Let’s face it, while you’re off on your Walt Disney World vacation, there are often folks back home working hard to keep things in order: the teenage neighbor who stops in to water your plants, the kennel manager who makes sure your pup gets lots of love, the UPS guy who holds onto your packages for you, the teacher who prepares a special homework packet for your child so you don’t feel quite so guilty for taking him out of school, or the handyman who shovels the unexpected snow off your driveway. They all deserve a gift of thanks for their extra effort.

Lucky for you, Disney is the perfect place to shop — and it’s the perfect place to shop for food-related gifts. Hey, your dog-walker has to eat doesn’t he? Here are some ideas for thank-you gifts that you can get during your Disney travels.

Holiday Food Items as Gifts!

In the season of giving, Disney creates plenty of tasty holiday-themed treats that are perfect gifts for folks who need just a little something.

Emily J. on the Disney Food Blog Facebook page suggests using Disney holiday-themed Rice Krispie treats as stocking stuffers. I like the way she thinks!

Creating Themed Food Gift Baskets

If you’re looking to give something a bit more substantial, you can easily find items to assemble into a gift basket or bag.

Gift Basket Items for a Tea Lover

With the new Alice in Wonderland tea line, there’s plenty to fill a basket for a tea fan!

All of these items are available at the UK pavilion at Epcot. Throw in some Mickey shortbread and you’ve got the makings for a sophisticated afternoon.

Gifts for Friends with a Sweet Tooth

Earlier this year, my daughters and I undertook a “Candy Crawl” around Epcot, sampling a sweet treat from every land. After that post, several readers suggested that a basket of treats from each country would make a great gift. I agree!

If there’s a candy lover on your list, grab a chocolate bar (or two or three) from each of the World Showcase pavilions. Or, focus on a single country with a bounty of unique confections. Japan, Italy, and France are great choices. Throw everything in a Mickey bucket and watch that sweet tooth turn into a sweet smile.

To bulk up your bucket of goodies, you can add in some classic Disney DVDs for home viewing. Or, as a variation, you can fill a bucket with classic Goofy’s Candy Company sweets and Chip & Dale savories for sharing.

Gift Basket Items for the Home Cook

For a gift for an amateur chef, pick up some Mickey-themed kitchen tools (available at most larger park and resort shops).

If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, Bruce B. on the Disney Food Blog Facebook page suggests that you make one of your favorite recipes to bring along with your Disney food gift. His idea is a gift of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival Cookbook and a pot of cheddar cheese soup. I’m available for taste-testing any of your creations 🙂

Basket Ideas for the Beer Lover

To thank the guy (or gal) who loves a good brew, head on over to Epcot’s Germany pavilion. There you’ll find:

Gift Ideas for Wine Lovers

The Italy, Germany, and France pavilions at Epcot all sell dozens of special bottles representing their native lands. Throw in a cheese tray or a decorative apron to add to the merriment.

An Absolutely Fail-Safe Option

When in doubt, Disney fudge is a great go-to gift option. Wrap it tightly and it will keep for a week. And while you’re buying a box for your house-sitter, don’t forget to get a box for yourself as well. 🙂

We hope these ideas have sparked some creativity for your gift-giving this year! Don’t forget, some of these items can be purchased via Disney World Mail Order (407-363-6200 [email protected]), or through DisneyStore.com!

And don’t forget our Disney Food Blog gift certificates and e-Books! These are another great idea for Disney food fan holiday gifts!

What do YOU think is the perfect holiday gift for the Disney food fan? Let us know in the comments below.

Erin Foster is the Disney Food for Families columnist and a behind-the-scenes guru here at Disney Food Blog! Check out more of her posts here.