Because there's never fresh ground organic cloves on the table when you need them.

I think I just knocked a couple of gifts of my list with the Mobile Foodie Survival Kit spotted at Uncommon Goods. This purse-sized tin of organic herbs, spices and condiments will help the finicky eaters of the world better endure the indignity of rest stop fast food and and other culinary circles of hell. (What? No wasabi powder, Mickey D?) There's even a photographic key of all the spices along with their names - not that you can't tell your curry from your cayenne.

I only wish it came with an emergency little packet of real maple syrup, for those Sunday morning pancakes at the diner. Corn syrup? Blech.   -Liz

Find the Mobile Foodie Survival Kit at Uncommon Goods