Your friends can only handle so many festive ceramic dishes; resist the urge to give impersonal presents, and buy your loved ones gifts they’ll be eager to keep this holiday season. We’ve put together a list of five presents that will be sure to light up the eyes (and stomachs!) of the foodies in your life.

The Heritage Cocktail Passport: Heritage recently came out with a wonderful “passport” book of cocktail recipes created by their award winning bartender Mattias Hagglund. Available in a collection of 15 or 25 cocktails,we love this idea because you can make them at home yourself, or visit Heritage and get your passport stamped as a bartender serves it to you.

Tickets to the Virginia Wine Expo: It would be a crime not to give the gift of an incredible gourmet experience to an appreciative friend. A variety of food and wine pairing events are available for purchase, as well as tickets to the Grand Tasting, which will include over 600 wines to taste. This year, the guest region is Italy, so there’s a 100% chance it’ll be a delicious experience.

Donimique Ansel's Cookbook: As one of the top pastry chefs in the country, with his world famous cronut (a genius donut/ croissant hybrid) named as one of the 25 Best Inventions of 2013 by TIME Magazine, you can rest assured that there are incredible recipes dying to come to life within this cookbook. Also gift a personalized apron for flour protection, and be sure to stick around for a few hours after the exchange in order to reap the benefits.

Tickets to the Carytown Food and History Tour/ Carytown Sweets Tour: Did you know that last year, the founder of Saveur Magazine called Richmond the "next great American food city?” It’s true! Take advantage of the delicious local cuisine by gifting your loved one with a food tour or sweets tour through Carytown’s best restaurants. They’ll walk away with both happy bellies and fond memories.

Subscription to Edible Richmond Magazine: Edible Richmond is the region’s foodie bible, highlighting local chefs, artisans, and trailblazers of the city’s local food movement. Trust us, this is a publication with fabulous articles and recipes that your friends will anxiously wait to receive in the mail.

For more appropriate gifts for the gourmands in your life, and to support local business, try visiting Harvest Grocery & Supply or Ladles and Linens, both in the Fan. Between our listed ideas and the wonderful products in these shops, you’ll surely be able to put together a great gift fit for a foodie.

Photograph by Heritage