Holy fruitcake! The holidays are upon us already. And with cocktail parties, Christmas dinners, family events and office get-togethers, there comes the inevitable need to fork out a food-related (hostess) gift. In the “olden” days, that gift might simply have been a fruitcake. Of course, a bottle of wine is always popular, as are homemade food gifts (we like to give homemade fudge sauce or mustard).

But let's face it: There is scarcely enough time to do the shopping and the things we absolutely, positively must do, and that does not include making hostess gifts. So CityScene has scoured the city to find a variety of wonderful food-related gifts. Let’s go shopping…

Pistachia Vera (formerly known as Pistachio) offers more unique food gifts, spectacular desserts, and now, some new breakfast/brunch items, displayed in one of the most beautiful dessert cases anywhere. Pistacia Vera has a new location at 541 S. Third St., and a variety of new menu items that change with the season. Pistacia Vera specializes in beautifully packaged and presented items, some of which can be shipped anywhere in the United States.

Looks like cupcakes will be a hot hostess gift this holiday season. According to the New York Times, cupcakes are “retro-food chic, the thing to eat for people in the know ... an edible icon of Americana, frosted symbol of comfort and innocence.” And Columbus is on the leading edge with Our CupCakery, in Dublin, and Pink Moon Cupcake Bakery, in Powell, open just four months and selling 500 cupcakes a day. But these are not your mother’s cupcakes! These feature premium ingredients and gourmet flavors, such as Pink Moon's red velvet with cream cheese frosting, German chocolate and black bottom (dark chocolate layer topped with chocolate chip cheesecake, with cream cheese frosting), and sell for $2.50 each, with custom cupcakes going for more.

And who could discuss food gifts without at least a mention of specialty chocolates? Among many chocolate sources are Chocolad on the High Street Cap, Pure Imagination Chocolatier in the North Market, and Anthony Thomas (several locations), famous for their Buckeyes and more.

You may also want a gift for the holiday dinner table. For 120 years, Thurn’s Specialty Meats, 530 Greenlawn Ave., at I-71, has been cooking wonderful hams, smoked turkeys, smoked trout, housemade sausages and other tasty meats. Thurn's is open Thursday through Saturday. Mom Wilson’s, on State Route 23, north of Delaware, offers great smoked hams and some of the best breakfast sausage on the planet. And, of course, City Barbeque has hams, whole turkeys and smoked turkey breasts for the holidays.

Curds and Whey in the North Market has the best selection and knowledgeable advice on cheeses from all around the world, plus many other specialty food items, from paté to caviar.

Some of the more popular holiday gifts come from Krema Nuts at Goodale and Northwest boulevards in Grandview, including freshly roasted nuts of all kinds, good prices and gift packs.

Do you have a wine connoseur on your list? If so, consider a subscription to Wine Spectator magazine, wine openers, decanters, wine glasses, wine bags and more. Be sure to visit a wine store with knowledgeable advice, including Grapes of Mirth in the North Market; MacLaren Wines (two locations); Gentile's Wine Sellers (two locations); Twisted Vine, in Grandview; Spagio Cellars, in Grandview; The Anderson’s (two locations); Trader Joe’s, in Dublin and Easton; Vincenzo’s and Tutto Vino’s, in Dublin; and markets like Whole Foods, Sunflower and Huffman’s.

Another gift idea can easily come from Penzey’s Spices, located on Kenny Road, just south of Henderson Road. The shop smells great, thanks to six kinds of peppercorns, real vanilla and recipes, too! Or, check out the Spice Barn, on Whitney Drive in Lewis Center.

For dessert lovers, consider a Jeni’s Ice Cream holiday gift box, which includes six pints, a scoop and gelato spoons.

What about gifts for the foodie who has a full pantry or who is just hard to please? The Central Ohio Restaurant Association offers restaurant gift certificates. Backed by an escrow fund, there are no worries the restaurant will go out of business and no need to guess your Aunt Martha’s favorite cuisine. The gift certificates are good at more than 150 restaurants in the area. Call the Central Ohio Restaurant Association at 877-770-GIFT (4438), or log on to www.centralohiorestaurants.org.

For calorie counters on your list, skip the food and check out Columbus’ wonderful cookware stores instead. The Cookware Sorcerer, at 688 N. High St. in the Short North, offers friendly, knowledegable service, a great selection, and free "on-the-spot" wrapping, a must for last-minute shoppers. Other cookware stores with truly unique items include Sur la Table, Williams Sonoma and North Market Cookware.

How about a cooking class gift certificate? Columbus has a wide array of cooking classes, from Betty Litvak's classes in her home to cooking schools (Sur la Table, Williams Sonoma). Restaurants such as Handke’s Cuisine and Rosendales offer cooking classes followed by dinner with wine. Now there’s the ultimate hostess (or holiday) gift!

There are so many wonderful possibilities for gifts, I might just treat myself to a one! You should do the same. Happy holidays!

Steve Stover is a contributing writer for CityScene Magazine.

Holiday Gift Guide Bonus: Add a refreshing, healthy twist to the caloric bombardment of Christmas, by offering your hostess a fruit arrangement from Edible Arrangements. There are all kinds to choose from, even chocolate dipped for those who have been very good. Visit www.ediblearrangements.com.