Gifts of Taste

With only a little more then a week left until Christmas, the pressure is on.

But breathe easy: We have some great last-minute gift ideas for the foodies left on your list. Among them is something to fit every budget.

Some are “instant” gifts. With the Chef’s Toolbox, for instance, there’s no need to deal with wrapping paper; just add a bow. The same goes for the Champagne and the recipe card holder.

Need a stocking stuffer? Take a look at the hand graters, candleholder, chestnut puree, cocktail mister and chef’s pins.

Delight the kids on your list with the Mickey Mouse musical toaster. The hostess on your list will cherish the delicate Czechoslovakian glasses or the Venetian glass bowls.

And the hard-to-buy-for foodie? There’s but one answer: the singing Elvis box of chocolates.

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RECIPE STICK-UP

If one of your favorite cooks has a recipe card collection with more than a few food stains, she will appreciate this recipe card holder. Just clip the card to the hand for easy reading high above the mess. The holder comes in a box ready for giving. Available in silver-plated or brass finish.

Card holder, $19.50, from Paperwhites, 956 Mission St., South Pasadena; (626) 441-2196.

A REAL MAN’S TOOL KIT

This cool metal toolbox of kitchen utensils contains a slotted spoon, solid spoon, pasta server and slotted turner. Already packaged, the box needs just a ribbon tied to the handle before it goes under the tree.

Circulon toolbox set, $29.99, from Macy’s stores and Gottschalk’s, Palm Springs.

MICKEY MOUSE APPLIANCE

Kids (and adults) are going to love the Mickey Mouse musical toaster. It toasts two slices of bread with an imprint of Mickey’s face and plays “It’s a Small World” when the toast pops up. Now they’ll want to eat breakfast.

Mickey Mouse Musical Toaster, $79, from the Disney Store at South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa; Century City Shopping Center, Los Angeles; Montclair Plaza, Montclair; and Del Amo Fashion Center, Torrance. Or call (800) 237-5751 or go online at www.disneystore.com.

LIGHT COOKING

A conversation piece for the kitchen, this votive candleholder is made of glass and framed by black metal featuring cutouts in the shapes of kitchen gadgets: whisks, mixing spoons, casseroles, chef knives, bread knives and forks.

Candleholder, $13, from Oakville Grocery in Healdsburg and other Northern California locations; call (800) 973-6324 to order by mail or go to www.oakvillegrocery.com.

GREATER GRATER

Palm graters from Chef’n are fun gifts and great stocking stuffers. They come in translucent colors like “planetary purple,” “neptune blue” and “starlight white.” Hold the grater in the palm of your hand for easy grating of cheese, chocolate and ginger root and let the storage base collect the grated food. Dishwasher safe.

Grater, $14.99, from select Bed, Bath & Beyond stores; Cook ‘N Stuff, Torrance; Olcotts, Bakersfield; Rains department store, Ojai; and online in the kitchen store at www.amazon.com.

CHESTNUT PUREE

The gourmet on your list is sure to be pleased by this Italian chestnut puree from Fondo Di Toscana. A lightly sweetened thick puree, it contains chunks of chestnuts. Spoon it over vanilla ice cream and top it with a dollop of whipped cream and a shaving of chocolate for an elegant but easy dessert.

Chestnut puree, $17.99, from Picholine, 3360 W. 1st St., Los Angeles; (213) 252-8722.

MISTED, NOT STIRRED

This cocktail mister is just the gift for the martini aficionado. It is small enough to tuck into a pocket, purse or suitcase. A funnel comes with it for easy filling.

Cocktail spritzer, $15, at Williams-Sonoma stores.

CONVIENCE SIPPING

The perfect hostess gift for the perfect hostess just may be the French Champagne Veuve Clicquot Magic Box. The champagne bottle is packaged in a colorful box that opens into a gold foil ice bucket. Fill it with ice and you’re set.

Champagne Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, $62.99, from Wally’s, 2107 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 475-0606; the Wine House, 2311 Cotner Ave., West Los Angeles, (310) 479-3731; and Mel & Rose, 8344 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 655-5557.

CHEF’S PIN-UPS

The foodie in your life will appreciate sterling silver culinary pins. The handles on the rolling pin are 18-karat gold. Pop one in a stocking for a nice surprise.

Knife and steel pin, $84.95; rolling pin, $59.95; chef’s knife, $45; and chef hat pin, $30.95, all plus tax and shipping, from the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, St. Helena, Calif. Order by phone at (707) 967-1100. Will ship within 36 hours of receiving order.

BOHEMIAN HAND-BLOWN GLASSES

These hand-blown glasses from Czechoslovakia are reminiscent of antique European glassware. They would add an elegant touch to the dining table.

Bohemian glasses in clear, amber and fern green, $20 to $28, from Windows, 601 E. Green St., Pasadena; (626) 356-7502.

VENETIAN GLASS BOWLS

Created by award-winning jewelry designer Dorian Webb, Venetian glass bowls are unusual gifts for giving. Glassmaking techniques dating from the 14th century were used to craft them. They can be attractive additions to the holiday table or remain on display in a china cabinet or on a shelf.

Venetian glass bowls, 10-inch bowl, $180, and 6-inch bowl, $98, from Freehand, 8413 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles; (323) 655-2607.

TREE TOASTER

Need a last-minute gift for the office, a friend or a hostess? Add a colorful ribbon to these large Christmas tree ornaments--one’s a toaster, the other, a martini glass--and you’ve got a gift that will bring a smile. Or hang them as decorations in the kitchen.

Christmas tree ornaments, $19.95, from Sur La Table stores.

ELVIS IN A CAN

On the lid of this two-pound tin of chocolates, a photo shows Elvis at the piano with a Christmas tree behind him. When you open it, a sound chip inside plays “Santa, Bring My Baby Back.” The recording quality is scarcely hi-fi, and the chip seems a little fragile--handle the tin carefully or it may start to play erratically--but, hey, it’s the King singing from among your chocolates. And with its musical announcement that somebody’s getting into the chocolates, this tin might also encourage discipline among weight-watchers.

Russell Stover Elvis Christmas Tin, $19.95, at stores where Russell Stover candies are sold.

Times Staff Writer Charles Perry contributed to this article.