Judy Dodd, MS, RD, LDN, Giant Eagle^® Corporate Nutritionist

Some gifts are for fun, others are sentimental, and others are practical. Gifts with a “healthy touch” fit all three categories. Although children will always prefer toys, older and wiser gift recipients will appreciate practical gifts.

This season, try one of our holiday gift ideas. The costs will vary, but the usefulness of each will extend long beyond the holiday itself.

• Create an environmentally friendly gift. Start with reusable shopping bags for the wrapping. Fill the bag with Fair Trade coffee and tea, pure soaps, no-additive creams, natural and organic foods – and even environmentally-friendly laundry detergent or cleaners.
• Try making a “world bazaar” basket, and feature delicious – and healthy – foods from around the world. Include some bulgur, Israeli or whole-wheat couscous, Irish or Scottish oatmeal, Mexican corn chips, thin-sliced smoked salmon, and rich Italian tomato sauce with vegetables. Check out the Produce Department for a jicama, plantain, starfruit, pomegranate, or other exotic specialty. Be sure to add a recipe with your basket and some ideas for using the exotic fruit!
• Feature a breakfast bonus – and make this meal more exciting with an assortment of great granola, oatmeal, and cereal. Green tea, herbal tea, low-fat cocoa, or coffee that is naturally decaffeinated make great gifts, too. If refrigeration is possible, add a yogurt smoothie or parfait, an assortment of Greek yogurt and a recipe for muesli. Juice or fresh fruit add nutrition and balance to your breakfast basket.
• Create an “update-the-kitchen” basket. Giant Eagle^® carries an assortment of kitchen gadgets that boost any chef's repertoire. A new omelet pan, scratch-proof cooking utensils, kitchen towels, and even small electric appliances may make cooking more pleasant. Add exotic spices and herbs to a kitchen-themed gift basket to create excitement.
• Create a relaxation gift basket. Add aromatic candles, scented or herbal soap, shower wash, scented or moisturizing lotion, and bubble bath. You can find fragrance-free formulas as well as wonderful scents and options for the person with sensitive skin.
• Travel gift baskets are great for people on the go, and useful travel-size items make great gifts. Add Top Care^® brand products like hand sanitizer, mini packs of Giant Eagle^® tissues, a travel toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner to your basket. Giant Eagle^® coffee and tea in travel-size servings, and small bags of trail mix or granola make meals and snacks easier (and healthier) while on the road.
• Healthy snacks make healthy gifts. These gifts suit all ages and all tastes, and can be boxed and mailed to faraway locations. Granola, trail mix, whole-grain crackers, baked chips, and small cans or packages of tuna, salmon or chicken make smart snacks. Add some oranges, apples, sunflower seeds, nuts, and nut butter to round out your basket. Wrap your gifts in mail-ready packaging and send!
• Of course, gift cards make delightful gifts anytime. Remember to add Giant Eagle^® gift cards to your list, too – they can help pay for perishables while earning you fuelperks!^®.

Need more gift ideas? Email Nutrition@gianteagle.com.

December 2010