• Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Contact Me

ABCs and Garden Peas

Central PA lifestyle blogger. Real food, family, PA travel and entertainment.

Categories

Archives

Search

  • Crafts & DIY
    • Crafts
    • Kid Crafts
    • Gifts
  • Family Fun
    • Read, Watch, Play
    • Disney
    • Activities
  • Travel
  • Recipe Collection
  • Style
    • Kid Style
    • Mom Style
    • Beauty
  • Around the House
    • Home
    • Tech
    • Garden

December 7, 2015 By Wendy 21 Comments

Build a Better Foodie Gift (& Tuscan Herb Olive Oil)

This best foodie gifts post has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BIGSeason #BigLots #CollectiveBias

Have you been to Big Lots lately? If not, get in your car now! There are more foodie-friendly finds there than ever before, and it’s prime time for creating some spectacular holiday gift baskets…and gift jars, and gift platters, and a smorgasbord of other great gifting ideas! On top of saving money, you’ll save lots of time because you can get every single thing you need to create the best foodie gifts to please all palates with one simple trip to Big Lots.


But you may have noticed that the title of this post mentions two easy steps… Let me explain.

Best Foodie Gifts: Big Lots

In my family, we tend to be pretty practical during the holidays, but we do like to splurge, too. That’s why food gifts are always a favorite. (Well, that and we’re Italian, so you can never go wrong with food, holiday or not.)  But for me, the best food gifts contain a little bit of homemade magic, too. So…

Step 1: Head to Big Lots First

Step 2: Add a Homemade Touch

Nothing personalizes a gift of great quality foodie finds like a heartfelt creation from your own kitchen.  This year, I tossed around the idea of homemade biscotti, meringues, or scones. But after my trip to Big Lots where I found lots of olive oil and cute bottles to put it in, I knew exactly what to do with the herbs I had dried from our summer garden.

Herb-infused oils are so easy, and when you can buy the ingredients at Big Lots, they’re really inexpensive, too. Choose a blend of herbs and/or spices you like, and just add them to the oil! This one is a Tuscan blend, with lots of garlic, basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme.

Homemade Tuscan Herb Olive Oil Blend (made with ingredients from #BigLots!) #BIGSeason @BigLots Click To Tweet

Best Foodie Gifts: Tuscan Herb Olive Oil

Sundried tomatoes are another great addition, but you’ll want to score or slice both those and the garlic to help release the flavor a little more quickly.

Once everything is in the bottle, just pour the oil over top. Let it infuse for a few days, then enjoy!

Best Foodie Gifts: Tuscan Herb Olive Oil

Best Foodie Gifts: Tuscan Herb Olive Oil

4.4 from 7 reviews
Tuscan Herb Olive Oil
 
Print
Prep time
5 mins
Total time
5 mins
 
Author: Wendy Cray Kaufman
Recipe type: condiment
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
  • i bottle olive oil
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 4 sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1 large sprig rosemary
  • 1 large sprig basil
  • 1 large sprig oregano
  • 1 large sprig thyme
Instructions
  1. Slice garlic and score tomatoes to release flavor. Add all ingredients to oil; allow flavors to infuse for a few days before using. Flavors will intensify over time.
Notes
Pour onto a shallow plate and top with grated Parmesan. Serve with bread for dipping.
Wordpress Recipe Plugin by EasyRecipe
3.4.3177

I found everything I needed to create this yummy herb oil at Big Lots (except for the herbs. I used my own, but you can definitely grab them while you’re there if you need them.) And this is the part where I admit that my gift idea went about a million different directions before I finally settled on one. There was just SO much to choose from.

With all the jars and bowls, mugs and dishes, baking pans and cutting boards, my head was spinning! Some themes I considered for a gift were: Morning Muffins, Wine and Cheese, Crock of Chili, Tailgating Favorites, Movie Night Snacks…and the list goes on. When I saw the mug display, all I could think of was Home Cafe!

Best Foodie Gifts: Big Lots

But then I saw this cute decorative drawer, and I knew it was the perfect way to hold everything from breakfast to dinner, and it would be reusable and pretty practical, too. No wasteful gift bag to throw out!

Best Foodie Gifts: Creative Kitchen

Big Lots carries tons of name brands, and my local store had lots of imported specialty items, plenty of organics, and an entire wall of Bob’s Red Mill grains and mixes! I had to narrow it down, so I chose a 10-Grain pancake and waffle mix, black bean soup mix, Italian sea salt breadsticks and Tuscan seasoning, and finished it off with a set of bamboo utensils. No dessert on this one, but oh, I could have! The specialty cookie aisle at Big Lots is my own personal heaven.

At Big Lots, you really never have to sacrifice quality for price, and I was able to buy enough to really round out a gift I was proud of for my sister-in-law.

Styles and assortment vary by store.

Best Foodie Gifts: Big Lots

When you stop at Big Lots, be sure to check out the seasonal section – that’s where I found all my bows, ribbons and tape!

Best Foodie GIfts: For the Home Cook

The Best Foodie Gifts the Pizza Lover, too!

But that’s not all I got! I got more than one bottle, and I’ll be using the same Tuscan Herb Olive Oil in a pizza-themed gift, too! Big Lots had great quality pizza ingredients (including a Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-free Crust Mix and some organic seasonings) and a great pizza baking stone to hold it all. And who doesn’t love pizzelles?! Score for my brother! (Note, these bottles don’t have oil yet because I don’t want to risk spilling it this far before Christmas.)

Best Foodie Gifts: Pizza Lovers

I hope you’re feeling as inspired as I was after my trip to Big Lots. I’m heading back with my husband next week to finish shopping for our bosses, the mail carriers, the kids’ teachers and my mother-in-law! We’re going to the same line, too, because our cashier was super friendly and I think we’re besties now. 🙂

For more great gift inspiration from Big Lots, follow them on Instagram and Pinterest.

Like this recipe? Find more in my recipe archives.

Are you a foodie? What’s your favorite food gift?

Related

Filed Under: Condiments, Gifts, Recipes, Shop Holiday Gifts 2015 Tagged With: condiment, food gifts, gift, gifts, herbs, holiday, recipe, tuscan olive oil

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    December 7, 2015 at 11:00 am

    I love infusing olive oil. It’s a great way to add flavor to any sautee or fry. Thanks for sharing this.
    Jennifer recently posted…Gift Ideas for People Living the Fit LifeMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says

    December 7, 2015 at 11:47 am

    I love dipping bread into oil mixtures. This sounds awesome.

    Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    December 7, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    We dont have a Big Lots that close to us so I don’t shop there often. Those prices are fabulous though and looks like they have a really big selection
    Jennifer recently posted…Little Charmers “Charmers Chow”My Profile

    Reply
  4. Danielle says

    December 7, 2015 at 2:08 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing this! I have to find a Big Lots near me because I have been wanting so much stuff I see in your pics. New coffee mugs, dish sets, and I’ve really been wanting a dispenser for my olive oil, which I use almost daily. It’s super easy to make me happy, haha.
    Danielle recently posted…#MakingDogsSmile With Jones Natural ChewsMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Jeanette says

    December 7, 2015 at 2:23 pm

    What a great idea! I have a few foodie friends that would never do this for themselves but would love it.
    Jeanette recently posted…How to Make Your Own Canvas PicturesMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Vera Sweeney says

    December 7, 2015 at 5:00 pm

    I love this foodie gift idea! Homemade gifts are the best, and looks like I need to get to Big Lots it’s been a while since I have been!
    Vera Sweeney recently posted…Daily Diary: Saying Goodbye To A Family TraditionMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Jeanine says

    December 7, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    This is so great! This would be a great gift idea for my sister in law who is a HUGE foodie. I think she’d really appreciate this too, it’s a lovely gift.
    Jeanine recently posted…Pure Hazelwood to The Rescue! #PureHazelwoodMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Jenna Wood says

    December 7, 2015 at 7:05 pm

    Wow, I’d love to receive a gift like this! We love shopping at Big Lots, especially around the holidays.

    Reply
  9. Ann Bacciaglia says

    December 7, 2015 at 9:45 pm

    These are great gift ideas for any food lover. I will have to make some infused oils.

    Reply
  10. Tammi Roy says

    December 7, 2015 at 9:46 pm

    I love to give homemade gifts. This is a great idea. I want to try making this recipe for myself. It sounds delicious.
    Tammi Roy recently posted…Nerf for the HolidaysMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Onica {Mommy Factor} says

    December 7, 2015 at 10:10 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing this awesome post. This is really a perfect gift for mommy’s.
    Onica {Mommy Factor} recently posted…First Experience of Dolby Cinema Technology at AMC Prime Theaters #DolbyCinemaMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says

    December 7, 2015 at 10:13 pm

    I love spices or oils the best but, any foodie gift would do for me. Your Tuscan oil looks delicious.

    Reply
  13. Liz Mays says

    December 7, 2015 at 10:23 pm

    Wow that olive oil looks awesome! I’d definitely be using it for bread. I need to pop into Big Lots sometime soon!
    Liz Mays recently posted…Christmas in Carolina with King’s HawaiianMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Jody Smith says

    December 7, 2015 at 10:56 pm

    What a cute gift idea for anyone! I had no idea they carried such a variety of items!

    Reply
  15. Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says

    December 8, 2015 at 2:48 am

    These are perfect gifts for the foodies in your life! They’re just hand-crafted enough to be special!

    Reply
  16. Janis @MommyblogExpert says

    December 8, 2015 at 3:02 am

    I just love that bottle you found at Big Lots that you use to store and serve tuscan dipping oil. I’ve bought many unique kitchen and table ware items there and will have to look for this the next time I shop.
    Janis @MommyblogExpert recently posted…Target $200 Giftcard Giveaway – Enter DAILY to Win Worldwide, Ends 12/28/15My Profile

    Reply
  17. Kelly Hutchinson says

    December 8, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    What a beautiful gift idea! I think I need to drop a few hints and get one for myself.
    Kelly Hutchinson recently posted…Cheesy Bacon Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake Featuring Ragu® Pasta SauceMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Amy Desrosiers says

    December 8, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    I love this so much! I would totally love to receive this awesome package too!
    Amy Desrosiers recently posted…Functional, Stylish Tech Accessories at WalgreensMy Profile

    Reply
  19. Summer Davis says

    December 8, 2015 at 11:54 pm

    OMG DELICIOUS! I absolutely LOVE artisan oils, but I’ve never made my own. I’d be super happy to get this as a gift, and Big Lots ROCKS. [client]
    Summer Davis recently posted…A Quaint Holiday Party How-To for the Underachiever who Wants to Look Like an OverachieverMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Maggie Branch says

    December 9, 2015 at 9:01 am

    I love herb infused olive oils! I agree with you that a gift with a homemade touch is the best kind of gift.

    Reply
  21. Shauna says

    December 9, 2015 at 10:02 am

    Oh my goodness, I love, love, love this idea. I had no idea what to get my Step-Mom for Christmas because she has everything, but this is just perfect. Plus, I was planning on going by Big Lots to get some other things, as well. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe:  

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Search

wendy
Food Advertising by logo

Food Advertising by logo

Amazon Associates Disclosure

This site's owner is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Footer

Categories

Archives

View our Privacy Policy.

Recent Posts

  • Starting the New Year Smart with a Fossil Smartwatch
  • Lemon-Filled Blueberry Cheesecake Truffles
  • Boozy Orange Cranberry Sauce
  • Seasonal Spa Packages at MeltSpa by Hershey
  • Pear Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Caramel Frosting

Copyright © 2021 ABCs and Garden Peas· Built on Genesis Framework · by Beyond Blog Design using WordPress · Log in