Since the holiday season is SOMEHOW already here (WHERE DID THIS YEAR GO?) in lieu of our traditional Wednesday food news round up, we'll focus on some Holiday Gift Ideas for the DC Food Lover in your life (you know there is one). Also, a disclaimer: All ideas below are homegrown in DC restaurants, we didn't go down the road of cookbooks and more.

BOOKS!

• Jose Andres' DC food empire is offering four exclusive gift packages featuring his best-selling cookbooks, as well as DVD and CD sets of his popular Made in Spain television show on PBS, will soon be available.  The collections range in price from $60 to $150, and will be on sale beginning December 1, and available at all ThinkFoodGroup restaurants in the DC area.  For an added special touch, everyone is invited to stop by José Andrés’ book signing event at the Jaleo in Bethesda, on TONIGHT from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM, to personalize a gift package.

CLASSES!

• The Hour cocktailware store in Alexandria is hosting not 1 but 2 Holiday parties tonight (the RED PARTY  with Rachel Sergi, the Beverage Director @ Jack Rose) and on December 21st (the GREEN PARTY with Eric Holzherr, the owner of Wisdom) At $35 a pop, they're a great outing for you+your cocktail loving special someone.

• Cork Market is hosting their 2^nd Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party this Saturday December 10. They have two parties from 12-2 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. with gingerbread houses & all the candy/frosting to decorate, winter wines (for the adults), hot cocoa for the kids, holiday cookies and sweet treats from Chef Kristin Hutter and more. Make reservations by emailing events@corkdc.com. (photos below from last year's classes by Kimberly Cadena)
  

DESSERTS!

• Et Voila! and expert French pastry chef/co-owner Mickael Cornu is hand baking, rolling and decorating a variety of Bûche de Noël cakes available to order for holiday parties or to enjoy in the restaurant. They are SUPER delicious, stunningly visual and surprisingly easy to make. He has a few different varieties including a traditional hand-rolled version with chocolate ganache and hazelnut buttercream, and a unique, unrolled signature Et Voila bûche, with layers of seasonal flavors of caramel pears and chocolate atop an almond biscuit.

• on a similar note: Buzz Bakery is offering the traditional Buche de Noel for pre-order this holiday season as well as Sticky Toffee Pudding. Additionally, their recipes in a jar for Buzz signatures like Butterfinger Blondies, Hot Cocoa, and Nancy Bars are a great gift for anyone who loves a sweet treat.

• Want a different twist on the aforementioned BUCHE options? At PAUL they it into a delicious chocolate house giving a new meaning to “Home for the Holidays”! The chocaholics version is  available in the following sizes: Individual, 6 or 8 servings ($5.45, $39.95, $54.95) but variations of Buche Framboise (Nougat Raspberry Nougat Yule Log), Buche Poire Caramel (Pear Caramel Yule Log) and Buche Doucer (Sweets /Fruits Yule Log) are also available. Contact your nearest PAUL bakery – Penn Qtr or Georgetown – to place an order:  www.Paul-USA.com.

BEER!

• Over at Churchkey: Planet Wine’s Holiday Pops by Beer Guru Greg Engert featuring 12 Ales of Christmas, a collection of rare seasonal craft brews (in two separate six-packs) and two Three Wise Men packs (each with three large format craft beers).

MEATS!

• The Butcher’s Block will create custom-made food and wine gift baskets featuring a wide array of items available in the store. Baskets are made-to-order and personalized for each recipient.
• Red Apron Butchery will also be offering their handmade charcuterie is sizes best for the holidays including pocket-size salamis that make great stocking stuffers or whole items that when sliced are an easy appetizer at any holiday gathering

SHOPPING RELIEF!

• As part of Georgetown's MERRIMENT SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA (which kicks off this weekend), Georgetown's premier restaurants and sweetest shops will offer 12 days of culinary delight throughout Merriment. Restaurants such as Mie N Yu, Degrees Bistro and Sea Catch will offer $5 Shoppers Relief Cocktails and Menu Specials at the bar, while other merchants will offer special discounts and treats, like free mini-cupcakes at Sprinkles and Georgetown Cupcake, complimentary holiday cookies and hot chocolate at Paolo's, wine with crepe specials at Café Bonaparte and more. Many stores will also keep shoppers satiated and hydrated while finding the perfect gifts, with light snacks and refreshments at Michael Kors, cider and hot chocolate at Kiehl's, and Italian pastries and hot drinks at Scavolini.

let us know of any hot holiday food gift tips we may have missed in the comments, that's what they're there for, after all.

Previously in Weekly Food News Round Up:

• 3/28: Weekly Food News Round Up
• 3/8: Weekly Food News Round Up
• 2/23: Weekly Food News Round-Up
• 1/25: Weekly Food News Round Up
• 1/18: Weekly Food News Round-Up
• 1/11: Weekly Food News Round-Up
• 1/4: Weekly Food News Round-Up
• 11/30: Weekly Food News Round Up
• 11/21: Non-Traditional Holiday Recipe Round-Up
• 11/16: Weekly Food News Round Up