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Last Updated: Sep 2nd, 2008 - 19:12:01 |
(ARA) – Hoping for a gift that inspires intimacy? Forget lingerie. Looking for a token that says “I thought of you – in a big way”? Skip the electronics and skip the jewelry. For personal, versatile gifts that shout luxury, more Americans than ever are turning to food.
In the past few years, food gifting has increased 56 percent, according to a report by MarketResearch.com. In fact, food appears in three of the most popular growing gift categories, including indulgent gifts, gifts that can be shared and gifts that are sure to please, the report says.
“Food gifts are gaining in popularity for several reasons,” says Keith Lauver of Montana Legend, a company that sells gourmet beef.
“First, food is a pretty safe gift. You may not know a person’s favorite color, but chances are you know if he or she likes chocolate or steak or fruit.
Second, it’s easier than ever to send food – through the mail or delivery services like FedEx.
Third, it’s a gift that giver and recipient can share in, if they so choose.”
What are the hottest luxury food gifts this holiday season? You can probably predict some of the top entries, like chocolates or fruit. But some selections, such as gourmet beef, may surprise you – and tempt the palate of that hard-to-please person on your gift list.
Can’t Miss with Chocolate
More than half the U.S. population prefers chocolate over all other flavors. For 20 percent of adult Americans, chocolate is their top indulgence, according to a 2006 ABC News poll. In fact, boxed chocolates are the most popular food gift, given by 48 percent of those polled in the MarketResearch.com study.
While classic brands remain popular for holiday shoppers, gourmet brands like Godiva, Ghirardelli and Mackenzie Limited have turned the traditional box of chocolates into an exotic, upscale, luxury item.
Fruit is Still Fine
Fresh fruit is a much-loved holiday tradition – be it a box of clementines from Florida or succulent pears from Harry and David. Presentation and selection have gone upscale in recent years. More exotic fruits are appearing in holiday gift baskets and companies like Edible Arrangements have put a new twist on presentation by putting fruit into arrangements that resemble floral bouquets.
Fruit gifts also fit well into another growing trend in food gifting – organic or healthful foods. “Fruit is a luxury item than can also be viewed as healthful,” Lauver says. Purveyors such as Whole Foods already offer organic and health-oriented food gifts, including fresh fruits.
Meat Makes the List
Americans, on average, eat more than 67 pounds of beef in a year, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. Yet at the holidays, many families forego beef in favor of fowl – like turkey or duck – deemed more traditional.
The tide is turning, however, at least when it comes to giving food as a gift. Companies like Montana Legend that supply consumers and top-notch restaurants with premium dry-aged Angus beef find their sales spike during the holidays. Vegetarian Americans notwithstanding, luxury beef -- the kind you can find in a fine dining establishment, but not in your grocery’s refrigerated case -- is a much appreciated gift, it seems.
“From 14-day-aged steakburgers to 28-day dry-aged prime rib roast, premium cuts of meat can easily be delivered to the door of anyone on your luxury item holiday list,” Lauver says. To learn more about premium dry-aged beef and how to give it as a gift, visit www.montanalegend.com.
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