You’re not sure what to get someone for the holidays, and that box of Superstore chocolates looks good.
Maybe a bottle of wine — you were headed to the liquor store anyway, right?
Not so fast, said Karem El-Halaby, owner of Lacombe Park Spirits.
If you’re going to buy a consumable gift, like a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates, you should take some time to get it right.
“People’s preferences are so varied,” he said.
El-Halaby recommends if you don’t have a clear idea what types of liquor your gift recipient likes, pick up a gift card instead.
Understanding the recipient’s lifestyle can also make a difference in how well the gift is received, he said.
“Do you want to buy them something that they're going to have with a meal, something to have with a charcuterie board, or something to sip by the fire?” he said. “We ask those kinds of questions.”
Don’t be afraid to pick up something that doesn’t seem overly “fancy.” If the recipient likes cocktails in a can, get them cocktails in a can, he said.
However, if you decide to go with a canned cocktail, find something that is well-made. (It is a special occasion, after all.)
El-Halaby recommends doing some research on the ingredients used in the drink. In fact, his number one tip is “get something quality.”
“Everybody says vodka all tastes the same,” he said. “It doesn't. There's vodka that you just do not want to drink. Even mixing it, it does not taste very good. Be more aware of the quality of the product.”
Look to buy local if you’d like to support Alberta breweries and distilleries, he said. The province has an abundance of craft beer breweries and many spirits, such as gin and whisky, that are made with unique ingredients. His store even carries a rum made in Calgary.
Locally-made products, flavoured soju (Korean rice wine), canned cocktails and mulled wine have been hits at his store this year, and he’s carrying a large selection of non-alcoholic drinks for those who like the taste but want to skip the buzz.
Grant Hreherchuck, owner of Grapevine Deli, agrees understanding a gift recipient’s preferences is crucial to finding the right edible or drinkable gift.
“You don't want to get a real sharp taste for somebody that likes a mild taste,” he said.
Consider whether the recipient is an “adventurous” eater, Hreherchuck said.
“If they've never had a blue cheese, it's not a good place to start.”
Staff at Grapevine Deli are happy to give customers details on the flavour profiles of everything the deli carries and find something that suits a recipient’s taste preferences, he said.
Check or ask for the ingredients before you buy, and avoid products that have lots of preservatives. In addition to being less healthy, foods loaded with preservatives won’t taste as fresh.
This year, condiments have been particularly popular as gifts at Grapevine Deli, he said.
Customers are stopping by for Dawson’s Hot Sauce brand hot sauces, which are made in Ontario and were popularized on the talk show Hot Ones.
Mustards, like Calgary-based Cian’s beer mustard have also been a hit.
Gift baskets with an assortment of items can make an excellent gift, as long as the basket contains quality food that the recipient will actually enjoy, Hreherchuck said.
But whatever you choose, whether it’s an adventurous spicy blue cheese, or a more subtle flavour, Hreherchuck recommends to “make sure it’s not bland.”
