When you don’t know what to say,
you can always count on food — the ultimate comfort gift

There are times in our lives when we want to tell someone how much we care about them but can’t find the right words to say.  If this has happened to you, remember that you can always count on food to be the ultimate comfort gift.

That is the underlying reason why friends and neighbors deliver gifts of food to a family that is experiencing a loss even though the giver may not realize it.  That casserole, desert, or bucket of fried chicken is saying “I care about you” without the person delivering the gift saying a word.

Think about that box of chocolates that is sent on Valentine’s Day to someone special.  Isn’t that a way to say “I care about you” whether it is sent to a spouse, a lover, a grandparent, or even a friend?

Comfort Gifts are Gifts From the Heart

Of course, there are other ways to express your concern, support, and appreciation for someone other than gifts of food.  You could send a spa gift basket to a friend or loved one to help them relax and comfort themselves.

Teddy Bears  also are comforting gifts, particularly if combined with a gift of food — such as cookies with inspirational messages.

An appropriate book that you know someone would enjoy can be a comforting gift at times of grief, loss or stress.

Flowers can cheer someone up while comforting them as well.  A bouquet of flowers with bright yellow sunflowers can be a great comfort gift.

But the Ultimate Comfort Gift is a Gift of Food

We all have memories of a time or place where we enjoyed food with someone we cared about.  How about baking cookies in the kitchen with mom or grandmother?  Or that hamburger you experienced with that first boyfriend?  What about the smell and taste of the donut shop that you and your school friends frequented after school or a ball game?  Or the fried chicken at the church potlucks?   I’m sure that you have similar memories of times and places where you enjoyed food with someone special.

I’ve been eating lunch at the Senior Center here in Flagstaff (and, yes, at 82 years old, I am definitely a senior) for several years now.  The food is good and reasonably priced but the most important part is the socialization with friends that I have made there.  I now even associate some of the people with foods they love.  For example, Ernie is a black man who grew up in Mobile Alabama and is one of the kindest men I love.  He loves watermelon but hates zucchini.  Whenever we have stewed tomatoes, I think of Mary, another friend who is from Iowa.

Have you ever had someone say to you, “Let’s go have a cup of coffee” when something bad or upsetting happened at work?  Just the idea that someone cared enough to want to be with you and share a cup of coffee can be the most comforting thing that you felt all day.

When it comes time to give that comforting gift of food, you have many options.

You can cook or bake at home or buy something from a restaurant or grocery store and deliver it to that special someone.

Or you can buy a food gift online and have it sent to them with your own personal message.

Here are some ideas to help:

1. A gourmet food gift basket
2. A specialty cake
3. Cookies Gift Ideas
4. A coffee or tea gift – depending on their preference
5. A basket or tray filled with assorted meats and cheeses
6. If they prefer junk food to gourmet, snacks will be their comfort food.
7. Encourage them to start their day with breakfast.
8. Or end the day with an Italian Dinner or a Chili Dinner.
9. A box doughnuts and coffee from your doughnut shop or grocery store and take the time to share with them.
10. A decorated cake or pie

Whatever you choose, you can be assured that a little comfort food can go a long way.  Food is an important way of caring.