The Art of Giving Deliciously
By Laura McManus, President of Mackenzie Limited and Chesapeake Bay Crab Cakes & More
Gifts That Make a Memory
Every holiday season, I’m reminded that some of the most meaningful gifts aren’t the biggest or most elaborate—they’re the ones that create a moment. A quiet cup of tea and biscuits shared with a friend. A box of gourmet cookies opened after dinner. A grazing board of unique appetizers that brings everyone into the kitchen before a celebration even begins.
I think my love of gifting food started years ago, when I brought a simple homemade blackberry pie to a family gathering. It wasn’t fancy, but everyone ended up crowded around the table, laughing, tasting, sharing stories. I remember thinking, This is what a gift should do—bring people together without needing an occasion. That feeling has stayed with me, and it’s what inspires so much of what we create.
That’s why I love giving gourmet gifts today. Whether it’s our gorgeous Nostalgic Cookies, an artisanal Reserve Cheese Collection, or even a comforting Dinner for Two delivered right to someone’s door, each gift is designed to offer a little pause in a busy season. There’s something especially tender about sending a complete meal—no prep, no stress—just a warm evening enjoyed at home. It’s a gesture that says, “Take a moment for yourself. You deserve it.”
Savoring the Experience
Food has a way of slowing people down and bringing them together, and to me, that’s the heart of holiday gifting. A beautifully wrapped Merry Christmas Cookie Tin or a box of our best-selling Holiday Petit Fours (I love displaying like little presents with our Gingerbread Star Tree!) isn’t just a treat—it’s an invitation to linger, taste, and savor.
I love pairing delicious gifts with simple moments: petit fours with a glass of sparkling wine, a cheese selection enjoyed before a holiday meal, or a ready-made dinner shared after a long day. These moments aren’t elaborate, but they’re meaningful. And they often become the memories we return to long after the season ends.
Gifts That Truly Feel Thoughtful
One thing I hear often is how much people appreciate receiving something they can enjoy right away. Gourmet gifts feel personal without being complicated, and everyone loves food! They work just as well for a longtime client as they do for a close friend.
A Chicken Noodle Soup Care Package sent to new parents, a curated Simply Gourmet Collection chocked full of the finest foods delivered to a colleague who could use a lift, or even a small box of English Shortbreads for a host—these gifts feel warm and genuine. They say, I wanted to give you something you could truly enjoy. That’s the spirit I hope comes through in every gourmet food gift we offer.
Give the Gift of Taste
However you celebrate, I hope this season brings you moments worth savoring. Whether you’re gifting a basket brimming with treats, sending a cozy dinner to someone who needs a night off, or sharing some gourmet cookies around the table after dinner, these small joys connect us. That’s the real magic of the holidays—and why at Mackenzie Limited we love creating gourmet gifts that bring a little deliciousness to the special people in your life.
