so, that does not mean I do not enjoy the culture, language, and naturally the cuisine and red wine. Given that I myself do not come from an Italian family, I am fascinated by the ceremony and traditions that envelop an Italian table. I have learned a bit about traditional Italian table conduct and have decided to write about a few of them here. First of all, before rushing into your food, any first timer should understand that an Italian feast is not a hasty occurance, but might take as many as three hours. This means, sit back, unwind, and relish your food slowly. It is conventional for every visitor to give a popular dish to share with everyone. This means there can be as many as ten courses in a meal. At this time I would like to suggest a piece of advice not to dish up for yourself too much too quickly. With ten various dishes to try it is smart to leave room for a little bit of everything. Make sure you are on time! In the nicest of Italian customs, no one will start to eat until every single guest it there. In an attempt not to keep others waiting, make sure not to be late. The most important recommendation I can give you is to forego any stress you have and just thoroughly savor the meal! Italians will generally linger seated at the table long past when they have finished eating solely to benefit from good company. I can't think of a better way to kick back and forget the heavy strains of normal life! Now I'm sure after reading this you are going to want to head to the closest Italian restaurant or call up your closest Italian friend and ask if you can join them for dinner. Another choice for a profound Italian urge is to order delivery... by that I mean order an Italian Gift Basket online from Baskets By Rita. This Italian Housewarming Gift Basket is a excellent way to say happy birthday, congratulations, or enjoy your new home! It features organic pasta, spaghetti sauce, Italian wafer cookies, artisan breadsticks, herb cheese spread, summer sausage, green olives, almonds, and espresso candy. Since we have already decided that everyone appreciates Italian food, how could you possibly go wrong? Follow up on twitter and find us on facebook.

Seasonal Spice Is Nice Gifts

Is it just me, or are Americans preoccupied with seasonal flavors? Consider pumpkin spice for example. Towards the end of summer coffee houses start offering their pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pie returns to the dessert lists at eateries, and full-bodied beers are offered on tap and in liquor stores. I guess there's something about these flavors that helps us get into the holiday spirit. Other flavors that become more widespread are apple, caramel, cinnamon, peppermint, and gingerbread, to name a few. It seems as though there is something significant about keeping these vibrant, cozy tastes for this season. It offers us something to anticipate as the temperature drops and we begin to spend more time indoors. Have you ever asked yourself where these flavors came from? Consider cinnamon for instance... Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka, formerly named Ceylon and can be linked back to 2800 B.C. All through history, this spice was so highly sought after that wars have been fought over it! Used as a kind of currency, medicine, for embalming (peculiar, eh?), and an aphrodisiac, cinnamon has been highly valued all through the globe throughout human history. That will give you something to ponder the next time you enjoy a cinnamon roll! At the beginning of each holiday season I cannot wait to eat some holiday treats including a peppermint mocha (even though I prefer mine with white chocolate) or a scoop of pumpkin ice cream. Another one of my favorites is gingerbread cookies with candy buttons. Yummy! I am drooling just thinking about this! What if this year you could bring someone the perfect gift of all these flavors? If you know someone who is in need of a bit of holiday cheer, give them a Grand Gourmet Gift basket from Baskets By Rita. The best of the best! Our Holiday Grand Gourmet gift basket is our highest quality basket and it contains a little bit of everything. Smoked Gouda cheese, Shiraz wine cheese, crackers, fancy mixed nuts, tin of holiday cookies, white chocolate snowflake candy, Jelly Belly candies, smoked salmon, Oatmeal raisin cookies, beef sausage, olives, raspberry honey dipping mustard, gourmet pretzel twists, Starbuck's Coffee, dark chocolate orange sticks, pita chips, caramel corn, Ghirardelli chocolates, pistachios, and much, much more. A great holiday gift for anyone on your list. $175 listed and shown Make it easy on yourself this year with your holiday shopping and leave the work up to us. While you're at it, why not order a little something for yourself? Ultimately, the holidays are supposed to be enjoyable! If you found this blog interesting, why not share it with your friends on Facebook or Twitter? Thanks for the repost!  http://www.basketsbyrita.com/Grand-Gourmet-Gift-basket_p_111.html

A New Meaning for Thanksgiving

Ever since the 19th century, US citizens have recognized Thanksgiving by imitating the image of the pilgrims and the Indians joining together for a pleasant feast. As lovely as this concept of equality might be, it is not true. The history of pilgrims and Indians was one of one-sided amity. while the Indians supplied the pilgrims with goods and know-how to endure their first winter the pilgrims gave thanks to them by brutally murdering and assaulting them. Even though this is not what we want to picture as we congregate to dine with our friends and family, maybe it offers a new point of view to the season. The pilgrims were self-advancing and distrustful. They took from the Indians and reciprocated in the worst ways possible. Maybe instead of emulating the dreamy image of the pilgrims and Indians as friends each Thanksgiving, we should think about on the unfaithfulness the Indians encountered at the hands of their "friends" the pilgrims. Now I don't meant to say that Thanksgiving should be a solemn day of contemplation and retrospection, but maybe we should take the opportunity to contemplate our own relationships. Of all the things we give thanks for on Thanksgiving, the individuals we cherish should be at the very top. Thanksgiving is not only an occasion for us to share our numerous blessings with those closest to us, but to convey our recognition for their devoted friendship. This Thanksgiving you might think about bringing a little something extra to convey your appreciation. Why not thank your friends for their friendship and support by sending them a Autumn Gourmet Gift Basket from Baskets By Rita? This seasonal Autumn Gourmet Food Gift Basket is filled with wonderful treats for the fall season. It is great for the office to share or as a family treat. Tomato basil cheese, sesame crackers, shortbread cookies, a Chocolove orange peel in dark chocolate bar, an almond toffee and milk chocolate bar, caramel Apple taffy, roasted salted mixed nuts, apple cider, autumn mix candies, caramel apple popcorn, a fresh baked brownie and Izze sparkling fruit soda in our warm stained willow basket. Celebrate the fall harvest season!

Send Joy In a Well Chosen Gift

A few days ago I received amazing news. I am going to be an auntie again! One of my lifelong friends just found out that she's having a baby and in about six months we will all be welcoming a newborn baby into this world. The moment she explained her situation I started thinking about a baby shower, welcome gift ideas, and all the gadgets, diapers and clothes that this babe is going to require. I commenced looking on the net for gift ideas to welcome a new infant and I stumbled across the Bearington Baby collection from Bearington Bear. Bearington Bear has been in business for 14 years and in that short time they have won more design awards and nominations than any other teddy bear Business. Not only are their products nice and cuddly, but they are made to last. This seemed like the sort of product I wanted. I don't think there's anything more significant to a youngster than their favorite teddy or security blanket. Often, by the time the child turns six, the teddy bear or security blanket which they've clung to since birth is so used that it becomes an eyesore that mother would rather not keep around. This is a shame when you consider all the fantastic memories these security items summon. Not to mention the security they install in the little one. I believe that paying a higher price on a teddy bear that will last far longer is worth every cent. I truly cannot think of a significantly better keepsake for my friend than to give her first baby a cuddly keepsake that will still be around long after the child has outgrown it. Baskets By Rita recently began selling products by Bearington Baby and they have designed several adorable baby baskets which include Bearington products. Baskets By Rita carries filled with a blanket, a bib, a onesie, and a teddy bear for under $100. In addition you can select Candle and Bath Gift Basket This gift basket has a high quality Soy candle and Spa quality bath products that will impress and delight that special someone. Beautifully wrapped and tied with a bow and butterfly. By ordering one of these gifts I will not only be the best auntie, but I will be giving this newborn a quality gift which will last them a lifetime. If you like what you've read please find us on Facebook or follow is on Twitter.