Penzeys Spices as a Christmas Gift... Good Idea?

[Wendy31]

Hi, everyone!

At Christmas, we normally give individual gifts to each of our nieces & nephews. And, for our brothers & sisters (& respective spouses), we normally do a "family" type gift. My sister & her husband do the same sort of thing. DH's brothers & their wives sometimes do & sometimes don't. So the gifts aren't extravagant or anything, more along the lines of "thinking of you at Christmas" type gifts, if that makes sense.

For reference, in the past years, we've done things like the following:

* Movie Night Basket
* Pancake Breakfast Basket
* White Yankee Candle in a Jar (winter scent) w/ a snowman ornament
* Bottle of gourmet BBQ Sauce from St. Augustine, Chocolate Seashells from St. Augustine, & a Seashell Ornament
* Minnie Mouse's Brownie Mix, Peppermint Flavored Coffee, & Mickey Head Ornament

Okay, so this year, I've had a hard time coming up w/ an idea.

I have some extra pillar candles that I recently bought & ended up not using (they're still new), but I've thrown away the receipt & can't return them. I thought I might could use those but needed something to go w/ them.

I just threw the question out to my 2 older kids to see if they had any ideas, & my DD suggested, "Why don't you put the candle w/ some spices or something?" Smart girl!

So, I was thinking the small "baker's gift set" from Penzeys w/ the candle & maybe a gingerbread ornament. Plus, the pillar candles are gold, so they match the box for the baker's set. I'm thinking I might get crafty & put some burlap ribbon around the candle w/ cinnamon sticks & maybe a pine cone or something & then wrap the candle & spice box in some gold netting & tie it together w/ raffia & a gingerbread ornament.

Anyway, I've never purchased spices from Penzeys before, so I'm little worried. Are the spices any good? Does this sound like an okay kind of gift? It can't be anything too expensive, because, like I said earlier, DH's brothers & their wives don't always give sibling gifts - but, since we never know if they're going to bring gifts or not, I always like to have something. But, on the other hand, my sister & her husband always give us a gift, so I don't want to be too cheap either. LOL!

Thanks!!

 

[kate_wdw]

Penzeys spices are good. Is that something that the recipient could appreciate - do they cook?

 

[Janepod]

Hi, everyone!

At Christmas, we normally give individual gifts to each of our nieces & nephews. And, for our brothers & sisters (& respective spouses), we normally do a "family" type gift. My sister & her husband do the same sort of thing. DH's brothers & their wives sometimes do & sometimes don't. So the gifts aren't extravagant or anything, more along the lines of "thinking of you at Christmas" type gifts, if that makes sense.

For reference, in the past years, we've done things like the following:

* Movie Night Basket
* Pancake Breakfast Basket
* White Yankee Candle in a Jar (winter scent) w/ a snowman ornament
* Bottle of gourmet BBQ Sauce from St. Augustine, Chocolate Seashells from St. Augustine, & a Seashell Ornament
* Minnie Mouse's Brownie Mix, Peppermint Flavored Coffee, & Mickey Head Ornament

Okay, so this year, I've had a hard time coming up w/ an idea.

I have some extra pillar candles that I recently bought & ended up not using (they're still new), but I've thrown away the receipt & can't return them. I thought I might could use those but needed something to go w/ them.

I just threw the question out to my 2 older kids to see if they had any ideas, & my DD suggested, "Why don't you put the candle w/ some spices or something?" Smart girl!

So, I was thinking the small "baker's gift set" from Penzeys w/ the candle & maybe a gingerbread ornament. Plus, the pillar candles are gold, so they match the box for the baker's set. I'm thinking I might get crafty & put some burlap ribbon around the candle w/ cinnamon sticks & maybe a pine cone or something & then wrap the candle & spice box in some gold netting & tie it together w/ raffia & a gingerbread ornament.

Anyway, I've never purchased spices from Penzeys before, so I'm little worried. Are the spices any good? Does this sound like an okay kind of gift? It can't be anything too expensive, because, like I said earlier, DH's brothers & their wives don't always give sibling gifts - but, since we never know if they're going to bring gifts or not, I always like to have something. But, on the other hand, my sister & her husband always give us a gift, so I don't want to be too cheap either. LOL!

Thanks!!

Penzeys is the best! I love them. We received a giant crate as a wedding gift and it was one of my favorite presents. We have a shop nearby that is just terrific. I would love this gift, personally. Do they like to cook? If so, they should be thrilled with this. Great idea!

 

[clh2]

I live in the Milwaukee area. We only purchase Penzy's spices. We were at one of their stores about 2 weeks ago

And - I am tempted to get DH a pepper grinder from Penzy's for Christmas.

The Penzy's link is here

On about page 54 of their catalog - they have some great gift sets. I have given the baking one (2 types of cinnamon, ginger,& nutmeg) is a nice set if anyone bakes. There are also sets for people who like to grill. (It looks like you've already seen this.)

I like their vanilla too.

There is free shipping for a $30 purchase right now. (listed on their home page.)

One of the spice mixes they have - Galena Street is sort of a nod to the beginnings of their spice store. I know this because my Grandma lived on this street when I was growing up. I remember going past a storefront with the big spice barrels in it!

Oh - and to answer your question - I think this is a GREAT idea!

 

[JessicaR]

Excellent idea! I know I would love it.

 

[shortbun]

We would like it but we cook a lot and although some of our spices get rotated quite often, others are old and need replacing. We don't always do it because spices ARE expensive and sometimes extravagant. Can you find out what they like to use somehow?
Are the candles scented? I wouldn't package scented candles with spices as the scent from some of those candles is pervasive and might foul the spice. Another idea would be a mortar and pestal with the spices. We use ours all the time.

 

[wowsmom]

I love Penzeys! I'm lucky enough to have a store about 20 minutes away, so as I've needed to replace spices, I've gotten them from Penzeys. Very good quality and lots of variety. I've given a few sets as gifts and they've always been well received.

Plus, the catalogs have some great recipes!

 

[johnsontrio]

That's what I'm giving for my SIL and BIL family gifts this year. I put together a 4 bottle set with Italian Herb, Sandwich Sprinkle, Greek (my absolute favorite for that grilled chicken) and RuthAnn's Muskegon. With the 4 bottle gift box, you also get the Cinnamon sticks, Nutmegs, and whole bay leaves. I plan on adding a few recipes.

My sister gave us an 8 bottle set one year. I had read about Penzey's here on the DIS, but never taken the time to go to the store. I can honestly say that gift changed our lives. We now make all our own salad dressings and it really ignited a huge interest in baking cookies on my husband's part. I think it's a stress reliever for him. I have found wonderful recipes through their catalog and all our spices come from them. The best part to me is how easy (and tasty) cooking becomes using their spice blends, and you don't find those in your grocery store.

I say go for it.

 

[Wendy31]

Thank you, all, for the replies!!

I know my sister & one sister-in-law bake & would use the spices. I'm not sure about one sister-in-law - she cooks, but I'm not sure how much baking she does. I know she & her husband (DH's oldest brother) grill frequently, so they might enjoy the grilling set better. I'm just not sure how to put that together in a gift w/ the candle. The other sister-in-law is younger than the rest of us, & she & DH's younger brother have only been married 3 years. But I think she does cook.

One reason I liked the baker's mini set is that it had 2 different cinnamons. Everyone uses cinnamon at one time or another, right? The other 2 spices are nutmeg & ginger. I have several recipes that call for nutmeg, so I was thinking the only spice that might not be used as much would be the ginger.

And I did think about the candles' scent. I'll have to check, but, IIRC, they don't have a scent other than "candle" scent. The spices are in jars, & the jars are in a box. So I'm hoping that the candle scent won't permeate the spices.

 

[wdwmom2]

I'm not sure about one sister-in-law - she cooks, but I'm not sure how much baking she does. I know she & her husband (DH's oldest brother) grill frequently, so they might enjoy the grilling set better.

You don't have to be a big baker to like Penzey's. They sell a lot of different seasonings that you can sprinkle on beef, poultry, seafood, and veggies.

I personally would love to get Penzey's as a gift

One of my favorites is the Brady Street cheese sprinkle. I use it on steamed veggies and cooked noodles.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Sounds good to me. I have never seen the spices here ever. Just looked it up and we have one. I might have to check it out.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Sounds good to me. I have never seen the spices here ever. Just looked it up and we have one. I might have to check it out.

I went for the first time at the mall in Albany. It was amazing!!! You can smell the quality. I couldn't stop smelling the cinnamon! Lol... I actually DID ask for a gift card OP!

 

[CaFeeney]

Great idea to give Penzeys! I love giving and receiving their spice sets. Right now on their website (and in the store) they have the Cooking gift box for $19.95 which is a great deal.

http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/CookingGift.html?id=NtDUSwWF

I have purchased three already for teacher gifts and for family. If you know of anyone that loves (or even likes) to cook you will find Penzeys a great resource.

Also be sure to sign up to get the catalogs, great recipes and stories in each. They usually also have a great coupon for a free new blend as well.

My favorite spices there are Tuscan Sunset, Mural of Flavor, Baking Spice, Ruth Ann's, Florida Seasoned Pepper, English Prime rib blend, and the Bavarian Seasoning. Honestly, everything is fantastic!

 

[luvmy3]

I live in the Milwaukee area. We only purchase Penzy's spices. We were at one of their stores about 2 weeks ago

And - I am tempted to get DH a pepper grinder from Penzy's for Christmas.

The Penzy's link is here

On about page 54 of their catalog - they have some great gift sets. I have given the baking one (2 types of cinnamon, ginger,& nutmeg) is a nice set if anyone bakes. There are also sets for people who like to grill. (It looks like you've already seen this.)

I like their vanilla too.

There is free shipping for a $30 purchase right now. (listed on their home page.)

One of the spice mixes they have - Galena Street is sort of a nod to the beginnings of their spice store. I know this because my Grandma lived on this street when I was growing up. I remember going past a storefront with the big spice barrels in it!

Oh - and to answer your question - I think this is a GREAT idea!

I have hinted to dh that I would like a Penzey's pepper mill in my stocking. We don't have a store around here, but one did open up where our families live so when we go up to visit I always make sure I mention it

OP, I would absolutely love a Penzey's spice gift, and since dh would get to eat everything I made, he would love it too
Once I started ordering from them, I have never looked back (into the grocery store spice aisle).

 

[powellrj]

I was just in there on Sunday and the $19.95 set is really nice! I told my DD about as a gift for my DSIL. She drew her name in the exchange and the limit is $25 so this is perfect!

 

[MrsDuck]

I'd be thrilled with Penzy's!!

 

[DisneyDizzy]

We go to Penzy's and Trader Joe's and fill a basket with spices and goodies for my Brother and Sister-in-law every year. They have already started dropping hints about what spices they are out of. It's always a BIG hit. They have a lot of fun going through the basket every year. We don't do the baking spices as much as the cooking spices. They love to cook but don't bake much.

 

[Ginny Favers]

Whew, I am glad you are all saying it's a good idea, because I have gift sets for my kids' teachers already wrapped and under the tree! It came with free Raspberry Enlightenment for me... which I have to say, is SO YUMMY.

 

[powellrj]

I forgot to add that when I was in there on Sunday, they told me that the new policy is that coupons are still good up to a year after they have expired and you can use up to 2 at at time! I still have lots of old coupons I can now still use!

 

[happygirl]

I wouldn't want spices If someone enjoys spice it should be a perfect gift