by Kari Nichols

Eating is something we all do -- when we're hungry, when it's meal time or when we're bored. Dining is the delight we take in eating some special, tasty, wonderful food, not just a boring fulfillment of a growling stomach or necessary nutrition. Those who love food and love to share that affection may be called "foodies." For them, food may be simple but is never plain. There is always a special sauce, an herb or a preparation technique that makes ordinary food a treat for the palate.

For these folks, a gift of appreciation may seem daunting to select, but in reality, there is an endless array of products that will tickle their fancy -- and their taste buds. Skip the utensils, cookware and gadgets -- unless you have specific inside information of a very reliable nature close to that person. Most foodies will have plenty of tools and gadgets.

Recipe books tend to be uninteresting to many foodies, unless you locate something very special from a style of cuisine they crave, such as Hawaiian cooking, wild game recipes or Middle Eastern dishes. The exception is for those with special cooking needs, such as gluten-free, diabetic or kosher. In those cases, most foodies have exhausted the available recipe books and would only enjoy something very new that they haven't acquired yet.

To make those foodies happy, as well as those who entertain guests frequently, a first stop would be a local gourmet shop. Lining the shelves are jars of fabulous dips, sauces, seasonings and exclusive products not generally available in grocery stores.