Perfect for Winter—First Aid of a Different Sort

Stumped at what to get a difficult-to-buy-for loved one for the holidays? How about a first-aid kit?

No, not the kind with bandages and aspirin; I’m talking about the real essentials. Get a big box and fill it with gourmet coffee, fine quality hot cocoa mix, even cans of hearty soups and stews. Add some crackers and cookies and a few pieces of rich chocolate, wrap it up with white paper and put a big red cross on the package, and voila! You’ve got a gift that will get your loved one through the most miserable winter weather—with a smile.

Perhaps your friend is a real coffee aficionado; if so, choose a selection of fine coffees in his or her preference of ground coffee or whole beans; add a coffee grinder for the beans, and a single-serving coffeemaker. Toss in a mix for gingerbread or brownies, or opt for one or two of the new microwaveable dessert mixes, and you’ve got the makings for a cozy winter afternoon get-together.

Does your gift recipient need to take his or her present on the road? Combine favorite coffees with a rugged, high quality travel Thermos. If your loved one is a night rider (a cop or snowplow operator who mans the roads all winter), make sure the Thermos is a big one.

Coffee, chocolate, and other cold-weather consumables make great gifts for busy family and friends, and will be a welcome reminder of your affection every time they dip into their "first-aid kit".