‘Tis the season for list making, shopping, wrapping and of course, giving. The internet is exploding with “gift guides”, so naturally we have to join in on the fun. We’ve curated the top picks for all things food and fun below. Cheers to the brightest (and tastiest) season yet!

Luma + Prato Gift Cards: Returning again this season, buy $100 in gift cards and receive a $20 bonus to keep for yourself…err, gift in addition to that $100 card. Pair with their 9 Courses Cookbook for the ultimate fine dining package.

Dunkin’ Donuts: Because you can’t technically gift a cup of coffee to the java lover in your life, we’d suggest picking up a gift card and these adorable mug-shaped lip balms.

(Photo @beautybyralu)

Mini Beer Pong: Gift a tiny party with this itty-bitty game. It’s like a pop-up party in a box! Available online here.

Wine Folly: For that wine “expert” in your life, give the gift of wine knowledge. This easy to digest, informative and fun book breaks down the mysterious world of wine. Buy one for yourself perhaps and impress your friends at that annual ugly Christmas sweater party.

giddy paperie Mugs: Shop local and score an adorable mug from this Winter Park studio. We’re exceptionally fond of the “Banish the Bah Humbug” design.

Peterbrooke Chocolate Baskets: Ranging from $50-$200 these cocoa assortments are sure to brighten their faces.

4 Rivers Smokehouse: In Florida there’s no “off season” for grilling, so this Pitmaster kit is sure to bring flavor and cheer to a loved one’s holiday season. Just make sure you add a gift card in case the whole grilling thing doesn’t work out.

The Coop’s Whitney Miller: Following her great-grandmothers’ examples of creatively stretching meals during the Great Depression, Whitney Miller transforms recipes from her Southern roots, preserving flavors of traditional family dishes while offering the excitement of her own special touches. She offers a taste of her family table with dishes, such as PB&J Chicken Satay, Sweet Corn Grit Tamales, and much more. Using new techniques and cooking methods, Miller reimagines classic recipes and experiments with flavors from around the world, inspired by her travels since winning MasterChef.

Corkcicle: From a College Park garage, to nationwide fame, this company was born in Orlando. Now expanding to a myriad of drink products, there’s something for everyone in their collection. They even have a canteen that keeps drinks cold for 25 hours and holds an entire bottle of wine. I’ll take one in every color, please.

Photo Credits: From each respective business. 

The magicians of the Orlando Magic NBA team, SeeMagicLive, are celebrating their Sixth Annual Festival of Magic on Saturday, November 28, by transforming the private halls and dining rooms of Orlando’s beloved steakhouse, Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster into The Magic Mansion.Setting the scene for mysterious experiences fueled by illusion, SeeMagicLive magicians will perform close-up and sleight-of-hand prestidigitation for intimate groups as they make their way through the rooms of The Magic Mansion.

After fooling Penn & Teller on their hit TV-show, “Fool Us” Kostya is performing alongside Penn & Teller at their theater in Las Vegas on November 15th, then returning home to bring the Magic Mansion to life at Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster.

The festival explores the visual art of magic and challenges pre-conceived realities of the human mind. Guests can choose from three two-hour shows or a private four-course dinner and magic show, courtesy of Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster. Talent includes SeeMagicLive CEO & Founder Kostya Kimlat, among others.

Magic enthusiasts will recognize Kimlat from Penn & Teller’s hit TV show, “Fool Us.” After successfully fooling them on air, Kimlat joins the pair at their theater in Las Vegas on November 15th, before returning home to bring the Magic Mansion to life at Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster.

WHEN: Saturday, November 28, 2015. Shows starting at: 12, 2 and 4 p.m. Dinner show starts at 6 p.m.

 COST: Show experience tickets are available for $35. Four-course dinner & show experience tickets are available for $122 at www.orlandomagicmansion.com

Sushi is truly an art, and after taking a class at Dragonfly working to perfect the craft, we are still total novices. It’s all very precise, from the consistency of the rice to slicing the final product. We were fortunate enough to learn from the best during a sushi making class last weekend at Dragonfly. The first event of its kind open to guests, but one that’s been offered previously to corporate and private groups.

For $60 per person, the entire class enjoyed champagne, appetizers, multiple sushi rolls and chicken from the robata grill in addition to superior sushi knowledge.

The class started with rice prep and we quickly moved into rolling four different rolls ranging from beginner and building up to more advanced methods. We started with a simple tuna roll and picked up a tennis ball size of rice. Then, we spread the grain evenly over the seaweed with careful care not to mash the rice.

Next up, the fish and vegetables took center stage as we learned the appropriate way to layer the ingredients ensuring evenness across the roll.

Afterwards, we rolled and formed the sushi, something exceptionally more difficult than it would appear. Then, the slicing begins with an uber-sharp knife that continuously cuts the roll in half until you have eight beautiful pieces.

After all that hard work across several rolls we feasted on our creations! The team at Dragonfly took us through four different rolls and then treated us to some shishito peppers and chicken from the smoky robata grill. Don’t miss Dragonfly’s next sushi making class, it’s perfect for a group of friends or a day date. Who knows…..you might just find your new calling as a sushi chef.

While Central Florida may be known year-round for theme parks, its growing culinary scene is putting Orlando in the spotlight as well. PEOPLE magazine recently named Orlando one of its “foodiest” cities in America.

On Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 6:30 pm, Four Seasons Resort Orlando chefs are pleased to join forces with legendary chefs from across the country. Capa will host a James Beard Foundation celebrity chef tour dinner, featuring award winning talents including:

• Gerard Craft, 2015 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef-Midwest, known as St. Louis’ preeminent chef-restaurateur at flagship Niche as well as at Brasserie by Niche, Taste and Pastaria
• Edward Lee of 610 Magnolia in Louisville, Kentucky and Top Chef
• Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia in Chicago, Illinois, Top Chef Masters and James Beard Award winner for Best Chef Midwest
• Michael Sullivan of Creekstone Farms Beef in Arkansas City, Kansas, formerly of Blackberry Farms, Tennessee
• Norman Van Aken, of Norman’s restaurant in Orlando, Florida and James Beard Award winner for Best Chef South East
• Stefan Riemer, Pastry Chef, Food & Beverage Development, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
• James Tidwell, Master Sommelier, of Four Seasons Resort in Las Colinas, Texas
• The special guests will accompany host chefs:
• Fabrizio Schenardi, Executive Chef, Four Seasons Resort Orlando
• Rabii Saber, Executive Pastry Chef, Four Seasons Resort Orlando
• Tim Dacey, Chef, Capa restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Orlando

The eight-course dinner menu includes: 

• Course 1: Beef carpaccio salad by Chef Michael Sullivan
• Course 2: “Bass Under Glass” red wine reduction sauce under a potato torta by Chef Norman Van Aken
• Course 3: Roasted winter squash, spiced squash puree, squash vinegar caramel, seeds, Missouri goat cheese and mint by Chef Gerard Craft
• Course 4: Ravioletto filled with crescenza cheese, brown butter, parmigiana reggiano, white truffles by Chef Tony Mantuano
• Course 5: Veal cheeks braised in Barolo chinato; polenta and roasted chestnuts “chicche” by Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi
• Course 6: Seared ribeye, gochujang butter, grits, radish bottarga by Chef Edward Lee
• Course 7: Imported cheese display presented by Chef Tim Dacey
• Course 8: Gianduja-citrus crèmeux with dehydrated milk foam and vanilla Chantilly by Stefan Riemer

The phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime meal is available for USD 235 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. For reservations call 407 313 6161 or buy tickets online.

This might just make the perfect Christmas gift, right? Hint, hint.

Photo Credit: Four Seasons