[Queensboy]

Hi,
My parents have been living in the Villages for over 20 yrs every year for Christmas I usually send a gift card to their favorite restaurant in the yrs past I would send various items that they cannot get from back home NYC. My folks miss some of the foods that they can only get from here. My question is what can I send them from NY that still to this day cannot be bought down in the Villages ....I know such items like bread and bagels are always welcomed but hard to ship and maintain quality. My parents are very Italian an my mom approaching 80 yrs old still cooks daily she always says she misses fusilli pasta and certain whole tomatoes in the can but I was told that over the yrs many of these items have been available any suggestions on what I can send down that ships well and that they can't get from up north? Any ideas would be helpful thank you all!

[Wiserbud47]

You might want to consider giving them a gift certificate to "Brooklyn Bagels", a store we have here in the Villages. You can call them at (352) 674-9000. You can also read about them at brooklynbagels.com. We come from Long Island and think the bagels are very good.

[rayschic]

Originally Posted by Wiserbud47

You might want to consider giving them a gift certificate to "Brooklyn Bagels", a store we have here in the Villages. You can call them at (352) 674-9000. You can also read about them at brooklynbagels.com. We come from Long Island and think the bagels are very good.

That's a good idea. I'm from Brooklyn and I think the bagels are good, too.
They even have Brooklyn Egg Creams made with U-Bet chocolate syrup.
Their website is brooklynwaterbagels.com.
Here's a link.

Food

[Ecuadog]

I am relatively new to The Villages and I also have certain food cravings that must be satisfied.

So far…
I get my bagels from Brooklyn Water Bagels.
I get my wedge of Boar’s Head parmesan (don't knock it... etc.) at Publix.
I get my hot and my sweet sausages from Toscani’s in Mulberry Grove.
I get my Columela extra virgin olive oil at Fresh Market.

I order my Agostino Recca anchovies from SuperMarketItaly.com.

Maybe you could order up a package of pickings... salami, cheese, olives.

I'd kill for a good loaf of Italian bread.

[DougB]

You would probably be the best gift. Why not surprise them with a Christmas Eve visit?

[ncarvalho]

Oh boy.... I love to cook like your Mom, and Italian is my favorite type of meal (although I am Brazilian). I live in Virginia and I am trying hard to be in TV for the Christmas Season. As a suggestion, do you have how to send her a jar of homemade marmalade? You have store bought, but I have not seen homemade.
I make all from scratch, from Italian bread, pappardelle, fresh linguine with homemade pesto, gnocchi , biscotti, orange and grapefruit (red ruby are the best!) marmalade... And that is what I would be making if I am there... hopefully in a few weeks!
:-)

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Queensboy

Hi,
My parents have been living in the Villages for over 20 yrs every year for Christmas I usually send a gift card to their favorite restaurant in the yrs past I would send various items that they cannot get from back home NYC. My folks miss some of the foods that they can only get from here. My question is what can I send them from NY that still to this day cannot be bought down in the Villages ....I know such items like bread and bagels are always welcomed but hard to ship and maintain quality. My parents are very Italian an my mom approaching 80 yrs old still cooks daily she always says she misses fusilli pasta and certain whole tomatoes in the can but I was told that over the yrs many of these items have been available any suggestions on what I can send down that ships well and that they can't get from up north? Any ideas would be helpful thank you all!

The best gift of all....is YOU.


Does she have a Skype camera so that she can see you when you talk?


OR..Pictures of YOU in taken all around the old town in an album...or one of those wonderful electronic devices that switch them every few seconds.


A painting of you that you had done by one of your local artists of not great stature...they are quite affordable.


Or the best ever...YOU, in a Santa hat on her doorstep.


You are the very spirit of Christmas to long to find just the right thing.


Merry Chrismas, good son.

[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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