returned. So if you're having a hard time finding Christmas gifts for those who seemingly have everything, consider food -- appropriate gifts for everyone. Trimingham's offers a bounty of gourmet gifts, which will surely delight the most discriminating of culinary connoisseurs. For chocolate lovers, golden packages of Truffettes Royales Fantaisie by Guyaux secured with festive green and gold ribbons make a perfect gift. Trimingham's also offers a large array of Mrs. Bridges Fine Foods from Hudson's Pantry including garden mint jelly, tasty mustard with horseradish, mustard with peppercorns, spiced peach chutney and tomato chutney with herbs. Or spice up someone's culinary prowess with a collection of spices -- a useful and attractive gift. The Spice Collection retails for $12.95 and includes garam masala, cumin, allspice, caraway, fenngreek seed and fennel. Larger spice baskets include coriander, juniper, whole chillies, cloves, black peppercorns, green peppercorns, fresh nutmeg and cinnamon as well as tea towels and spice utensils. Beautifully presented, they are priced at $45. Also handy are jams, jellies and marmalades, English teas, Indian foods, English biscuits and Danish cookies.

In addition, Christmas puddings are brought in for the Yuletide season.

Bermuda-oriented food baskets are also available and can make appropriate gifts for loved ones abroad, according to visual merchandiser Mrs. Maureen Bartley, who designs Trimingham's Christmas baskets. "We have Bermuda sherry peppers and Bermuda mints as well as Bermuda tea towels, chopping boards and cook books,'' she said. "We can also add something from another department to Tasty edibles make perfect gifts selection of products and have it made-up, said Mrs. Bartley. "Or shoppers can give a price range and product preference for their basket and I will make it up accordingly,'' she said. H. & E. Smith's also offers a wide selection of gourmet food items, which can be purchased separately or in pre-made baskets.

Dessert foods include chocolate covered pretzels, lemon crunch cookies and white chocolate peppermint bark. A variety of mixed fruits by Lomer Fine Foods are also available including a honeyed fruit selection, dates with almonds and summer honeyed fruits. Prices range from $15 to $32. Also available are Serendipity fruits like red fruits in cabernet sauvignon wine and tropical fruits in chardonnay wine -- both of which range in price from $7 to $31.

Dartington fruits in liqueur are also for sale at $16 a jar. Other specialties include jams and jellies, mustards, gourmet pasta sauces and chutneys. Apple cherry butter and peppercorn vinegar as well as various marinades including herb vinaigrette, hot and sour stir-fry sauce plus special marinades for different meats are also available. Likewise, Smith's exclusive line of condiments including quince preserve, red tomato chutney, banana chutney and pickled onions will surely please any gourmet food buff's palate. Miles Market on Pitts Bay Road offers a medley of specialty food baskets filled with fare from around the world. From fresh fruit and biscuits to pesto and pasta, Miles will provide pre-made baskets in time for Christmas or they will create the basket of your choice. A selection of fresh fruits with cheese and crackers are made to order, said manager Ms Molly McNichols. "And we can make up any other type of basket. "Often people will custom order baskets with champagne, caviar, capers etc.,'' she said. As well, Miles has a selection of theme baskets including ethnic foods like Thai, Indian or Italian fare. A Master Choice brand Italian gift basket may include pasta, pasta sauces, olive oil, Parmesan, pesto sauce and biscotti, said Ms McNichols. Another type of basket may tout tea time with a selection of afternoon teas, jams, biscuits and cookies. Pre-made baskets come in various sizes and range in price from about $30 to $50, noted Ms McNichols. Food clearly makes for both a tempting and tasty Christmas gift. And not only is it appropriate for most everyone, it is indispensable. So for undecided gift givers -- go for the grub! PHOTO A BOUNTY OF BASKETS -- Since fine foods make a great gift for the Christmas Season, Trimingham's offers a gourmet food custom-made basket service.