Last Minute Gift Idea: Wine Glasses

on December 22, 2008 at 10:59 AM

Need a last minute gift? I got this idea after hearing Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, the wife-and-husband team who writes the Tastings column in the Wall Street Journal, on the radio. They like to give a set of beautiful yet inexpensive wine glasses to their friends and family. Why is this such a versatile idea?

People are often afraid to use their wine glasses because they are so easy to break. That's why in their NPR interview Dorothy and John love to give wine glasses as presents with a note that says, "Use them. Break them. We'll give you more next year." They recommend all-purpose, everyday glasses. And bigger is better, so you can swirl the wine around a generous, lovely glass.

Here are a few places with reasonably priced sets:

Cost Plus World Market: Vintner Pinot Noir Wine Glasses, Set of 4, $39.96
Target: Polycarbonate Red Wine Glasses, Set of 6, $17.99
IKEA: Optimal Red Wine Glasses, $1.99 each

Also, be sure to check our our guide to buying cheap wine for the holidays.

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.