Do you want to give the gift of macarons? Whether your BFF's birthday is coming up, a beloved coworker is ready to retire, or you just want to say I love you to your significant other, take a look at what you need to know before you order macarons for somebody else.
Does the Gift Recipient Have Food Allergies or Sensitivities?
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), nearly 32 million people in the U.S. have food allergies. This includes 26 million adults and about 5.6 million children. While you might know whether your spouse, sister, best friend, or someone else you are close to has a serious food allergy or sensitivity, you may need to ask a coworker or another gift recipient who you know casually.
The AAFA notes that the most common food allergens are soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, and shellfish. You may not need to worry about a macaron containing sesame, fish, or shellfish. But you may need to watch out for the other top allergens. Along with foods that cause an allergic reaction, you should also ask the gift recipient if they have sensitivities to ingredients such as gluten.
After you know what allergies or sensitivities the gift recipient has (if any), you are likely ready to choose and order the macarons. To learn more about allergen-free or gluten-free options, ask the baker or bakery staff for an ingredient list.
What Flavors Will the Gift Recipient Enjoy?
Before you select the sweets, stop and think about the flavors. Macarons are available in a rainbow variety of flavors that fit almost every type of taste.
If you're not sure which option to choose, start with these questions:
Does the recipient prefer classic flavors? If the recipient has classic tastes or you just aren't sure which flavors they will enjoy, stick with traditional options. Vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel, and strawberry are classics and safe bets.
Does the recipient have a super-sweet tooth? All macarons are sweet. But some have a more sugary taste than others. A birthday cake or cookies and cream confection is the perfect gift for a sugar-lover.
Does the recipient enjoy fruit flavors? A refreshing lemon or berry macaron can brighten your friend or loved one's day in a naturally sweet way.
What should you do if you're not sure which flavors are the best picks for a gift? Instead of one option, select a gift box or tower with an array of flavors. Talk to the baker about assortment alternatives and ways to include several different tastes.
How Many Macarons Should You Get?
This question has no universal answer. When you choose macaron towers and gift boxes, you may want to consider:
Your budget. How much can you reasonably spend on the gift? You may want to spend more if it's an important occasion (such as the birth of a baby) or you have a close connection to the recipient.
The gift design. A tower with a half a dozen macarons can be less than impressive. Think about the overall design and shape of the gift before you settle on a number of treats to include.
The flavors. Do you want to try a multi-flavor gift box? The more flavors you choose, the more macarons you will need to include.
The gift recipient. Along with the occasion and the significance of the recipient (or closeness), think about the person's typical eating habits. If they only indulge in treats once a week, a gift box of several dozen macarons may go to waste.
Will you send the gift to a recipient during or before a larger event? Macaron gift boxes for baby showers, bridal showers, corporate events, retirement parties, family reunions, and other larger occasions usually require more sweets. If several people will enjoy the gift, add more macarons to the mix.
Do you want to learn more about macaron flavors and ordering options? Contact Chelles Macarons for more information.