Brainstorming: Asian Food Gift Ideas

I know, it’s the last day of August. There’s still 116 days ’til Christmas according to Organized Christmas. This year, I promised myself, we would be more organized, and therefore, hopefully, more relaxed. Relaxed enough to celebrate the season — and the Reason — the way it’s meant to be. While Christmases past have not exactly been chaotic — we’ve managed to get some down time here and there, finish our shopping before the 24th, it hasn’t been ideal and I know we could make it so much better. So this year I’m making some of our food gifts earlier, and I’m looking for ideas! Right now I’ve got these on my list:

• Sinamak
• Achara
• Candied Sampaloc (tamarind) — using my aunt’s recipe; she had a candied sampaloc business back in the ’70’s
• Pastillas, but not just the milk kind, we’ll make fruity ones as well
• Ensaimadas with cheese or ube
• Tamari or wasabi flavored nuts
• Themed gift baskets for preparing an Asian meal, e.g., ingredients for Pad Thai or Sushi

What are your favorite Asian homemade food gifts?