Gift Giving Guy

The ancient Greeks called it xenia — the sacred duty of hospitality — often met with an exchange of gifts. Nearly 3,000 years later, this gift exchange is still alive and well in Excelsior, Minnesota. That’s where my wife and I recently stayed with relatives. On our arrival, my sister-in-law gave us a decorative ceramic spoon designed by Rae Dunn. In the guest room, we found a package of Gemmies, chocolate-coated sunflower seeds in 16 brilliant colors from Gourmet Gems.

In thanks for the hospitality, we brought her family a four-jar set of Ethnic Milwaukee spices from Penzeys Spices, which includes:

• Old World Seasoning (an all-purpose seasoning salt)
• Brady Street Cheese Sprinkle (a garlic-cheese blend for pasta and garlic bread)
• Galena Street Rub (a Southern-style rub for chicken and ribs)
• Fox Point Seasoning (a mix of shallots, chives and scallions for poultry, eggs and vegetables).

We also found gifts for our niece and nephew, but I’ll save that for another post.