Winter 2025 | Cover Story

Seasoned with Joy

Holiday foods for giving.

written by Nora Heston Tarte

We all know that the way to someoneโ€™s heart is through their stomach. Itโ€™s an old chestnut for a reason: When you prepare food for loved ones, you are nourishing them, satisfying their hunger, and engaging their senses. Thatโ€™s why giving the gift of food is a deeply personal, meaningful way to show how much you care during the holiday season.

As we enter the official holiday season, with all-in communal breaking of bread and giving of gifts, we offer several suggestions for curating culinary gifts that stand out, as well as preparing your own delicious, homemade treats that wrap up easily for gift-giving, from the perfect spiced nut mix to DIY bourbon-soaked cherries, preserved lemons, and decadent hazelnut bark. Or take advantage of the multitude of local culinary artisans working in the Reno-Tahoe area to assemble a customized basket of internationally themed culinary goods that is a feast for the eyes and stomach, to add a personal touch without spending precious holiday hours in the kitchen.

Whoever you buy for this holiday season, we hope the suggestions in these pages help to make your gift exchange experiences meaningful and memorable.

Homemade for the Holidays Stories


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