Especially for the entertainers, gourmet dips and sauces in a wide variety of flavorings can be appreciated for versatility and usability. This can make spontaneous entertaining a breeze: open jar, add vegetables or crackers, and enjoy.

Dips include those based in fruit, cheese, flavored oils and mustards, to apply to nearly any occasion. If a recipe using that product is included, so much the better. Entertainers also appreciate wines and cheeses, the essence of appetizers. A variety selection of cheeses is best, unless your host or hostess has a specialty. A wine professional may be your best guide, unless your host has a penchant for the adventuresome.

Seasonings make many foods special. Imagine eggs without salt! The range of seasonings includes gourmet mustards, herbs special to ethnic cuisine and sauces. For your Latin food specialist, a fine grade of saffron may be desired. For those who love Middle Eastern foods, exclusive curry might delight them. And if desserts are special -- as they are to most everyone -- whole vanilla beans are an irreplaceable delight.

Vanilla is farmed and processed in only a few places in the world, and the extracts vary greatly in flavor. Most foodies have a favorite, with Tahitian, Madagascar and Mexican at the top of the list. If you don't know which one is preferred, get a selection of them for your foodie to indulge in.