Christmas Culinary Gift Ideas

It's that time of year again. Time to decorate the tree and get the lights out of the attic. It's also time for another holiday tradition- shopping. Many people find this to be one of the more stressful aspects of the holiday season, but I'm here to help.

Are you trying to find the perfect holiday present for your favorite home cook? Do you have a child at home that likes to play chef? Or a home cook that craves the latest kitchen gadgets? How about that home cook that loves to plan romantic dinners? Does your sister like to shake things up with some ethnic cuisine? You'll find gifts for all the home cooks in your life on my Reluctant Gourmet Shopping Guide. Check it out!

There are so many great products on the market these days that holiday shopping can get overwhelming. At the Amazon Store I've put together a list of my favorite cooking items that any home cook will appreciate finding in their stockings or under the tree. Instead of fighting the holiday crowds at the mall, stay at home to find the perfect holiday gift.

Let's look at some of the pros and cons of holiday shopping online. I understand why some of you may be skeptical to shop online, but as you'll see there are very few cons to getting your holiday gifts online.

Pros:

• Can do all the shopping from your office, home, even bed
• Much larger selection of products
• Amazon can show you similar products or recommend items
• Can price shop to find the best deal
• You will know if your item is in stock
• Can find online coupons
• Can get many things in one place without having to change stores
• Can see reviews of the items you're interested in

Cons:

• May pay for shipping- although many companies will ship for free if you spend a certain amount. Some have free shipping altogether
• Can't hold product to see how it feels (can be important for items such as kitchen knifes or cookwares)

Amazon began as a place to purchase books but it has turned into the Mecca of online shopping, selling everything from computer software to clothing to even groceries. By visiting my Amazon Store, you'll be sure to find the perfect gift for any type of home cook on your list. And, if you don't like what you've ordered, Amazon has a full refund return policy if you return the item within 30 days of delivery.

Happy shopping & Happy Holidays!