That time has arrived once again...what do you give for holiday gifts and hostess gifts? What a silly question, food of course! Based on much feedback, our readers rely on the Food411 directory to guide them to finding the best resources. At this very hectic time of year we will be giving you extra help, our Food Gift Picks lists. We taste and taste all year long to bring you our picks to make your holiday season enjoyable not stressful.

Chocolate Lover’s:

Brown Paper Chocolate – When we first tasted these one of kind chocolate cubes studded with liquors, nuts and herbs we “blogged” about our experience immediately. Not only are the flavor combinations mind blowing, the concept of a square of chocolate to be served like cheese is just genius. Shave the chocolate with a cheese slicer – to serve with wine or cheese, or to use as a accent over desserts. The white chocolate flavor combinations pair well shaved over salads. Very unique gift. $6.99/each

Vosges Haute Chocolat - Give their 2 story very chic hat box filled with exotic caramels covered in chocolate.Our tastings of these were pure bliss. $37

Perfect for Stocking stuffer’s: their adorable & delicious “Library” of mini exotic Candy bars will satisfy any chocolate aficionado. Give the gift of 9 exotic flavors all boxed up.

Charles Chocolate – They have created a beautiful painted edible jewel box filled with their very special chocolates $60 & Charles’s Triple Chocolate Almonds are simply addictive, perfectly roasted and triple coated in their high quality chocolate $12.

Robin’s Chocolate Sauce – A rich, all natural organic chocolate sauce, perfect for a stocking stuffer or hostess gift for a chocolate addict. Having a jar of this delicious chocolate sauce allows them to always have their fix. It is perfect for a small indulgence, just dip a piece of fruit into the warmed sauces – absolute heaven. $8.95/jar

King’s Cupboard’s Spiced Orange Cocoa – Available from Cocoa Connoisseur ( a terrific resource for all things related to the world of hot cocoa!) We love King’s Cupboards’s hot cocoa because it is filled with chucks of chocolate, and all natural. The spiced orange mixes in natural orange essence – a perfect addition to rich chocolate. The aroma alone will have your gift recipient in heaven. $7.95/tin

Slip a few chocolate bars into the stocking or tie a few up with a pretty ribbon for a hostess gift. We recommend Chocolove’s Chilies & Cherries in Dark Chocolate or for the Dark chocolate purist, Amano Artisan Chocolate bars are very hard to match.

Chocolate Gourmet’s Damn Good Cookies – Well, how do we describe these cookies? The name says it perfectly, they truly are “damn good”. Homemade goodness, nicely boxed. Excellent gift for the cookie monster on your list $26/20 piece box

Meat is always Merry...

Niman Ranch – Their meats are just plain delicious. So tender and full of flavor. We tasted tested their pork chops and rib-eyed steak – very juicy, you really can taste the difference.

Send their “Steak Sampler Gift Pack” $94.95 – 2 12oz rib eyes, 2 8 oz. Top Sirloin Steaks, and a 24 oz. Porterhouse. A perfect gift for the meat lover.

Sayerbrook’s Buffalo Top Filet Steaks – Low in fat and loaded with protein, bison is a great alternative to beef. Tender and a delicious flavor. Makes a great gift for the heart healthy foodies - 4 6oz $32

Send an “Ole English Christmas Dinner” for 2 -$90. We believe that Gourmet Station has perfected the art of delivering gourmet gift meals from “soup to nuts”. They don’t just ship delicious food , they create an entire experience. From the elegant way that the meal is packaged and shipped to the thoughtful printed menu that they include, your recipient will be impressed from start to finish. Includes: Rosemary Sourdough Boule, Creamy Tomato Basil soup, Beef Wellington - Fillet mignon enrobed in pastry with demi glace sauce. Served with creamy spinach & artichokes. Chocolate Truffle, European Blend Coffee & candy.

During this crazy time of year “meal bundles” would be a wonderful treat for yourself, or a very thoughtful gift for seniors or any busy family. 5 five chef prepared meals for 2. $154

Magic Kitchen.com makes them easy to reheat, they are delivered frozen and require no cleanup. Each entrée comes with vegetables and a dessert. We have tried several of their meals and found them to be very easy to heat up and very good quality.

Just about everyone loves Florida citrus, it is always a welcomed gift. We have been recommending Sunharvest’s citrus since we discovered their unmatchable orange juice. Their Honeybells are a very special citrus. To say that they are JUICY is still an understatement. They make a great gift. Your gift is announced at the holidays with a card and a bottle of honeybell jam and then they are shipped in January – the only month that honeybells are available. $46.90

Sunharvest also offer Key limes pies that are simply perfect. They shipped them 2 pies to a pack $24

For Cheeseheads:

Redwood Hill Farm – their “sample pack” makes a perfect introduction to their delicious artisan cheeses. Feta, Aged Sharp Cheddar, Smoked Cheddar (approx 1/3 lb ea), 4 oz Camellia, 3 oz Crottin & 4 oz. tub each of Plain, Garlic Chive, & 3-Peppercorn Chevre. $30

For the Java lover:

Café La Semeuse’s Gift Box -1 bag each of Classique & Decaf, 1/2 lb of Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans, and a Mocca Bar in a yellow gift box. $32. Their coffee is a favorite of ours, so smooth.

Make your holiday season enjoyable, Point. Click. Eat. - Food411 will have the best food finds for you. All of us at Food411 wish all of you, a warm and stress free holiday season. Here’s to many more yummy food finds in 2008!