Careful what you wish for: Taste

What would the holiday season be without food? Time is running out to indulge in your favorite goodies before New Year's resolution time comes around, so Otis the season for culinary gifts. Gift certificates to restaurants or dessert shops (think Ben and Jerry's or The Mad Hatter's) are guaranteed winners. The more adventurous and creative can head to Fowler's Gourmet, a fountain of epicurean bliss in Brightleaf Square, for yummy gift baskets. The pre-made ones range in price from $15 to $100 and vary in theme from chocolates to North Carolina-made products, to the festive Santa Snack Basket, or you can opt to create your own basket from Fowler's wide selection of gourmet foods and kitchen equipment.

But alas, all too often we find ourselves searching for a present for the person who already has it all. Why not tap into that holiday spirit and give a gift in his or her name to someone who really needs it? This Saturday night, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. several campus organizations are hosting a Relief Dinner for Afghan refugees in Von Canon. Your $15 ticket fee ($20 for non-students) will go directly to relief efforts coordinated by Islamic Relief Worldwide to help Afghan refugees survive winter. Now there's a gift that will warm your heart and someone else's tummy.