Have you started shopping for gifts yet?  We’re still in November and some people are already well into their shopping while others have barely given it a thought.   I made my first few purchases yesterday and I thought I’d share some of them with you in case you’re looking for ideas or inspiration.

The first is the cup and saucer with a variety of teas. I love that the saucer is leaf-shaped and the perfect size to hold both the cup and some cookies or biscotti to go along with your tea.

This idea is so easy to steal, personalize and adapt to your price range.  All you need is a beautiful tea cup and saucer, an assortment of interesting teas or coffee, some cellophane and a festive bow.

The second idea is a cookbook.    The French bistro recipes in this one are so beautifully presented and made my mouth water.  Although recipes are all over the internet now, it’s always nice to hold a book of recipes in your hands and leaf through, especially when the pictures are well done. There are so many cookbooks out there for all skill levels and with so many different themes that there’s something for everyone.

For a DIY project, a small hand-made book of favorite family recipes is a lovely idea to pass on to family and close friends.  This one may be  a little more time-consuming but is sure to be appreciated.

Last, but not least, is this cake in a cup kit. It’s great that the ingredients are included and the instructions for a quick and novel dessert are easy to follow. What’s even better is the fact that you will be able to repeat the recipe using the two oven-safe porcelain cups anytime you want. I think just about anyone would get a kick out of a treat like this and, again, these types of kits are available at all sorts of price points, or you can put them together on your own at home.