We all have a friend who is totally worthless in the kitchen.  Actually, if you don’t have a friend like that, read on, because I have enough friends who meet that description to share at least one of mine with you.

The gift recommendation that I’m about to make for him is rather expensive, so be prepared.  I assure you, though, that you will that it is a very sound investment on your part.  Maybe it’s your son, or nephew, or uncle or your roommate who just refuses to leave.

Try giving him a truly romantic dinner for which he never has to leave the house or apartment.  Hopefully he’ll be able to find an appropriate date with whom to share it.  When you get right down to it, nothing impresses an unsuspecting date more than an intimate dinner that the host has prepared himself (with your encouragement and careful guidance, of course.  Now, the friend I’m thinking of needs all the help he can get in this regard.  Give him specific directions for this.  You know candles, subdued music, the whole thing.

He can begin the evening with the first part of your present, a gourmet cheese for the beginning course  If he is capable of slicing a couple pears or apples, suggest that as well.  He can serve this course as a finger food or at the dining table as the formal beginning of the meal.

For the entree, present him with a certificate for a fine, gourmet lobster dinner or perhaps a surf and turf meal, if he is a beef fanatic.  Since this man needs so much help, you will want to be certain that the lobster is as fresh as possible.

Tell him to cap off the evening with a magnificent, gourmet turtle cheesecake.  Or, if he does not like chocolate, then select the more traditional New York cheesecake, decorated with a sprig of fresh mint.

If he drinks alcoholic beverages, do not trust him to choose the wine for the dinner.  Lobster is very hearty fare, so don’t be afraid to suggest he pair it with a bold wine such as a Merlot or even a Burgundy.

Now, sit back and wait for the inevitable wedding invitation.  If it doesn’t arrive within six months, just find another friend.  That will be much easier.

A few days ago, I talked with a family friend who recently learned that his huge manufacturing company was closing his plant. He is actually more fortunat than most of his co-workers. He very recently reached the magic age at which he qualifies for early retirement, so he will continue to have a steady (although much smaller) income. Those who did not reach that milestone of the specified number of years with the company will get a small severance package and be left to search for a job in that difficult market. That caused me to think about giving gifts for special occasions to those people who are experiencing difficult economic situations. I came up with a few ideas that make more sense than a piece of home decor or a new tie. Here are some of them:

A gourmet fruit basket is healthy, beautiful, delicious and always enjoyed. If you live near your gift recipient, you can find a lovely basket or other attractive container and fill it with fruit that is in season in your region of the country, obtained at a farmers market, and fill it out with a few exotic fruits picked up at your local super market. If your loved one is farther away, you can arrange for any of a large range of beautiful fruit gift baskets to be delivered to the recipient’s home. It will help them to reduce their grocery bill on their next trip to the super market.

A special meal is another way to remember a birthday or holiday. One possibility might be to take the friend or family member to a popular local restaurant. If price is no object to you, be sure to recommend a couple of the more expensive entrees on the menu, so that your guests know that they should not worry about ordering what they want. For example, you might say something like, “The crab legs are wonderful here, but, if you don’t like seafood, try the tender and tasty filet mignon.” If they live too far away for that, you can actually find delicious, gourmet, chef-prepared meals online that arrive frozen and can be heated in almost no time. (I actually keep my freezer stocked with these.)

A final recommendation is a scrumptious dessert. Now, lets face it, nobody should indluge in too many desserts, but on a birthday, anniversary or holiday, everyone deserves a chance to feel a little pampered. Bake cookies, if that is a skill of yours, and hand deliver or have them delivered. For something a little more special consider giving them a delicious pie or a New York cheesecake. Whether you make it yourself or have others do the work for you doesn’t matter. It will be appreciated and definitely enjoyed either way.

You’ll notice a common feature in these suggestions. They all involve food. Someone who is going through a difficult time may not want to accept charity, but nobody can reject a genuinely special gift. If it reduces the grocery bill by a bit, so much the better.