SeeCalifornia.com

Pictured is Stonehouse Olive Oil (stonehouseoliveoil.com). Their  organically grown olives come from California farms.

If you’re wondering what gifts to give the people who have everything, California grows some of the finest nuts, produces the best wines, champagne, craft brews, olive oils, and we’re still the nation’s leader in dairy products. Why not shop local by purchasing California premium produce and beverages? Everybody has to eat and drink, regardless of their financial status, so food never goes out of style. If you’re worried about not being able to match your preferences and budget to their refined tastes, consider getting gift certificates to some of the online wine clubs, organic growers, and family farms selling everything from walnuts, almonds and pistachios, to strawberries, apples, grapes, mandarin oranges, pears, and more. Just make sure they ship, which most do, and if you don’t see a gift certificate option, call them as many family farm operations simply aren’t great marketers. Among the fun gifts you might consider are specialty cold-pressed olive oils with orange, basil, lemon or garlic flavors. Olive oil is the healthy choice and goes with practically every type of food.

While food may not work for all the people on your holiday gift list, in our household we get excited when food gift baskets arrive. It’s like Christmas.